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Rick Steves' Best of Scandinavian Capitals in 10 Days Tour
On this tour, you'll city-hop between the capitals of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway experiencing the royal castles, cutting-edge design, seafaring legends, and cozy traditions of Scandinavia. From Copenhagen's fun-loving Nyhavn and fairy-tale Rosenborg Castle to Stockholm's lantern-lit Gamla Stan and impressive Vasa Ship Museum to Oslo's whimsical Frogner Park and a traditional Norwegian folk museum, you'll enjoy the best of Scandinavia's capitals. Let's go…
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Day 1: Welcome to Copenhagen
We'll gather at our Copenhagen hotel 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.
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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.
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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. Afterward, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Day 10: Tour Over After Breakfast
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!
Ready to enjoy fika? Learn more and book your seat on our Best of Scaninavian Capitals tour.
Itinerary specifics subject to change.