10 extraordinary experiences you can have in Scandinavia

‘The Thinking Person’s Cruise Line’, Viking, takes passengers deep into Scandinavia to explore remote glaciers and islands

In partnership with Viking

Experience the striking landscapes, intriguing history and cosmopolitan cities of Scandinavia on a Viking voyage, where your comfort and enrichment are prioritised at every moment. Given the line’s heritage in this part of the world, founded in the Baltic and with strong connections to Scandinavia, the company is truly a leader when it comes to exploring the northern realms of Europe by ship.

Viking is dedicated to offering experiences as ‘The Thinking Person’s Cruise Line’, fostering opportunities to engage in stimulating conversations with inquisitive, well-travelled individuals aboard modern, elegant ships. And then you step ashore to be fully immersed in the destinations you’re visiting – many of them exclusive to the cruise line – supporting communities and culture wherever you go.

And if Scandinavia is not one of those destinations on your radar, it should be. From fascinating Indigenous Sami culture to the Northern Lights, steaming geothermal lagoons, and dazzling glaciers and fjords, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands dial up the natural drama.

1. Iceland: Discover an underground ice tunnel

If you want to do something really cool, take a stroll through a manmade cave in the heart of an Icelandic glacier. Langjökull Glacier is the second-largest of its kind in the country, and it covers a staggering 930 square kilometres on the outskirts of Reykjavik, the capital. You get to go deep into this icy wonderland, venturing below the surface some 30 metres to discover the region’s fascinating glacial history and the impact of climate change on the country’s landscapes.

Do this on Viking’s 8-Day Iceland’s Natural Beauty & 27-Day British Isles & Iceland Explorer.

2. Norway: Hunt for the Northern Lights

There’s nothing quite like the first moment you see the Northern Lights, when the ethereal colours of the aurora dance above you like a celestial ghost. On the northern coast of Norway at Alta – completely void of light pollution – you’ll glide through bays on the lookout for this spectacular overhead display, appearing as faint wisps and then great shimmering curtains of light over the boreal forests and tundra. Is this one of the most enchanting shows on Earth? We think so…

Do this on Viking’s 13-Day In Search of the Northern Lights.

3. Norway: Visit a traditional Norwegian farm

One of the best ways to take the pulse of a country is to step into the life of a local. And you’ll get to do that in the Norwegian region of Bergen, where you visit an idyllic working farm at Øvre Eide. Backdropped by soaring mountains and mirror-like lakes, stroll emerald pastures to discover the area’s history, meet farm animals and savour local delicacies while enjoying the owners’ warm hospitality

Do this on Viking’s 15-Day Viking Homelands & 29-Days Greenland, Iceland, Norway & Beyond.

4. Faroe Islands: See the Viking Parliament

Halfway between Norway and Iceland, the Faroe Islands are a ravishing archipelago of 18 volcanic islands that jut dramatically from the North Atlantic waters. Tórshavn is the capital, home to The Viking Parliament. To this day, the Faroe Islands’ government conducts its business in the same location, and you’ll get to go behind the scenes on a tour while learning about Tróndur í Gøtu, a Viking-era chieftain who ruled over the islands during the late 10th century.

Do this on Viking’s 15-day In the Wake of Vikings & 27 Days-Viking Homelands & Majestic Iceland.

5. Norway: Stay in an ice hotel

When you reach Alta in northern Norway, you have the chance to chill out in a hotel chiselled entirely from ice and snow. The Igloo Hotel at Sorrisniva is hand-carved by local craftsmen, who are on-call when you visit to reveal just what goes into maintaining this unique property. Enjoy a drink in the ice bar before bunkering down for a cosy night atop reindeer hides.

Do this on Viking’s 13-Day In Search of the Northern LIghts.

6. Norway: Savour Nordic cuisine

All colourful fishing houses contrasted by dramatic modern architecture, the city of Tromsø reveals what life is really like in the Arctic. You’ll get a taste for this high-north destination at Dragøy, a seafood vendor that specialises in preserving fish the traditional way. Savour dried cod, smoked salmon and roe, then continue your culinary immersion at deli Helmersen, where delicious cheeses are on the menu, and a café for a sweet ending of kardemummeboller (cardamon pastry) and coffee.

Do this on Viking’s 15-day Into the Midnight Sun.

7. Norway: Take a ride in a reindeer sleigh

While you’re in Tromsø, channel your inner Santa on magical ride through the snow on a sleigh guided by reindeer. This is a major source of transport for the Indigenous Sami herdsmen, and the community you visit will tell you more about local life while you warm up around a fire and share a meal in a lavvu, the Sami’s traditional teepee-like homes, at their wilderness camp.

Do this on Viking’s 29-Days Baltic Jewels & the Midnight Sun.

8. Norway: Explore fjords by kayak

If you want to be humbled by nature, in the best possible way, you’ve come to the right place. World Heritage-listed Naerøyfjord spans some 18 kilometres from the charming village of Gudvangen. You’ll be treated to a front-row seat when you jump in a kayak and paddle along the waterway, dwarfed by jagged, snow-capped mountains reaching 1,500 metres into the sky, with waterfalls spilling off every surface. A ‘pinch me’ moment that will make you feel truly alive.

Do this on Viking’s 8-day Viking Shores & Fjords.

9. Iceland: Soak in a cliffside lagoon overlooking the ocean

All soaring mountains, black lava plains and gurgling geysers, Iceland is actively volcanic. For weary travellers, this is good news – it means there are plenty of mineral-rich hot springs to soak in. Including Sky Lagoon on the outskirts of Reykjavik, where you’ll bathe in geothermal waters while gazing out over the North Atlantic Ocean. Follow the lead of locals and then take an invigorating cold plunge before detoxifying in the sauna.

Do this on Viking’s 13-Day Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes & 29-Days Greenland, Iceland, Norway & Beyond.

10. Norway: Witness a Sami shamanic ritual

When you arrive in the Norwegian town of Narvik, you have the chance to take another deep dive into Indigenous Sami culture while visiting a local wilderness camp. Cosy beside a bonfire, you’ll be part of an ancient Sami shaman ceremony – the shaman (known as noaidi) are not only spiritual leaders, but also serve as healers and mediators with the spiritual world. Your hosts will also summon the Northern Lights during an intense drumming session, designed to bring the aurora to the night sky.

Do this on Viking’s 13-Day In Search of the Northern Lights.

Book your next Viking cruise now! There has never been a better time, with a range of the line’s ocean cruises now offering special savings for curious travellers.