Nordic Cities: Discover The Capitals Of Northern Europe

Whether the volcanic landscapes of Iceland, the fjords of Norway, the beaches of Denmark or the lakes and forests of Sweden and Finland, Nordic travel is so often defined by outdoor experiences. Yet the capital cities of the five main Nordic countries offer a fantastic mix of culture, history, food and family-friendly activities to serve as a great base for any Nordic vacation.

Functional public transit systems help visitors get around the cities whatever the weather to enjoy the best of Nordic design, historic sites and Scandinavian cafe culture.

Whether you’re curious about the Nordic region’s status as the so-called happiest place on earth, curious about the history of the Viking Age, or simply looking for an enjoyable city break, the Nordic capital cities offer something to satisfy all tastes.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Known as the home of hygge, Copenhagen is packed with family-friendly attractions, castles and gardens, and a thriving restaurant scene. The latter in particular draws foreign visitors as the city is home to an astonishing 15 Michelin star restaurants.

To conduct your own study into Scandinavian lifestyle, grab a table at one of the many sidewalk cafes or restaurants. There’s plenty of them as while Copenhagen isn’t exactly a warm weather destination, it does enjoy the mildest weather of all Nordic capitals.

For families, the Tivoli Gardens amusement park is a must-do. Generations of Danes have enjoyed a day out here, whether exploring the thrills of the rides or simply strolling the gardens.

Historical highlights of Copenhagen include the baroque residence and formal gardens of Frederiksberg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, and the National Museum featuring legendary Viking ship Roskilde 6.

Helsinki, Finland

While the city itself is relatively compact, almost half of Finland’s 5.5 million residents live in and around the Helsinki capital region.

Famous for Nordic design classics such as Iittala glassware and the Marimekko print and fabrics, Finland is a major destination for anyone interested in art and design. Make Helsinki Design Museum your first stop to give context to your adventures in the city’s bustling design district.

Contemporary architecture is also a feature of any city break in Helsinki, whether you deliberately visit the buildings or simply admire them as you wander past on your way elsewhere. The striking wooden facade of Oodi Library and the fascinating Temppeliaukio—better known as the rock church—are particular highlights.

Reykjavik, Iceland

With direct Icelandair flights from 14 U.S. and Canadian airports plus four more routes offered by budget airline Play, most North American travelers can reach Reykjavik with relative ease.

Said to be inspired by the steam rising from hot springs, early settlers named the bay Reykjavik, which means Smoky Bay in Old Norse. That’s very apt given the recent volcanic eruptions very close to the capital region.

Despite Iceland’s reputation as a visually stunning place to visit, many of the capital city’s buildings value function over form.

There are some exceptions, notably the towering church Hallgrimskirkja. Although in active use a place of worship, the church is open daily for tourists who can visit the observation deck for an unbeatable view across downtown Reykjavik.

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Elsewhere, the eye-catching modern architecture of the waterfront Harpa concert hall looks fantastic when lit up during evening events. The nearby sculpture Sun Voyager remembers the Vikings who settled Iceland more than 1,000 years ago.

Oslo, Norway

Norway’s capital city has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past 20 years. The waterfront district has slowly transformed from industrial eyesore to culture capital, including a waterfront promenade, modern library, the Opera House, a museum dedicated to artist Edvard Munch and the colossal new National Museum.

Yet it’s Vigeland Sculpture Park that remains the city’s top tourist attraction, and one of the best free things to do in all of Scandinavia. More than 200 sculptures represent the life’s work of sculptor Gustav Vigeland, set within vast parkland in western Oslo.

The Vigeland sculptures are far from the only outdoor attraction in the Norwegian capital. From the peaceful islands of the inner Oslofjord to the forest that envelops the city, Oslo is surrounded by nature’s playground.

Choose between a boat trip out to Hovedøya, a charming island with historic sites, nature trails and rocky beaches, and exploring the hiking trails of the vast Nordmarka forest complete with astonishing views over the city and fjord below.

Stockholm, Sweden

Built over several islands, Sweden’s capital city Stockholm is packed with historic and cultural attractions.

Start by exploring the narrow alleyways, boutiques and public squares of the old town island Gamla Stan. To dig into the stories hidden in the streets, the Stockholm exhibition at the nearby City Museum is a must-see.

In many cities, public transit is just a method of getting from one part of the city to another. In Stockholm, the entire metro network doubles as an art gallery. Almost all of the network’s stations are decorated with sculptures, mosaics, paintings or other art installations by more than 150 different artists.

Elsewhere in the city, the ABBA Museum and the Vasa warship museum are supremely popular places to visit. If you prefer to take things easy, consider joining one of the many passenger ferries out to the many islands of the Stockholm archipelago.

Other popular Nordic cities

Beyond the five capitals, there are many Nordic cities worthy of inclusion on a travel itinerary. Sweden’s Gothenburg and Norway’s Bergen still offer many nature-based and cultural attractions if you prefer to explore smaller cities.

Reykjavik is a popular winter destination for northern lights hunters, but you could also consider Tromsø in Northern Norway. Tromsø is also a hotspot for aurora borealis sightings, but offers many other attractions from an Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden to a cable car and mountain trails.

Other Nordic cities outside the five main countries include Torshavn in the Faroe Islands and Nuuk in Greenland. Both places are home to less than 20,000 people, but with capital status in their respective island countries—both part of the Kingdom of Denmark—they have far more things to do than you may expect.