Part of the appeal of journey is in discovering the unknown. In a world the place most locations have been photographed, reviewed, and hashtagged into predictability, true discovery feels uncommon. But Scandinavia is completely different. It isn’t flashy, it’s not attempting to promote you something, and possibly that’s the purpose; it’s simply very, excellent at being itself. Once you’ve skilled it, you’ll realise it’s much less about checking off sights and extra about how the place makes you’re feeling.
So, the place do you start, and the way do you employ Avios factors to get there? Let’s break it down by metropolis and surroundings.
What are Avios? And how do I exploit them?
Avios factors are the reward foreign money utilized by British Airways (by way of British Airways Club) and its associate airways, reminiscent of Iberia and Aer Lingus, in addition to Qatar Airways. They’re a part of a scheme that means that you can earn factors by flights with BA and its companions, in addition to on daily basis spending on devoted bank cards and thru a variety of retail companions, which could be redeemed for flights, resorts, automotive rent, and extra. Avios collectors can guide reward seats on British Airways flights. The solely money it’s important to pay for a reward seat is the airline tax, which might begin from as little as 50p per journey.
With that stated, let’s head to Scandinavia…
Stockholm, Sweden
The capital of Sweden and Scandinavia’s largest metropolis, Stockholm spreads throughout 14 scenic islands the place Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea. There’s water all over the place, crisp design in each nook, and a rhythm that’s quick with out feeling frantic. It’s fashionable, sure, however by no means at the price of its historical past.
Here are our prime picks for issues to do in Stockholm:
Get gloriously misplaced in Gamla Stan, town’s medieval outdated city dwelling to the Royal Palace, Storkyrkan Cathedral, and the Nobel Prize Museum. It’s one of many best-preserved historic centres in Europe.
Swim, kayak, or simply watch the sunshine shift throughout the water; it’s throughout you.
Take a ship to Vaxholm, Fjäderholmarna, or Grinda and revel in every thing from kayaking to native seafood lunches. Public ferries run year-round, however summer time is the perfect season to discover.
Visit Södermalm, town’s inventive hub stuffed with indie outlets and bars.
Spend a day on the Vasa Museum (dwelling to a Seventeenth-century warship), the ABBA Museum, Skansen (an open-air museum and zoo), and the waterfront amusement park Gröna Lund, all on one lush island.
Have fika (Swedish espresso break) at Vete-Katten or a neighborhood bakery.
Visit Östermalms Saluhall and refill on gourmand eats at this traditional meals corridor.
Make a day journey to Drottningholm Palace, a UNESCO website and royal residence.
If you’re on the lookout for Avios reward flights to take you there, off-peak Economy flights with British Airways begin from 18,500 Avios plus £1 return. You’ll additionally earn BA loyalty tiers when reserving by British Airways, which assist you get lounge entry and precedence verify in.
Gothenburg, Sweden
Gothenburg doesn’t at all times make the entrance pages, however that’s precisely the purpose. It’s much less polished than Stockholm, extra grounded, and stuffed with character. A working port metropolis with indie vitality and nice seafood.
Here are our suggestions for issues to do in Gothenburg:
Island-hop the Gothenburg Archipelago, a cluster of over 20 principally car-free islands. You may catch a ferry from Saltholmen or Lilla Varholmen and go to the close by islands of Asperö, Brännö, Styrsö, and Vargö.
Rent a kayak at Kajakbryggan and paddle by town’s 400 km of canals. Gothenburg is greatest seen from sea degree, particularly should you’re in for a real eco-friendly expertise.
Being a port metropolis, Gothenburg takes seafood significantly. Go upscale at Sjömagasinet or hold it informal at Feskekôrka, town’s fish market. For seasonal treats, head to Restaurant Atelier for oysters and Champagne.
Gothenburg’s outdated city, Haga, has reinvented itself with indie boutiques and cafes tucked inside charming wood buildings. Don’t miss a espresso and cinnamon bun the dimensions of your face.
Spend the evening aboard Barken Viking, a superbly restored 1907 windjammer turnedhotel. Stop in for dinner or drinks within the onboard restaurant should you’re not staying over.
Reward flights to Gothenburg begin from simply 18,500 Avios plus £1 return in off-peak Economy. This is likely one of the greatest Avios reward flight redemptions for a laid-back, inexperienced metropolis break.
