Destinations Northern Europe Europe

Discovering Scandinavia

From Norway’s landscapes to Sweden’s cities, Scandinavia enchants at every turn. Join us for a holiday worthy of a fairy tale

5 min 06 Oct 2025

Editorial Team

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Cool, cultural and captivating – a cruise to Scandinavia takes you off the beaten path and onto an entirely enchanted one. Our shore experiences bring you closer to the rich culture, picturesque landscapes and warm hospitality that define this extraordinary region through adventures crafted by local experts.

Denmark

In Denmark, chilly but magical winters give way to beautiful summers when the sun seemingly never sets and parks and beaches swell.

There’s so much to see in the beautiful capital city of Copenhagen, so why not soak it up from the unique vantage point of its waterways? On the Copenhagen, Canals and Christianshavn shore experience, you’ll hop aboard a canal boat for a cruise around the harbour where you can take in sights such as the Little Mermaid statue, Opera House and Danish Parliament before exploring the picturesque neighbourhood of Christianshavn on a guided walk.

Denmark’s most northerly town, Skagen, has long inspired artists with its windswept landscapes and soft light. To fully discover this unique town, join the Top of Denmark shore experience to see the charming painted fishermen’s houses (Skagen has a proud fishing heritage), the Buried Church consumed by sand dunes, and the museum filled with local art.

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Copenhagen, Denmark

Norway

For some cruisers, Norway might be best known for the beautiful fjords along its west coast. But to miss other parts of the country is to miss beautiful towns and villages, cosmopolitan cities and even more jaw-dropping scenery.

A former European capital of culture, Stavanger boasts an impressive mix of museums, galleries and events celebrating Norway’s rich heritage and acts as a gateway to the country’s spectacularly scenic Fjordland. It’s also known as the 'Cradle of the Vikings’, and you can join the Stavanger Highlights & Viking Voyagers shore experience to learn more about the city and its Viking past. Drive out to the Ullandhaug viewpoint for magnificent panoramic views before heading to Viking House to experience the Viking Age in virtual reality.

Nestled within seven mountains and seven fjords is Bergen. As Norway’s second-largest city, it combines the natural beauty you’d expect from Norway and the cosmopolitan culture you’d expect from a sizeable city. On the Heights and Highlights shore experience, you’ll take in the city’s most famous landmarks before heading to the summit of Mount Ulriken, where you can enjoy spellbinding views across the city and its surrounding natural beauty.

A trip to Norway isn’t complete without discovering its capital city, Oslo. It’s easy to explore on foot or on two wheels – there are plenty of green spaces to enjoy as well as modern architecture, museums and restaurants for trying local specialities such as brunost (sweet brown cheese) or smørbrød (open-faced sandwiches). Leave the planning to a local on the Oslo on Foot shore experience, where an expert guide will take you past famous landmarks and traditional timber houses.

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Akershus Fortress Oslo Norway

Sweden

There’s a reason Sweden regularly makes the list of the world’s happiest countries. With vibrant, walkable cities and nature on your doorstep (some 65% of the country is forests, and there are nearly 100,000 lakes), life here is a beautiful balance.

Stockholm is one of Scandinavia’s most beautiful cities. An archipelago of some 30,000 islands surrounds it, offering a stunning entry as you sail into port. Head inland to discover the city’s beautiful architecture (City Hall, designed in the Swedish Grace style, and the neo-Renaissance-style Royal Opera House are highlights) and interesting galleries and museums (visit the Vasa Museum with its massive, reconstructed ship for maritime history or the ABBA Museum for pop culture). To help you cover many of the highlights, join the Stockholm by Land and Sea shore experience to see the sights and cruise the waterways.

A small but perfectly formed UNESCO World Heritage town, Visby offers a wealth of picturesque attractions, from haunting medieval ruins to limestone ramparts and charming lanes of painted houses draped in roses. To learn more about the town and surrounding areas, we recommend joining the Visby by Bike shore experience. Under pedal power, you’ll get to see the Botanical Gardens, the Powder Tower (AKA the Kruttornet) and Almedalen, the old Hanseatic harbour, before heading south through the countryside and coast.

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Södermalm district in Stockholm, Sweden

Finland

Although it’s not part of Scandinavia, Finland is often grouped in with the region because of its location and cultural similarities.

Surrounded by the sea and its own archipelago, the Finnish capital of Helsinki is as appealing to nature lovers as it is to culture seekers. The seafront, a vibrant patchwork of markets, saunas and even sandy beaches, gives way to a compact but cosmopolitan city centre that’s packed with great cafés and restaurants and interesting design. First ports of call for architecture buffs include the jaw-dropping Temppeliaukio Church, AKA the ‘Church in the Rock’, or the striking Finlandia Hall, designed by renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. If you’re hoping to head further out of the city, you could join the Kayaking Adventure shore experience to explore the archipelago, where you’ll discover islands and diverse birdlife with a stunning maritime backdrop.