Best of Scandinavian Capitals in 10 Days Tour

You'll get at least 14 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!

Plus you'll get all this, too.

• A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
• Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of Scandinavia come alive for you
• All group transportation from Copenhagen to Oslo
• 9 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels
• All breakfasts and half your dinners
• All tips for guides and driver
• A tour kit including a guidebook and a moneybelt
• Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
• Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken with us
• Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour

Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

Group sightseeing events subject to change.

Day 1: Welcome to Copenhagen

We'll gather at our Copenhagen hotel at 4 p.m. for a group meeting, followed by an orientation walk among our neighborhood's bike-filled streets on our way to a "Velkommen til Skandinavien" dinner together.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. No bus. Sleep in Copenhagen.

Day 2: Historic and Modern Copenhagen

This morning, a local guide leads us on a walking tour through Copenhagen's historical center sharing the story of this playful and progressive city on our way to the picturesque Nyhavn waterfront, where colorful buildings share the scene with classic sloops. The rest of your day is free to explore the city's many impressive sights: get to know Denmark's story at the National Museum, hop on a low-impact thrill ride at the fanciful Tivoli Gardens, immerse yourself in the counterculture enclave of Christiania, or just enjoy some of Europe's best people-watching on the Strøget.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sleep in Copenhagen

Day 3: Regal Rosenborg Castle and Treasury

Today begins with a visit to Rosenborg — the 17th-century Dutch Renaissance-style castle built as a summer residence for King Christian IV. We'll tour its finely furnished rooms, Danish crown jewels, and one of the best treasury collections in Europe. Afterwards, we'll enjoy a typical Danish smørrebrød (open-faced sandwich) lunch together. Then you'll be free to explore more of Copenhagen and enjoy dinner on your own in this Nordic foodie haven, where you can pick between street food carts, characteristic local pubs, and Michelin-starred splurges.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Copenhagen.

Day 4: Train to Stockholm

After breakfast, we'll board a train to Stockholm, crossing the awe-inspiring five-mile Øresund Bridge that connects Denmark to Sweden. After enjoying a few hours of serene Swedish scenery, we'll check into our hotel and savor a fika — Sweden's ritualistic coffee break. Then, we'll get oriented to our neighborhood before sitting down for a hearty Swedish dinner together.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Train 5½ hours. Bus: ½ hour. Sleep in Stockholm.

Day 5: Old Town and Vasa

Today we'll enjoy a walking tour of Stockholm's cobbled and lantern-lined Gamla Stan (Old Town), learning about its historic Stortorget square, cathedral, and Royal Palace. Then we'll board a boat and cross the harbor to visit the Vasa Museum where we'll marvel at the eerily well-preserved remains of the ill-fated 17th-century warship, which sank in Stockholm Harbor on her maiden voyage. The rest of the day is yours to step back in time at Skansen open-air folk museum, indulge your inner ABBA fan (yes, there's a museum), and explore more of one of Europe's most livable capitals.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Boat: ½ hour. No bus. Sleep in Stockholm.

Day 6: Stockholm's City Hall and Archipelago

This morning we'll visit Stockholm's City Hall, home of the Nobel Prize banquet and impressive mosaic murals celebrating the Scandinavian ethic of humanism, collaboration, and community. Then, we'll take a boat cruise through the scenic Skärgården archipelago, dotted with thousands of islands and iconic red wooden cottages. After returning to Stockholm, you're free to enjoy your last evening in the Swedish capital.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with hills and stairs. Boat 2½ hours. No bus. Sleep in Stockholm.

Day 7: Swedish Countryside and Modern Oslo

Today, we'll ride a comfy and spacious bus through the evocative, dense birch forests of the Swedish countryside en route to our final destination: Norway's futuristic yet accessible capital, Oslo. After checking into our hotel, we'll take an orientation walk through the neighborhood before gathering for a cozy Norwegian dinner together.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 6½ hours. Sleep in Oslo.

Day 8: Historic and Artistic Oslo

This morning, on a walking tour of the heart and harbor of Oslo, we'll learn all about Norwegian history and politics. Then we'll hop on a tram to visit Frogner Park, where locals relax among Gustav Vigeland's whimsical, lifelike sculptures — a powerful celebration of humanity. The rest of the day is free for exploring more of the city with your digital Oslo Pass (giving you free admission to most museums and public transportation. You'll have plenty of free time to visit the Norwegian Resistance Museum, the National Museum (home to Edvard Munch's The Scream), or your choice of the city's other fine museums.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sleep in Oslo.

Day 9: Norwegian Traditions

Today takes us to the Bygdøy peninsula to visit the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum, where we'll wander among sod-roofed farmhouses, interact with villagers, and learn about Norwegian life from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. This afternoon, you're free to explore more of the nearby museums, such as the Fram Museum, Maritime Museum, and Kon-Tiki Museum, or head back to the city center for more sightseeing in Oslo. Tonight, we'll gather together for a farewell feast to share travel memories and toast new friends. Skål!

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Oslo.

Day 10: Tour Over After Breakfast

Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. A quick taxi or train ride will get you to Oslo's airport, where you'll have easy connections to return home — or continue on to other points in Europe. Farvel!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

Our tours are physically active! It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our Best of Scandinavian Capitals in 10 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…

1. Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (possibly several blocks) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then up several flights of stairs to reach your room.
2. Be on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
3. Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.
4. After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.

Any time between May and September is a good time to visit Scandinavia. However, the summer months, while the most crowded, offer the best weather and long days. The months of May and September are best for combining minimal crowds and mild weather.

Sweden / Stockholm

Denmark / Copenhagen

Norway / Oslo

Tour Hotels

In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying while on tour in the Documents section of your tour account.

Flights

Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements and transfers are completely up to you.

Most tour members arrange to fly into Copenhagen (CPH) and out of Oslo (OSL) — choose "multicity" on flight-booking websites. Booking round-trip to one city will require a connecting flight, train trip, or additional overnight stay in Scandinavia.

We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Scandinavia guidebook.