Whether or not Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo or Helsinki, Reykjavík and Tórshavn – Scandinavia has some cool and relaxed locations to supply: ideas for probably the most lovely metropolis journeys within the north.
Scandinavia is a well-liked journey vacation spot, and the varied nature, particularly, attracts many guests to the far north. However the Scandinavian capitals are additionally positively definitely worth the journey – and that doesn’t simply apply to the well-known highlights of Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo. Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, is actually just a few on the display screen, however the distant islands are an actual spotlight. And Reykjavík can be an important a part of a visit to Iceland. Not forgetting Finland’s capital, Helsinki, the place you’ll be able to benefit from the sea-view sauna even in summer season.
By the best way, do you know that the Scandinavian peninsula really solely consists of Norway and Sweden, in addition to the northwest of Finland? Culturally, nonetheless, Denmark can be certainly one of them – and in a broader sense, additionally Iceland and the Faroe Islands. So right here’s the whole overview of the Scandinavian capitals – with many ideas and additional data.
Stockholm: The Historic
Along with Copenhagen, Stockholm is actually one of the vital fashionable capitals in Scandinavia, if not in all of Europe. And with round 950,000 inhabitants, it’s positively the biggest metropolis within the far north. Stockholm affords an awesome mixture of royal magnificence and old-town allure, Swedish nonchalance and Scandinavian design. The guts is the outdated city Gamla Stan with the Stortorget and its colourful homes. The Royal Citadel and the Nobel Prize Museum are additionally positioned in Gamla Stan – and the colourful streets with the medieval environment are great for strolling by means of.
Like all Scandinavian capitals, Stockholm is true on the water. One of many quite a few boat excursions is an effective method to discover town and, ideally, to go on a visit to the skerries, the offshore islands, instantly afterwards. In Stockholm, it’s also possible to stroll within the footsteps of Astrid Lindgren and ABBA or marvel at a centuries-old ship that sank within the harbour on the Vasa Museum. After which there’s the fashionable district of Södermalm, the colourful artwork within the subway and the quite a few museums. While you lastly get uninterested in sightseeing, it’s greatest to seek out one of many cool cafés and take a fika, the Swedish espresso break.
Copenhagen: The Cozy One
With simply over 600,000 inhabitants, Copenhagen is considerably smaller than Stockholm – and but or maybe due to this, Denmark’s capital is likely one of the hottest locations in Scandinavia. Copenhagen is pure coziness. Essentially the most well-known Copenhagener is the little mermaid. The Lille Havfrue sits on her rock within the harbor – and even when she’s a little bit unassuming, she’s an important a part of a go to to the Danish capital. Additionally fashionable is Nyhavn, the place you’ll be able to sit on the harbor promenade, particularly in summer season. From there, it’s also not removed from the royal palace Amalienborg and the opera, one of many stylish new buildings in Copenhagen.
The roof of the Amager Bakke waste incineration plant was laid out as a dry ski slope and attracts quite a few guests as CopenHill. In Copenhagen, it’s also possible to stroll by means of one of many largest pedestrian zones in Europe or make a journey to Tivoli, the oldest amusement park on this planet. Foodies must also plan a visit to the Torvehallerne market halls and the previous butchers’ quarter “Kødbyen”.
Oslo: The Inexperienced
Even when Oslo glitters in blue in entrance of the opera as town’s fashionable landmark, Norway’s capital is basically inexperienced. Situated instantly on the fjord, Oslo is surrounded by deep inexperienced forests, a preferred native recreation vacation spot for residents. In Ekelandpark, inexperienced is even mixed with artwork – and additionally, you will discover lots of road artwork and attention-grabbing sculptures within the metropolis. An important sights within the centre are the Royal Citadel, the Cathedral, the Parliament Storting and the Metropolis Corridor, the place the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded yearly in December.
With nearly 700,000 inhabitants, Oslo is the second largest metropolis in Scandinavia – and but it doesn’t really feel prefer it. You may, for instance, begin instantly from the port district of Aker Brygge to the islands within the Oslofjord and swap off fully. On the Bygdoy peninsula, additionally, you will discover quite a few attention-grabbing museums, such because the Vikingskipshuset or the Kon-Tiki Museum. And issues get different and artistic within the fashionable Grünerlokka district and round Oslo’s Mathallen market corridor.
Helsinki: The Youngest
Though Helsinki was based in 1550, it was an insignificant metropolis for a very long time. Solely since 1917 has it been the capital of an unbiased Finland. As we speak, with 635,000 inhabitants, Helsinki is the third largest metropolis in Scandinavia after Stockholm and Oslo. Town is completely relaxed, which may be partly as a result of quite a few saunas, that are merely a part of the lifestyle for Finns.
However Helsinki’s landmark is the cathedral, which rises fully white over town. The Finnish capital has much more church buildings price seeing: from the Russian-Orthodox-style Uspenski Cathedral to the Chapel of Silence to the rock church Temppeliaukio Kirkko. And for foodies, the Vanha Kauppahalli market corridor and the Teurastamo slaughterhouse district are the right locations. The ocean and the islands aren’t far in Helsinki both, and so they positively belong on the to-do listing, particularly in summer season.
Reykjavík: The Colourful One
While you consider Scandinavian capitals, Reykjavík is actually not the very first thing that springs to thoughts. And but the city with its 120,000 inhabitants is price a go to. The northernmost capital on this planet is a mixture of vibrant homes, Scandinavian design and pleasant folks. The residents aren’t deterred by the cool temperatures, even in summer season, however reasonably meet as much as loosen up in one of many sizzling springs and revel in what seems like endlessly lengthy days.
Along with the Hallgrímskirkja as a landmark and the futuristic Harpa live performance corridor, a stroll by means of the colourful procuring road Laugavegur is a should on the to-do listing for Reykjavík. You’ll discover some cool road artwork right here and all through town. And for foodies, a detour in the direction of the Alter Hafen and the Grandi district, with its meals corridor and the chocolate manufacturing facility is a should.
Tórshavn: The Hidden One
With simply over 20,000 inhabitants, crucial and largest metropolis within the Faroe Islands is likely one of the smallest capitals on this planet. Tórshavn is the financial and cultural heart and is an important a part of a go to to the archipelago in the midst of the North Atlantic. While you stroll by means of the small alleys within the historic heart, you shortly get the sensation that you’ve landed someplace in a village and never within the capital. The little homes with turf roofs, so typical of the islands, are too cute.
On the Tinganes peninsula, proper by the small japanese harbor, you can see the Løgting, one of many oldest nonetheless current parliaments on this planet. And proper subsequent door, you’ll be able to ring the Prime Minister’s bell instantly. Along with just a few museums, additionally, you will discover good eating places and cafes within the capital and a small procuring road. Final however not least, Tórshavn can be an ideal place to begin to find these spectacular islands.
Our Remaining Phrase
Kati and I at all times like to journey to Scandanavia. The folks and the vibe are intoxicating. They simply appear to get it. And it reveals. From nice artwork and museums to unimaginable out of doors actions, Scandanavia has all of it. Out of the highest 7 happiest nations on this planet, 5 are from Scandanavia and manner outscore nations just like the USA and Germany. I believe it reveals that heat climate and decrease tax charges don’t convey folks happiness reasonably caring for each other when it comes to healthcare and wholesome life expectancy together with the liberty to make key life selections make Scandanavia a mannequin of society for the remainder of us.