Experiences in the Nordics

The Nordics are more than city breaks. Here you can drive a husky team under the aurora, step onto a rock ledge 600 metres above a fjord, ride a train across Hardangervidda and plunge into the harbour after a sauna. We have gathered the best experiences in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, with practical advice and the hotels right where the experience happens.

All our guides link to hotels and tours. The links are partner links, and if you book through them Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Northern lights and the Arctic

Winter in the north is dark, cold and utterly magical. Our guides to the aurora, huskies, whales and ice.

• Where to see the northern lights: the best places in the Nordics

• Husky sledding in Norway and Lapland: drive your own team

• Whale watching in Norway: sperm whales, orcas and humpbacks

• Things to do in Svalbard: snowmobiles, glaciers and midnight sun

• Ice hotels and glass igloos: the most unusual stays

• Lapland and Rovaniemi: Santa and winter adventures

• Tromsø in winter: cable car, aurora and polar night

• Iceland: the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon

Fjords, mountains and hiking

Norway’s most famous hikes and fjords, with everything you need to do them safely.

• Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten: the Lysefjord hikes

• Trolltunga: Norway’s famous rock ledge

• The Lofoten Islands: fishing villages and sea cabins

• Besseggen: between the green and the blue

• Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen: fjord cruises and hairpin bends

• Norwegian fjords: the most beautiful fjords and cruises

• Glacier hiking: walking on the ice at Jostedalsbreen

• Senja: Segla and Norway in miniature

• Via ferrata: iron paths in Loen, Romsdalen and Odda

• Voss: rafting, the gondola and extreme sports

Rail and road trips

Some of the world’s most beautiful journeys run on Nordic rails and roads.

• The Flåm Railway: from mountain to fjord

• The Oslo to Bergen train: across Hardangervidda

• The Atlantic Road: a coastal road trip

• The Göta Canal: by boat or bike across Sweden

Saunas, cities and culture

Hot saunas, Tivoli in lights and Christmas markets with mulled wine.

• Saunas in Oslo and Bergen: floating saunas and fjord dips

• Tivoli Gardens: the seasons and hotels by the gardens

• Scandinavian Christmas markets: five cities, five markets

Nordic experiences FAQ

What are the best experiences in the Nordics?

The northern lights in Tromsø and Lapland, a cruise on the Geirangerfjord, the Pulpit Rock hike, the Flåm Railway and husky sledding are among the most popular.

When is the best time to visit the Nordics?

Winter for the northern lights, huskies and Christmas markets, and June to September for fjords, hiking and road trips.

Where should I stay to experience the Nordics?

Each guide has hotel recommendations close to the experience, from fishermen cabins in Lofoten to glass igloos in Lapland and fjord hotels in western Norway.