The capital cities of Scandinavia make great destinations for a short break. Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm are only a short flight from the UK and low-cost airlines operate a number of routes that make visiting these cities more affordable than ever.
Copenhagen
The Danish capital, Copenhagen lies to the east of the country directly on the Oresund, the strait of water separating Denmark from Sweden. One of the reasons for its success is the natural harbor and many visitors to the city enjoy a stroll along the waterfront to the Little Mermaid statue.
The city centre Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and visitors and locals can alike enjoy the beautiful pathways and gardens, while the brave can enjoy the rides. Other attractions in the city include the Old Carlsberg Brewery and landmark buildings like the Marble Church and Round Tower, the oldest observatory in Europe.
Oslo
The capital city of Norway is located at the northern end of Oslofjord and surrounded by green hills and mountains, Oslo covers a large area of protected land giving the city many great parks. One of the most famous of these parks is the Vigeland Sculpture Park in the borough of Frogner. This is the largest park in the city and has 32 hectares with bridges, fountains and a popular picnic area.
Visitors will love to explore the old medieval town in Grenland and the historical area of Ekeberg, where evidence of human life dating back 10,000 years has been found and Edvard Munch painted his masterpiece “The Scream.” For an alternative view of the city, visitors can go to the top of Holmenkollen ski jump.
Stockholm
The largest city in Sweden and Scandinavia, Stockholm is spread across 14 islands at the mouth of Lake Malaren. This picturesque city is a pleasure to walk around, with over 50 bridges linking the islands together. Visitors can explore one of the best medieval city centers in the world at Gamla Stan. Nearby are the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral and the green island of Djurgarden.
One of the best attractions in Stockholm is the Vasa museum, containing a 69 meter long warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. Experts salvaged the ship in 1981 and have spent the time since restoring it to its original glory.
Whichever Scandinavian capital you choose to visit, you can be certain of a great time. These historic cities offer great views, stunning scenery and plenty of activities that will entertain visitors of all ages. All three cities are great destinations for short breaks and are only a short flight away.