Everything it is advisable to plan your journey in 2025
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is the form of place that makes you need to commerce in your automotive for a motorcycle and takeaway espresso for a smørrebrød at a waterside café. It’s clear, assured, and constructed for individuals, not site visitors. Public areas really feel intentional and naturally folded into day by day life.
Here’s what to do in Copenhagen:
Your go to isn’t full and not using a journey to Tivoli Gardens. Open since 1843, it’s the second-oldest amusement park on this planet and an inspiration for Walt Disney himself.
Take a selfie in entrance of Nyhavn’s rows of brightly colored homes and bobbing boats. This outdated business port is now a favorite hangout, lined with eating places and bars, jazz spilling from open doorways. Hans Christian Andersen as soon as lived at No. 20, sure, the very one who wrote The Little Mermaid.
Join a guided canal cruise or lease a kayak and discover Copenhagen by yourself. Highlights embody floating previous the Opera House, Black Diamond Library, and the statue of The Little Mermaid.
Step into Danish royal historical past at Rosenborg Castle, the place you’ll discover the Crown Jewels and superbly preserved royal residences. Afterwards, stroll by the adjoining King’s Garden, a peaceable oasis within the metropolis centre.
Watch the altering of the guard or just admire the symmetry of Amalienborg Palace, dwelling to the Danish royal household. It’s one of many oldest monarchies on this planet with a lineage that goes again to Viking king, Harald Bluetooth.
If you’re planning a multi-city break in Scandinavia, flying by way of British Airways into Copenhagen is usually probably the most cost-effective entry level. With direct off-peak flights from 18,500 Avios plus £1 return, it’s a wise approach to begin your Nordic escape.
Oslo, Norway
With its inhabitants of over 700,000, Oslo could also be a capital metropolis, however it doesn’t really feel like one within the conventional sense. Instead of city sprawl, you’ll discover a metropolis hemmed in by thick forests, fjords, and day by day life that bends towards the outside. Oslo’s greatest flex is that you would be able to go island-hopping within the morning, hike a mountain by lunch, and hit a world-class museum earlier than dinner.
Here’s what must be in your Oslo itinerary:
Take within the artwork scene that’s all over the place. Check out large murals in Tøyen, over 200 bare sculptures in Vigeland Park, and don’t miss the National Museum (dwelling to The Scream) or the modern new Munch Museum.
Fjord-hopping is a factor, and it’s essential to do it. Oslo sits on the sting of the Oslofjord, and hopping between its tiny islands by ferry is the proper summer time pastime. Visit Hovedøya for monastery ruins, Lindøya for vibrant cabins, and Gresshølmen for seaside walks and contemporary seafood.
Ride the metro up the forest and be on a mountain climbing path in below half-hour.
Eat your method by Oslo with reindeer stew at Dovrehallen, small plates at Katla, cocktails at Pier 42, and a lap round Mathallen’s meals stalls. For a splurge, guide Maaemo and don’t look again.
Avios reward flights, booked with British Airways, begin from 23,500 Avios plus £1 return for off-peak Economy reward seats.
Tromsø, Norway
Located over 200 miles above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is usually referred to as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” and it lives as much as the title. Ringed by snowy peaks and fjords, this surprisingly cosmopolitan metropolis is the proper place to chase the Northern Lights, discover Sámi tradition, and get near arctic wildlife.
The greatest time to go to depends upon your bucket record. Winter brings the aurora borealis, canine sledging, and polar evening (November to mid-January) when the solar barely rises above the horizon. Summer means midnight solar, golden mild, and lengthy days for mountain climbing, kayaking, and paragliding. Either method, it’s a visit you gained’t overlook.
Here are the actions we advocate:
Chase the Northern Lights. Tromsø sits proper below the auroral oval. Go with a information, or take a quiet electrical boat out into the fjord and wait.
Ride the Cable Car to Mount Storsteinen. Take the Fjellheisen cable automotive 421 metres above sea degree and look out over sea, islands, and metropolis. If it’s darkish, you may see the aurora. If it’s daylight, lace up your boots and stroll.
Spend time with Sámi herders and their reindeer. There’s storytelling, a scorching meal, and a greater approach to perceive this place than something you’ll learn on-line.
