Trip Alertz For Jetsetters, By Jetsetters
What comes to your mind if we say “Northern Europe”? We are sure it must be Vikings, snow, or you think of it as a land of old tales. But here’s the truth – the region is not limited to only these things. Northern Europe has much more to offer in terms of its beauty, museums, colorful towns, and whatnot.
Is that all? Obviously not.
You would be mesmerized if we could just start to tell you about the huge lakes, magnificent fjords, and historical attractions this region has to serve you. And who knows, you could just make up your mind to visit the majestic places of Northern Europe?
If you want to filter the best choices and bring out the inner hodophile, then look no further. Here we have come up with the enthralling destinations to visit in Northern Europe to kindle your wanderlust. Keep reading and be ready to add these places to your bucket list.
1. Malmo, Sweden
Malmo is the third-largest city in Sweden, with over 150 different nationalities. You can reach here by flying straight to Malmo’s airport. Or, if you reside in Copenhagen, it is an hour-long train ride from there. One of the main attractions here includes Malmo Saluhall, also known as Foodlovers’ paradise. Here you can get umpteen vendors selling breads, meat and many international cuisines. The other attractions are – Turning Torso (the world’s first twisted skyscraper), Slottsträdgården, Malmö Art Gallery, St. Peter’s Church, and Lilla Torg.
2. Bergen, Norway
Located on the southwest coast of Norway, Bergen is the busiest cruise ship stopover in Scandinavia. A direct flight to Bergen is the way to reach here. Or you can take a train from Oslo. Or the most interesting one is to board a ferry from Vage. This place has breathtaking sceneries to offer in the form of beautiful Norwegian fjords. If you are a melomaniac or an aesthete, don’t forget to explore the summer arts and music events – Bergen International Festival, the Nattjazz festival, and Bergenfest. Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf (UNESCO world heritage site), Mount Fløyen, Bergenhus Fortress, Mount Ulriken are some of the major tourist hotspots.
3. Copenhagen, Denmark
Strewn with historical sights and buildings, the capital city of Denmark is located on the coastal islands of Zeeland and Amager. If you want to witness the World’s best amusement parks, trendiest shopping, and treasures of the Viking and Bronze age, you can’t miss out on this place. To give you an example, Tivoli garden is a 19th-century amusement park where you can explore Rutschebanen, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the World. The other attractions include – Nyhavn, Christiansborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle, and Bakken Amusement Park.
4. Lapland, Finland
Lapland is an exotic region in Northern Finland located above the Arctic circle with extensive pine forests and a wide array of activities for any nature lover. There is no direct flight to this place, but you can start your journey in the capitals of either Sweden, Norway, or Finland. From there, you can take a short flight or direct train to get here. Now, you are all set for the Lapland vacation with full zeal. Remember to visit the Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi (the official hometown of Santa Claus). Did we forget to mention the snowmobile safari, skiing in Ylläs Ski Resort, and relaxing in the World’s Only Sauna Gondola? All these things are perfect for an adventure seeker and to make your trip memorable.
5. Stockholm, Sweden
Better called the city of islands, Stockholm is set on the Baltic Sea and is a must-visit destination of Sweden. You can board a flight either to reach Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport or Stockholm-Bromma Airport. To take a snapshot of Swedish life, visiting the open-air museum Skansen is the answer. Besides, Gamla Stan, Vasa museum, Fotografiska, Stadshuset, Monteliusvägen are the magnificent destinations that you can visit while planning your trip to Stockholm. Want to experience the thrill of watching the Skyview from the top of the World’s largest spherical building, the Ericsson Globe? If yes, then visit Stockholm right now.
6. Svalbard, Norway
Home to more polar bears than people and the place holding arctic wilderness, Svalbard is the remote archipelago between Norway and the North Pole. You can get here by flight from Oslo and reach Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s only airport. The place is often called winter wonderland, where you can do numerous activities like snowmobile adventure, a trip to Isfjord radio station, a visit to the Global Seed Vault (the Doomsday vault). Moreover, if you have a sweet tooth, then welcome to Fruene (Svalbard), the World’s northernmost chocolate factory.
