You’ve longed to visit Northern Europe, but wonder just how to narrow it all down into a memorable, but not overwhelming vacation. Enter the self-drive road trip! In just two splendid weeks, you can take the wheel (and control the pace) of your personalized Scandinavia road trip. Drive through picturesque towns like Kalmar, Ystad and Orebro, that you may not have been able to visit as part of a packaged tour. Take as much time as you like exploring the culture of Stockholm, the history of Copenhagen and the many museums and palaces of Oslo.
Take a look at this example itinerary and start daydreaming about your own self-drive holiday in Scandinavia. Need a refresher on the geography of Scandinavia, the Nordic Countries & the Baltics? Here you go. Together, we can craft a vacation that covers all the bases you want - and I can take care of all the headache-inducing aspects like car rental, car insurance, an international driver’s license, hotel and dining accommodations and the lot. Your only job right now? Get inspired.
What Your Scandinavia Self-Drive Holiday Could Look Like
Days One and Two
Photo by Adam Gavlák on Unsplash
Arrive in Stockholm and spend time getting acclimated and exploring this beautiful city. Shop along the Drottninggatan street and pop into cafes and restaurants in lively Ostermalm. The best way to get around is by foot (you’ll have plenty of time in the car soon), so walk to Old Town (Gamla Stan) and its Royal Palace, old churches and medieval houses. Take a ferry ride out to Djurgarden island, where you’ll find the kitschy and irresistible Abba Museum, the Nordic Museum and the Skansen open-air museum.
Day Three
Today, you’ll pick up your rental car (or it will be delivered right to the door of your hotel) and start the drive to the south of Sweden. Your stop for the night will be in the medieval city of Kalmar, with its well-preserved 17th- and 18th-century buildings and more than 800-year-old Kalmar Castle.
Day Four
With Kalmar as a base, you’ll explore Oland and its lovely and remote beaches, as well as the historical sites of Borgholm Castle and Solliden Palace. In the southern part of the island, stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stora Alvaret, a giant limestone plateau known for its history and biodiversity.
Day Five
Continue along the coast to Blekinge, the naval city of Karlskrona and the apple orchards of Skane. Continue on to charming Ystad.
Day Six
Do some further exploration of Skane and the Osterlen area, full of adorable villages, sandy beaches and historical sites. See the Ales Stenar stone ship monument, composed of 59 massive boulders. Sample smoked fish and apple cider in the fishing village of Kaseberga. And take a swim at the 7.5-mile-long Sandhammaren beach.
Day Seven
Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash
Your next destination is Copenhagen, but along the way, you’ll want to pull over (remember, your time is your own when you self-drive!) in the old towns of Skanor and Falsterbo for their white-sand beaches. Crossing the famous Oresund Bridge, you’ll arrive in the capital city.
Day Eight
Spend time touring Copenhagen - think Amalienborg Palace and Christianborg Palace - grab lunch along Stroget Street, then board your overnight cruise to Oslo.
Day Nine
Spend a day adventuring about Oslo - walking from the Royal Palace to the mighty Akershus Fortress to the Oslo Opera House to the Aker Brugge harborside area.
Day Ten
Spend another day exploring the Norwegian capital at your own pace, perhaps the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Holmenkollen ski jump, the Viking Ship Museum and popular Karl Johans Street.
Day Eleven
Today you’ll drive the scenic route to Orebro, stopping at Karlstad, “The City of Sunshine,” where the Klara River and the massive Lake Vanern meet.
Day Twelve
Spend time wandering about Orebro, popping into the 14th-century Orebro Castle and walking through the Wadkoping open-air museum with structures dating as far back as the 17th century. Don’t miss the Slottsparken (Palace Park), beloved for its thick forest, winding footpaths and creeks.
Day Thirteen
Continue on to Eskilstuna to visit the open-air museum Rademachersmedjorna. There are countless castles and manor houses in the area, including the 16th-century Gripsholm Castle.
Day Fourteen
Finally, enjoy one last Scandinavian breakfast, say goodbye to your car of the last two weeks, do some last-minute shopping and depart for home.
Feeling inspired? Here are a few more choices in the area:
The Ultimate Norway Road Trip
Take two full weeks to explore the breathtaking fjord landscapes of Norway, starting and ending in Oslo. Visit the famous Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord and Hardangerfjord. See the waterfalls of Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil and visit the villages of Flam and Floen and cities of Bergen and Trondheim. The best part? Driving the incredibly exciting routes of Trollstigen, the Atlantic Ocean Road and the Eagle Road. Read more about this inspiring destination here:
The Scenic Route in Sweden
Discover the stunning natural landscapes of Sweden and the exciting cities of Stockholm and Gothenburg on a two-week, self-drive road trip. Visit countryside towns like Kalmar and Ystad and the gorgeous region of Dalarna. Take as much time as you like at historic castles and sandy beaches. This is in-depth Sweden, at your own pace.
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