Explore the Arctic Cathedral, certainly one of Tromsø’s most iconic buildings, impressed by snow and ice.
Go Arctic Fishing within the Fjords. Join a neighborhood boat tour to forged your line into Tromsø’s icy waters, wealthy with cod, halibut, and herring.
Reward seats to Tromsø, booked with Avios reward factors, begin from 23,500 Avios plus £1return in Economy (off-peak).
Beyond the cities
Scandinavia’s cities are nice, however they’re simply the beginning. Once you head out, you’ll discover deep forests, rocky islands, and landscapes that really feel untouched. What comes subsequent is a shortlist of unmissable nature experiences that showcase Scandinavia at its wildest and most unforgettable.
Norwegian fjords
There’s a quieter aspect to Scandinavia that doesn’t present up in postcards, till you’re standing on the fringe of a fjord in western Norway, questioning how this type of silence nonetheless exists.
Here are some epic fjord adventures we extremely advocate including to your itinerary:
Geirangerfjord: UNESCO-listed and endlessly photogenic, Geirangerfjord earns its fame. Cruise previous sheer cliffs and waterfalls, cease on the Ørnesvingen lookout for sweeping views, or tackle the Geiranger Skywalk should you’re not afraid of heights. The close by Fjord Centre provides a strong overview with out the vacationer rush.
Sognefjord: If you’re solely seeing one fjord, make it this one. Called the “King of the Fjords” for a motive, Sognefjord is large and filled with highlights. Hop on the Flåm Railway, hike throughout Jostedalsbreen glacier, or detour to Urnes Stave Church, certainly one of Norway’s oldest wood buildings.
Aurlandsfjord & Nærøyfjord: Two arms of Sognefjord that punch properly above their measurement. Base your self in Flåm, take the prepare as much as Myrdal, then experience a ferry by Nærøyfjord’s slim, steep-sided channel to Gudvangen. It’s a traditional for a motive, and one way or the other nonetheless feels wild.
Hardangerfjord: Trolltunga is the headline act (sure, that cliff you’ve seen on Instagram) however there’s extra right here. Stay in Odda or Rosendal for entry to glacier hikes and quiet walks throughout the Hardangervidda plateau. Bonus: this space blooms with apple and cherry orchards in spring.
Lysefjord: Just outdoors Stavanger, Lysefjord delivers massive views with minimal journey. Climb to Pulpit Rock, take the 4,444 steps up Flørli, or hop on a fjord cruise for a front-row seat. It’s well-liked, however nonetheless value it and certainly one of Norway’s few licensed Sustainable Destinations.
Getting there with Avios
You can fly to Bergen, Oslo, Trondheim, or Tromsø utilizing Avios reward flights and plan your fjord tour. Not all locations have a 12 months spherical schedule nevertheless, so be sure you verify. For instance:
Bergen could be your launch pad for Sognefjord, Aurlandsfjord, Nærøyfjord, andHardangerfjord.
Oslo connects properly to Geirangerfjord and the scenic railway to Flåm.
Trondheim gives fast entry to Trondheimsfjord and northern fjords.
Best Avios reward flight tip
Fly into Bergen by way of Oslo utilizing your Avios, then choose up a rental automotive or join by way of prepare or ferry to the fjords. Several scenic combo buses, ferries, and prepare excursions function from right here between May and September.
Scandinavian mountains
The Scandinavian mountains (locals name them Scandes) stretch throughout Norway, Sweden, and a slice of Finland, forming the area’s backbone. Though not very excessive in altitude, these mountains are among the many steepest on this planet and are far bigger in space than the Alps and the Pyrenees mixed.
The vary has been round for about 400 million years, which explains the weathered cliffs, deep valleys, and the sense that nature’s been at work right here for a very long time. They run from the southern tip of Norway, by Sweden’s Dalarna, all the way in which to Treriksröset, the assembly level of Norway, Sweden, and Finland, earlier than lastly dropping into the Arctic Ocean. The Scandes change utterly all year long: in winter, they’re quiet, white, and nearly otherworldly. Come summer time, the identical slopes are inexperienced, alive, and dotted with hikers as a substitute of reindeer.
So, what must you do if you’re there? Here are a few of our prime picks:
Sweden
Sarek National Park: A UNESCO-listed wilderness crammed with glaciers, excessive peaks, and roaming moose.
