Nordic/Scandinavia Advice please!

[RiotNotDiet]

I have an unexpected child free week at the end of the month! I love city breaks, museums, galleries and eating, but also want to avoid anywhere too hot. So I’m wondering if a few nights somewhere like Helsinki, Oslo or Copenhagen might suit me. I’ve never been and am also open to other ideas if anyone can recommend places. I struggle to ‘go with the flow’ so would like to sort myself out a proper plan. I’m not loaded but willing to splash out as it’s not often I get chance to go anywhere. I’d definitely be willing to splurge for an amazing hotel as a birthday gift to myself.

If anybody has any tips as to which city is the prettiest, most cultural etc or other suggestions I’d be very grateful, thank you!

Of the three I'd choose Copenhagen first, with Oslo and Helsinki as second and thrid choice - but honestly, all three meet your requirements and you'll enjoy any of these cities.

See the "Visit Copenhagen" website for ideas and information about the Danish capital

I want to go to Copenhagen, but we're just back from a flying trip through Helsinki and TBH, it was OK, but didn't hit me as amazing in the way that I instantly liked (for instance) Amsterdam.

Oslo really grew on me. Vigeland Park for the sculptures. Tram to Holmenkollen (ski jump with views). Harbour ferry for island hopping. Walking up the roof of the opera house.

Copenhagen is also lovely. Head to the royal palaces, do a canal boat tour from Nyhavn, walk up the spiral ramp in the round tower, swim in one of the canals (lots of designated free spots to swim), go along the water front to the design museum.

Not been to Helsinki but planning it. You can’t go wrong with Copenhagen or Oslo.

I’ve just come back from a three night trip to Oslo and would recommend. We found it to be a safe feeling gorgeous city. We went to the Munch museum ( has a great rooftop bar), booked a sauna and swim (called KOK Sauna) and did a fjord cruise. Also went on the metro to visit the ski jump which was fun as my DD zip lined down it but to be honest if I was solo I probably wouldnt have bothered. It was pricy but we enjoyed great food and shopping and everyone was friendly.

Oslo is great at this time of year but it can be really hot. We went in the second week of July last year and it was 30 degrees and barely gets dark. I loved it though. Great museums, easy to get around, fantastic bars. I loved the urban beaches where you can swim too - we spent a lot of time at the one in front of the Munch museum.

Copenhagen is nice. Can be combined with Malmö (quick train ride away), if you run out of things to do.

I’d actually recommend Stockholm over the other three, if you haven’t been.

But of the three you mention I liked Oslo the best.

Copenhagen is fantastic, we had an amazing break there as two adults. A Copenhagen Card will get you into lots of museums too. I second the suggestion to visit Malmo for the day as well.

Can't go wrong with any. Copenhagen feels more historic with a bigger Old Town. Oslo is very modern. Both fantastic, safe, easy places to get around. I think Oslo has better, more diverse/interesting museums than Copenhagen.

All of these are excellent. But have you considered Bergen? I absolutely love Bergen.

Loved Copenhagen. And I'd go to Lund rather than Malmö if you want the novelty of crossing to Sweden.

Having lived there I like Copenhagen a lot - it’s got a great mix of pretty and old and modern , also got the beach ( white sand /blue sea if the weather is nice). I also really like Stockholm and you didn’t mention it -

We used to go to Lund a lot when we lived in Copenhagen - I liked Malmö too - also went there a lot buying stuff- Sweden was slightly cheaper than Copenhagen !!

Is there a reason you haven't mentioned Stockholm? Skansen, The Vasa Museum, Drottningholm, The Abba Museum. There's lots of different things to do. Copenhagen is also fab, Tivoli Gardens, Torvehallerne Market, the Design Museum, Frederiksborg Castle, the Viking Ship Museum. Haven't been to Oslo yet but sure there's lots to see there as well.

Copenhagen is lovely, but I'd also add Stockholm to your list. It's absolutely gorgeous! I'd also consider Tallinn with a trip to Helsinki on the ferry. Tallinn is so friendly, full of history and really fascinating but forward thinking city. Great food and reasonable prices

Another vote for Lund (rather than Malmö) for a Swedish day-trip from Copenhagen.

Oh wow thank you all!

I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of Stockholm, maybe a vague memory of someone telling me it was very expensive. But tbh I’m expecting they all will be. In a fantasy world I could combine 2 or even 3 cities. Realistically my credit card would probably melt in horror!

I will have a ponder and look at all these suggestions, thanks so much. I think I’m more strongly drawn to Oslo but no idea why.

You can do Copenhagen and Stockholm together very easily - 5 hour train on a lovely route or 35 minutes flight and cheap and frequent with SAS -l is we did both a fair few times- Stockholm is actually a bit cheaper than Copenhagen - we found the kroner price was often the same - ( both use kroner) but difference is 8.6 Danish to pound 12.3 Swedish -

I second this. Why not split your time and go to Tallinn, it has a lovely old town and prices are a lot more reasonable than in the Scandi / Nordic countries. Then you can take a quick ferry (few hours crossing time) to Helsinki and spend a night there. I recommend Suomenlinna!

Oslo is nice but Norway is the most expensive of the Scandi/ Nordic countries, and Olso as a capital is rather pricey

Oslo is fab. Do the Munch museum, the national museum, and visit Vigeland park. And do a boat trip!

I’ve not been to the other suggestions but Oslo was just like many other major city’s to me and had its usual downfalls

we did go to Tromso which was fantastic and got a 3 day cruise with transfers back to Oslo and spent 2 days there

Helsinki. There are so many cool little islands you can go to with different things on them... on the water, but still 'in' Helsinki.

Reykjavík, if you haven't been, is the best.

I absolutely love Helsinki but I do think it helps to have a Finnish friend/family with you in order for you to fully appreciate it. Understanding Finland helps you get Helsinki more iygwim.

Something like Getyourguide should work in Helsinki?