Scandinavia: What to know before you go
Here’s your cheat sheet for a Scandinavia trip—what to expect, how to make the most of it, and insider tips from a Go Ahead Tours staffer who traveled through Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.
More and more travelers have their hearts set on a trip to the naturally beautiful Scandinavian countries of Northern Europe. The region has a culture all its own—think: a love for smoked fish and an appreciation of winter weather—and there are countless bucket list spots to visit. Here are the basics to know before taking a trip to Scandinavia, including some tips from Go Ahead Tours staffer Katie, who traveled on our Scandinavia: The Capitals & the Fjords tour.
Each country has its own currency
Scandinavian countries have their own currencies: the Norwegian krone, Danish krone, Swedish krona, Icelandic krona, and in Finland, the euro. Generally speaking, things are on the pricier end in Scandinavia—especially alcoholic drinks—so plan accordingly.
While getting local currency is important, so is having an internationally accepted credit card with a chip in it. The area is very card-friendly. In fact, Sweden is the second most cash-free country in the world, meaning the majority of local transactions take place with credit cards.
Insider tip: Staffer Katie notes that while the currency changes multiple times on trips like our Scandinavia: The Capitals & the Fjords tour and our shorter Highlights of Scandinavia: Sweden, Norway & Denmark tour, the locals guide on her tour were flexible and appreciated tips in any of the currencies that travelers had on hand.
Scandinavian people will brighten your travels
Year after year, Scandinavian countries top the list of the World Happiness Report. In fact, 2024 showcased Denmark at number two, Iceland at number three, and Sweden at number four—and happy people are friendly people! This means that travelers greatly enjoy getting to know the welcoming locals, most of whom speak great English, on trips to Scandinavia.
One way this happy culture is exemplified is the cultural tendency to celebrate everyday life, and the practice of hygge is one example. Hygge is a Danish tradition of celebrating being cozy, usually during the colder months. Enjoying hot chocolate and a good book, curling up by a fire after a day of exploring, gathering around a game table with friends—those are all hygge. Read more about the Scandi love of all things warm and cozy in our guide to hygge.
Insider tip: Our travel experts recommend heading to a farmer’s market or cafe for an hour or so during free time on our Highlights of Scandinavia: Sweden, Norway & Denmark tour to just relax. These are wonderful spots to mingle with people, soak in the energy around you, and get a feel for the unhurried way of life in the area.
You’ll love sampling all the Scandi food
Food and drinks run the gamut in these countries. You can find traditional regional specialties like smoked salmon, pickled herring, and reindeer meat, as well as less-expected favorites like hot dogs. However, it’s open-faced sandwiches that reign supreme in Scandinavia. They’re called smorgas in Swedish, smorrebrod in Danish, smorbrod in Norwegian, and voileipa in Finnish and feature favorites like smoked fish, shrimp, or cheese. Try them all with new travel friends on our Scandinavia for Solo Travelers: Norway’s Fjords to Copenhagen tour.
Insider tip: “It was fun to try hot dogs in each Scandinavian country because they were all a little bit different and had different topping options,” said staffer Katie. “I ate a lot of hot dogs! My favorite was in Copenhagen, where they come with pickles, onions, and a sweet mayo-pickle remoulade,” she continued.
(Psst... hungry for more recommendations on what to eat in Denmark’s coastal capital? Find them in our Copenhagen Travel Guide.)
A fjords cruise will take your breath away
A fjords cruise is an absolute must-do for visitors. In fact, travelers on our Scandinavia tours usually count their day cruising along the fjords as an absolute highlight of their trip—so much so that we offer a specific Fjords of Norway: Bergen, Geirangerfjord & Alesund tour.
Headed out to visit one of the most breathtaking fjords in Norway? Thoughtful preparation ahead of time will help ensure that you can sit back and soak in the awe of it all—and that means dressing appropriately. Layers are always a good idea when traveling, but that’s especially true when spending the day on the water in Northern Europe. Be prepared for a dry or rainy day, sunshine or clouds, windy or warm conditions—it can all change very quickly in Norway. Multiple layers and water-resistant options are best.
Insider tip: Norway is a very big country, so it’s wise to remember that seeing fjords can mean a bit of travel time. After her tour, staffer Katie remarked, “I was a little surprised how long it took to travel to and from the fjords, but all the scenery you see from the bus and train along the way is so stunning that it’s part of the experience. With that said, do be prepared for a long (and wonderful!) day.”
You’ll be entranced by the Viking history
Scandinavian countries are known for their seafaring ways, due in large part to the Vikings. The Viking Age may have only lasted around 300 years, but it remains one of the most storied periods in the region’s history—and on our Scandinavia tours, your expert local guides will clue you in on all the lore and legends of these renowned raiders. Viking history is so rich that learning about it all became a surprise favorite element for staffer Katie on our Scandinavia: The Capitals & the Fjords tour.
Insider tip: Soak it all in! “The influence of Vikings can be felt everywhere in Scandinavia,” said staffer Katie. “We had the opportunity to stop at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo to learn all about the history of the Vikings and how their culture has influenced the Scandinavian people. I found their history most interesting. The Vikings have this reputation for being ruthless and violent, and I personally enjoyed learning about the myths and actually debunking many of them.”
Ready to embark on your dream Scandinavia tour? Start planning it today!