Kungsleden (King’s Trail): Sweden’s most iconic 440 km mountain climbing route by 4 nationwide parks.
The Jämtland Triangle: An incredible newbie hike with cosy huts and jaw-dropping views.
Kebnekaise: Sweden’s tallest mountain with trails for all ranges.
Padjelantaleden Trail: A scenic stroll by Sweden’s largest nationwide park.
Finland
Halti Fell & Käsivarsi Wilderness Area: Tackle Finland’s highest peak or observe the Nordkalottleden Trail.
Lemmenjoki National Park: Finland’s largest, the place you may pan for gold or catch the Northern Lights.
Norway
Jotunheimen National Park & Besseggen Ridge: Norway’s prime mountain climbing area with unforgettable views.
Gaustabanen: A Cold War-era funicular prepare hidden inside a mountain.
Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen): A 604-metre-high flat rock overlooking the Lysefjord.
Aurora Spirit Distillery: Sip whisky the place the mountains meet the fjord, the world’s northernmost distillery.
But it’s not all mountain climbing boots and heavy backpacks, there’s loads of different enjoyable available, no matterthe season. Here are a few of our different favorite mountain actions that deliver the Scandes tolife:
Snowmobile safari within the Lyngen Alps: Drive your snowmobile by one of the crucial picturesque areas of the Scandes. End the experience with a hearty campfire meal within the snow.
Snowshoe as much as Trolltunga: Climb to certainly one of Scandinavia’s most iconic ledges to view Ringedalen Lake and the Folgefonna glacier with a information. It’s difficult however unforgettable.
Kayak round Lysefjorden: Paddle previous sheer rock faces, waterfalls, and maybe even curious seals on a kayak journey beneath towering cliffs reaching 400 metres excessive.
Husky sledding in Kiruna: Meet the canines, study to drive, after which sprint by the Swedish Arctic on an exhilarating dogsled journey.
Hike Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen): As seen in Mission Impossible: Fallout, this dramatic 4–6 hour guided hike delivers unbeatable views over Lysefjorden and severe bragging rights.
The Northern Lights
Nobody will imagine you’ve been on a Scandinavian journey till you give them conclusive proof of getting seen the Northern Lights. Known because the Aurora Borealis, this pure mild present lights up the skies above northern Scandinavia in dazzling waves of inexperienced, pink, and purple. The phenomenon is mostly seen from September to March, particularly close to the equinoxes.
And the perfect half? Some of probably the most dependable Northern Lights locations are accessible by way of British Airways Avios reward flights.
To assist you plan the proper aurora escape, listed here are our prime really helpful locations to experiencethem in Sweden:
Abisko National Park: Thanks to a climate phenomenon over Lake Torneträsk referred to as the “Blue Hole,” the skies above Abisko stay clearer right here than nearly wherever else in Sweden. You can take a chairlift to the Aurora Sky Station or trek and camp within the park.
Jukkasjärvi and the Torne Valley: Sleep within the world-famous ICEHOTEL, carved contemporary each winter from blocks of the Torne River. Guided snowmobile and dogsled excursions take you deep into the wild, or you may dine below the celebs close to Esrange Space Centre. Other wonderful spots embody Lake Poustijarvi, Nikkaluokta, and Vittangi.
Porjus and Laponia: This tiny village of 400 individuals sits on the sting of the Laponia World Heritage Area, close to nationwide parks like Muddus and Stora Sjöfallet. Clear skies, low mild air pollution, and constantly chilly temperatures make Porjus one of many nation’s most beloved aurora viewing spots.
Lulea, Jokkmokk and Gallivare: Head into the Brändö forests for aurora chasing in Lulea. In Gallivare, experience a snowmobile to the highest of Dundret Mountain and revel in a non-public mild present.
Tromsø, Norway: Tromsø is likely one of the most accessible and dependable locations to witness the lights. Enjoy whale watching, reindeer safaris, or the Polar Museum whereas ready for the sky to bounce.
Kayleigh Hepworth
Kayleigh Hepworth is Head of Marketing at Reward Flight Finder. Reward Flight Finder is the proper instrument to seek for British Airways reward flights. If you want to be a visitor blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog with a purpose to increase your profile, please contact us.
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