Through Southern Sweden to the North
My first major trip to Northern Europe began in 1995 - a four-week journey through Sweden, Norway, northern Finland, and eastern Denmark. We traveled by minibus, carrying sleeping bags and food. In southern Norway, we stayed longer to explore its many attractions - though only highlights are described here.
In southern Sweden, we visited Malmö, Helsingborg, and Lund with its historic cathedral. On the way to Oslo, we passed through Göteborg and saw Lake Vänern - Sweden’s largest lake and Europe’s third largest.
Oslo
Oslo, Norway’s capital, lies at the end of the Oslofjord. The city center is framed by three landmarks: the Royal Castle to the northwest, the railway station to the southeast, and the port and city hall to the south. Ferries from the port go to Bygdøy, the museum peninsula, where you can explore historic buildings and ships.
From Oslo to Bergen
After Oslo, our most beautiful days in Norway began: daily views of fjords, mountains, and waterfalls. We alternated between highlands and deep valleys, narrow ravines and wide plains - nature’s grandeur unfolded at every turn.
We traveled west from Oslo, passing smaller waterfalls at first, then larger, more dramatic ones. We also visited several stave churches - timeless wooden masterpieces. Finally, we admired Norway’s world-famous fjords.
Bergen Railway and Sognefjord
One day, we took the Bergen Railway from Voss to Finse, then the Flåms Railway - a steep descent from Myrdal (where the Bergen Railway stops) down to Flåm, along the Aurlandsfjord. In just 20 kilometers, the train climbs 867 meters.
On a calm, clear morning, we left the Sognefjord toward the Lustrafjord - pausing to admire the unique interplay of sun, fog, clouds, and water.
Mountains and Valleys - Snow Everywhere
Norway’s mountain world is perfect for hiking and climbing. We spent hours at Europe’s largest mainland glacier - Jostedalsbreen - and in Jotunheimen, home to peaks over 2,400 meters.
Not only stave churches, but also wooden houses - like those in Røros (a UNESCO World Heritage site southeast of Trondheim) - reflect Norway’s timber tradition.
From Trondheim to Tromsø
Beyond the Polar Circle, the landscape flattens and vegetation thins. Near Bodø, we saw Saltstraumen - the world’s strongest tidal current, caused by a narrow fjord opening into the Atlantic.
After Tromsø and Hammerfest, we reached Magerøya, the North Cape island, by ferry. Today, a tunnel runs under the bay - but the famous North Cape rock isn’t Europe’s northernmost point (excluding Svalbard and Greenland). That’s a small rock just west of the cape - which we couldn’t see, hidden in dense clouds.
North Cape and Lapland
On our return, we drove through Finland and Sweden - visiting Lake Inari and Rovaniemi, Lapland’s capital. Via Luleå, Umeå, and Uppsala, we reached Stockholm.
Stockholm and Southern Sweden
In Stockholm, we explored the city center in detail under perfect weather. The highlight is Gamla Stan - the central island with colorful houses and narrow, steep lanes. Later, we traveled south to Sweden and swam in Lake Vättern.
Copenhagen and the Island Møn
Finally, we arrived in Copenhagen - and the next day, on the island of Møn, famous for its chalk cliffs. On clear days, you can see Møn’s white coast from the German island Hiddensee. In Gedser’s port, you’ll still find the old ramp where trains once boarded ferries to Rostock - until the early 1990s.
This marked the end of my first major journey to Northern Europe. I saw many places I’ll revisit on future Scandinavia trips.
Link Tips
- Cycling to the North Cape (over 3,600 miles)
- North Cape Welcome to 71° North
- Northern lights Aurora Borealis pictures
- Scandinavia at Wikipedia
-
… more of South Norway:
-
… more of Stockholm:
-
… more of Copenhagen:
