This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2016. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
Living in New York made a trip to the Nordics feel surprisingly accessible — especially compared to trying to get there from Australia.
So I booked a few flights across the Atlantic for my husband and I, and we set out to explore. Over the next three weeks, we travelled through Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. It ended up being one of those trips that felt incredibly varied, without ever feeling rushed.
Looking back, this route worked really well. The connections between each destination were straightforward, and the balance between landscapes and cities made it feel like multiple trips in one. My only regret was not having more time! I would have loved to extend the trip to include Helsinki, but alas, time constraints meant that my travels could not go on longer.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through a 3-week Nordics itinerary covering Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland — including how to structure your time and what to expect in each destination.
Quick summary:
This 3 week Nordics itinerary covers Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, combining road trips, city breaks and scenic ferry travel. It’s a well-paced route that balances natural landscapes with walkable cities across Northern Europe.
Recommended hotels:
🏨 Reykjavik: Center Hotels Plaza – Central old town location with easy access to tours, harbour and main sights
🏨 Copenhagen: Hotel Bethel – Charming waterfront stay right on Nyhavn with excellent walkability
🏨 Stockholm: Haymarket by Scandic – Stylish Art Deco hotel in a lively central district near major attractions
🏨 Turku: Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel – Riverside hotel with modern rooms and easy access to Turku’s old town
3-week Nordics itinerary
This route follows a fairly natural path through Northern Europe, starting in Iceland before moving across Scandinavia and into Finland. The itinerary is structured like this:
- Days 1–5 — Reykjavik (R), Iceland
- Days 6–8 — Copenhagen (C), Denmark
- Days 9–15 — Stockholm (S), Sweden
- Days 16–21 — Åland Islands (A), Turku (T) & Helsinki (H), Finland
I used a combination of flights, trains, and ferries to connect each stop. Here’s what I booked:
- A direct flight from Reykjavik to Copenhagen
- A train (with a transfer at Malmö) from Copenhagen to Stockholm
- A ferry from Stockholm to Turku via Åland
If I had travelled onwards from Turku to Helsinki as suggested in the itinerary, it would have been an easy train connecting the two cities.
The pacing allowed enough time in each destination without feeling rushed. It leaves plenty of opportunity to include day trips from the cities (such as the Golden Circle or South Coast in Iceland, and Sigtuna & Uppsala in Sweden). If you’re planning a similar trip, this route strikes a good balance between seeing multiple countries and still having time to enjoy each one.
Scandinavia vs the Nordics: What’s the difference?
You’ll often see the terms Scandinavia and the Nordics used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. Scandinavia typically refers to Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The Nordic countries include all of Scandinavia, plus Finland and Iceland (along with a few associated territories).
This itinerary visits four Nordic countries: Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
Days 1–5: Iceland (Reykjavik, Golden Circle & South Coast)
Iceland was the part of the trip I had been most excited about — and it didn’t disappoint. After arriving from New York, we based ourselves in Reykjavik and used it as a starting point for exploring some of the country’s most iconic landscapes and ticking off Iceland bucket list experiences.
🏨 Where to stay in Reykjavik: For a comfortable and centrally located stay, Center Hotels Plaza is a great mid-range option right in the heart of the old town. It’s within easy walking distance of Reykjavik’s main sights, restaurants and harbour area — making it an ideal base for day trips.
We spent our first day wandering through the city’s colourful streets, grabbing coffee near the harbour and getting a feel for the atmosphere. Highlights like Harpa Concert Hall are worth stopping by for its striking glass architecture, and if you have time, heading out on a puffin watching boat tour from the harbour is a really memorable way to see some of Iceland’s wildlife up close.
The next day, we followed the Golden Circle route — one of the most popular day trips in Iceland. This loop includes Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, and works well as either a self-drive or guided tour. It’s a straightforward way to experience some of Iceland’s most famous natural attractions.
The highlight for me was the South Coast. This is where Iceland really starts to feel dramatic, with waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the black sand beach at Reynisfjara, and the famous Sólheimasandur plane wreck. It’s the kind of landscape that feels almost unreal, and easily one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
By the time we returned to Reykjavik for our final night, it felt like we’d covered a lot without overdoing it. We packed up ready for our flight to Copenhagen the next day.
Days 6–8: Copenhagen, Denmark
After a few days of road tripping through Iceland, arriving in Copenhagen felt like a complete change of pace. Swapping waterfalls and open landscapes for colourful buildings, bike lanes and cafes, it was an easy city to settle into.
