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!

Another vote for Stockholm. No more expensive than UK.

Haven't been to the others but we loved Oslo. It is very expensive though, especially if you want to drink while you're there!

@ChipswithMayonnaise I have been to Reykjavik, thank you! Many years ago but I loved it. Would like to try somewhere new this time.

thanks everyone for your ideas, a lot of mixed views so I will consider!

@EconomyClassRockstar that’s an interesting perspective, I have a friend who lived in Finland for a year and he said the same about having a connection there to really get it.

Wherever I go, it will be a solo trip so ideally a safe city. I probably should also check the forecasts for all! When I looked at Copenhagen and Oslo a week ago it was showing low 20s but I suppose could get hotter as the month goes on.

I have only been to Helsinki out of them and we didn't love it. We did as park of a 3 part trip starting in Riga, coach to Tallinn and then ferry to Helsinki. We much preferred the other two. Been to Billund in Denmark and we loved the chilled way of life but that is very small compared to Copenhagen but that is on the list. We also did Gothenburg which we loved, it was winter but found plenty to do, they have a spa too which we didn't do but looks good. Didn't feel as expensive as Denmark and Finland.

close your eyes when paying for anything.

prices are eyewatering

I loved Oslo and am planning a return trip. As well as the things others have mentioned, I enjoyed an architectural tour of the Opera House (and we went to a concert one evening) and Ibsen's house - although that may a bit niche. Don't miss the National Museum of Norway.
If you have a week, I would really recommend the 'Norway in a nutshell' train from Oslo to Bergen. Spectacular. We broke the journey with a night in Flam, which I think was a good idea as it could have felt a little rushed otherwise.
Bergen is also a fantastic place to visit. There is a wonderful art museum and the historic Hanseatic league buildings are fascinating.

Another vote for Stockholm. Out of copehagen and olso it has the most to see, prettiest old town and is the cheapest. The swedish kronor is weak against the pound.

I haven't visited Helsinki, so can't compare. (Although the second cities of Aarhus in Denmark and Gothenburg in Sweden are equally great or even better for short city breaks...but I don't want to confuse you more!)