Scandinavia is the European destination most South African travellers underestimate. It's harder to do cheaply than Italy or Spain, the daylight changes dramatically by season, and the cultural rhythms are genuinely different from southern Europe. But for travellers who've already done the obvious circuits, and especially those who want fjords, midnight sun, and the cleanest cities on earth, it's exceptional.
Here's the honest version of a Europamundo Scandinavia tour from a South African perspective.
The route
Most tours run Copenhagen → Stockholm → Oslo → Bergen with the Norwegian fjords, often with side trips to Helsinki (by overnight ferry) or the Lofoten Islands. 12 to 15 days. Coach plus overnight ferry plus some rail (the Bergen-Oslo train is one of the most scenic in Europe).
The big cities
Copenhagen: design, food, Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid (smaller than you think), Nyhavn harbour. The most cyclable city in Europe.
Stockholm: 14 islands joined by bridges. The Vasa Museum (the warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628, recovered intact in 1961) is genuinely one of the best museums in Europe. Gamla Stan is the historic old town.
Oslo: the most underrated capital. Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Viking Ship Museum, the Holmenkollen ski jump. Compact and easy to walk.
Bergen: the gateway to the fjords. Bryggen (the wooden Hanseatic wharf, UNESCO listed) is the highlight. Rainier than you'd believe, pack a rain jacket.
The fjords
This is the actual reason people come. The Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, and Nærøyfjord cruises are bucket-list standard. You'll do a multi-hour fjord cruise as part of the tour, with waterfalls, cliffs, and small villages along the banks. Bring a windproof jacket, even in July, the fjord wind is cold.
The expensive part
Scandinavia is the most expensive part of Europe to spend money in. A beer in Oslo: €11. A decent dinner: €40 to €60 per head. Coffee: €4 to €5. Plan your on-ground budget at R3,000 to R4,000 per day, well above Italy or Iberia.
What it costs from SA
- Land tour pp sharing: R45,000 to R65,000 (Scandinavia is genuinely expensive)
- Flights JHB/CPT to Copenhagen via Doha or Dubai: R14,000 to R20,000
- Schengen visa: R2,200 per adult (all Scandinavian countries are Schengen)
- On-ground spend: R35,000 to R50,000
- All-in couple: R210,000 to R280,000
It is not cheap. But it includes scenery and experiences you can't get on any cheaper itinerary.
When to go
June-July: the midnight sun. 24 hours of daylight in northern Norway. Mild temperatures (15 to 22°C). The classic Scandinavia season.
August: still long days, slightly warmer, less crowded.
September: autumn colours, occasional Northern Lights starting in late September in the far north. Cooler.
December-February: Northern Lights peak, snow, very short days. A completely different trip, beautiful but cold. Specialist itineraries.
What to pack
- Layers, temperatures swing 10°C in a day, especially near fjords
- Genuinely waterproof rain jacket (not water-resistant)
- Sturdy walking shoes, fjord pathways are uneven
- An eye mask if you go in summer, the midnight sun means hotel rooms are bright at 23:00
- A power bank, Norwegian fjord regions have patchy phone coverage
The verdict
Scandinavia is the European trip for travellers who want quiet beauty, cold air, and dramatic landscapes. It's not a foodie trip (the food is fine but not the star), it's not a party trip, and it's not a budget trip. Save it for your third or fourth European tour, after you've done the obvious circuits.
For warmer alternatives, see our Spain & Portugal in one tour. For first-timers, our first-time guide to Europe covers the basics. Browse all Europe tours.