🏨 Where to stay in Copenhagen: For a centrally located stay with great reviews, Hotel Bethel is a solid mid-range option right on Nyhavn. The location makes it easy to explore the city on foot, with restaurants, cafes and major sights all nearby.
We kept things fairly relaxed here, spending our time exploring the city on foot and by bike. Much of Copenhagen’s appeal is in simply wandering — especially around areas like Nyhavn, where the row of brightly coloured buildings along the canal is one of the city’s most recognisable sights.
Beyond that, we spent time exploring the city centre, visiting local cafes (and eating more pastries than necessary), and getting a feel for Copenhagen’s laid-back atmosphere. If it’s your first visit, it’s also worth setting aside time for places like Tivoli Gardens — one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, right in the middle of the city.
From Copenhagen, we booked a train to take us from Denmark to Sweden (with a transfer at Malmö) to reach the city of Stockholm.
Days 9–15: Sweden (Stockholm, Uppsala & Sigtuna)
Arriving in Stockholm, the city immediately felt different again — built across a network of islands, with water never far from view. It’s one of those places that feels both historic and modern at the same time, and it didn’t take long to see why it’s often considered one of Scandinavia’s most beautiful capitals.
🏨 Where to stay in Stockholm: For a stylish and well-located mid-range stay, Haymarket by Scandic is a popular option in the city centre. It has a distinctive Art Deco design and sits within easy reach of Stockholm’s main attractions, shops and transport connections.
We spent our first few days exploring Stockholm itself. The historic old town of Gamla Stan was a highlight, with its narrow cobbled streets and colourful buildings, while nearby museums like the Vasa Museum offered a deeper look into Sweden’s history. It’s also a great city for wandering, and even something as routine as catching the metro can turn into an experience — Stockholm’s underground stations are known for their unique art installations, which ended up being one of the more unexpected highlights of the trip.
With extra time in Sweden, we took the opportunity to explore beyond the city. Both Uppsala and Sigtuna can be seen on Swedish countryside day trip and offer a quieter, more local feel. Uppsala has a relaxed university atmosphere with a striking cathedral and riverside walks, while Sigtuna — often considered Sweden’s oldest town — is known for its small wooden buildings and lakeside setting.
Days 16–21: Finland (Åland Islands & Turku)
I continued the journey solo by taking a ferry from Stockholm to Finland across the Baltic Sea. This was one of the more memorable transitions of the trip. Rather than flying, this route takes you through a maze of small islands, giving a completely different perspective of the region.
My first stop was the Åland Islands, located between Sweden and mainland Finland. This part of the trip felt noticeably quieter and more remote, with a strong focus on nature and outdoor activities. Compared to the cities earlier in the trip, Åland offered a slower pace, with coastal views, open landscapes and small villages that felt a world away from Stockholm.
From there, I continued on to Turku on the Finnish mainland. Turku has a relaxed, slightly understated feel, but it works well as a base for exploring the surrounding Turku archipelago. I spent my time wandering along the riverside, visiting local cafes and enjoying the slower pace after a few weeks of more fast-paced travel.
🏨 Where to stay in Turku: For a comfortable and centrally located stay, Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel is a reliable mid-range option set along the Aura River. The location makes it easy to explore Turku on foot, with restaurants, cafes and key sights nearby.
This part of Finland felt less about ticking off major sights and more about slowing down and enjoying the setting. It was a really nice way to wrap up the trip before heading back to Stockholm for my flight out.
If I’d had more time, I would have extended my trip to end in Helsinki, which is Finland’s capital and a popular addition to Nordic itineraries. It’s a larger city with more international flight connections, which also makes it a convenient alternative departure point if you’re planning a similar route.
Nordics travel FAQ:
Is 3 weeks enough for the Nordics?
Yes — three weeks is enough time to visit multiple Nordic countries without rushing. This itinerary covers four countries at a comfortable pace, with a mix of cities, nature and slower travel experiences.
What’s the best time to visit the Nordic countries?
Summer (June to August) is the most popular time, with long daylight hours and milder weather. It’s ideal for road trips, outdoor activities and ferry travel between destinations.
Is the Nordics expensive to travel?
The Nordic countries are generally considered expensive, especially for accommodation and dining. However, planning ahead, choosing mid-range hotels and mixing in self-guided activities can help manage costs.
How do you travel between Nordic countries?
It depends on your itinerary. Flights are sometimes the fastest option between countries, while trains and ferries offer a more scenic experience. In this itinerary, I used a combination of flights, trains and ferries.
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