7. Helsinki, Finland
Finland’s capital city, Helsinki, is situated on the south coast of Finland and is a place with marvelous architecture. You can board a direct or international flight to the Helsinki-Vantaa international airport, which is ranked among some of the best in the World! If you are a person who loves to unfold more about history, the national museum is enough to get you up to speed on Finnish history. When in Helsinki, you should definitely check out Helsinki Cathedral, Old Market Hall, Linnanmäki, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Korkeasaari Zoo, which are the major tourist hotspots in the city.
8. Gotland, Sweden
The largest island of the Baltic Sea, Gotland island is a serene spot with a scarce population. You can board a direct flight from Stockholm to Visby to reach here (Visby is a town on the island of Gotland that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The major tourist attractions on the island include Lummelunda Cave, where people come to see the large halls and witness the amazing rock formations. Also, the cave is one of Sweden’s longest caves. If you love to experience the thrill of beaches, you cannot steer clear of visiting Ljugarn. Stavgard Iron age village and Kneippbyn amusement park are yet other focal points here.
9. Reykjavik, Iceland
Largest and the capital city of Iceland, Reykjavik is regarded as the launchpad for natural wonders. You can reach the Keflavik International Airport, which is 40-50 km from Reykjavik. From the airport, take a flybus or a taxi that will drop you at Reykjavik. Now delve into the Hallgrímskirkja, which is Iceland’s national sanctuary and a parish Church. It is also the tallest structure in Iceland. Additionally, you can also enjoy the whale watching tour, Thermal Pools, Mount Esja, Perlan Museum of Icelandic Natural Wonders, and Bruarfoss Waterfall if you are here.
And when you think you’ve figured out the capital city of Iceland, you’ll be in for a surprise. Some tourists felt an otherworldly kind of thrill when they witnessed a volcano erupting near Reykjavik and saw for themselves the angry red lava it spurted fairly recently. The chance to see something like that up close proves that Reykjavik, Iceland is a hot destination.
10. Vilnius, Lithuania
Gamma global city, as per the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, Vilnius is famous for its architectural heritage and bustling cafe culture. Board a flight from Dublin, Rome, or London and reach Vilnius to capture the best travel moments of your life. Gate of dawn, three crosses hill, Trakai castle, Verkiai Regional Park are the notable destinations to visit. Want to see the best view of the whole of Vilnius? Head up to Gediminas’ Tower and quench your wanderlust.
11. Tallinn, Estonia
The old medieval city with the historic essence but equipped with modern amenities, Tallinn is northern Europe’s best-kept secrets and the capital city of Estonia. There is a direct flight to Tallinn airport, the largest airport of Estonia. If you are looking forward to accomplishing a lot of sightseeing, you can’t forget the Tallinn card that gives you access to over 40 amazing attractions. To your surprise, this card gives you the facility to free travel in the city’s public transportation. Skywheel of Tallinn, Estonian history museum, and town hall tower are some of the attractions included in this card. Lahemaa National Park and Aleksander Nevski Katedraali are also the centers of attractions.
12. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is known for its charming streets and live music. Board a direct flight from any major city of Europe, and you are here. It got the recognition of UNESCO City of Literature in 2010. To kick off your Dublin Tour, Trinity college is the best spot. While major tourist hotspots include – The National Gallery of Ireland, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Guinness Storehouse Factory, and Ha’penny Bridge. Have you seen the spectacular romance movie of all time – P.S. I love you? Unraveling the secret, its filming location is the unbelievably beautiful landscapes of the Wicklow Mountains, which is at a stone’s throw from Dublin.
13. Gothenburg, Sweden
Known for its world-class seafood and magnificent coastline, Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden. Reach Landvetter Airport by air and board a bus from there; you are all set to see Gothenburg. Thanks to Gothenburg’s Southern Archipelago that offers you to see pristine beaches and charming villages. Historic Haga district, Feskekörka (Fish-church), Slottsskogen are the major tourist attractions, to name a few. Do not forget to explore the focal point of Gothenburg – Universeum, the largest science center in the Nordic countries, equipped with cutting-edge technology.
To sum it all up
The destinations mentioned above are enough to give you the best travel escapism and adventure moments of your life. Thus, backpack your things and get ready to quench your wanderlust with the captivating Northern European destinations. After all, Miriam Beard had beautifully said the given quote –
“Traveling is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
So, are you ready to add the breathtaking adventure in your travelogue?
