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Top 20 Nordic Travel Destinations for 2026—and What Makes Each One Unforgettable

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8 min
July 10, 2025

Top 20 Nordic Travel Destinations for 2026 are…

1. Lofoten Islands, Norway

Must-See & Do:
Hike the Reinebringen trail for panoramic views over turquoise fjords and jagged peaks.

Go There If You Love:
Epic photography, midnight sun adventures, and landscapes that look painted by the gods.

Winter:

  • Witness the Northern Lights dancing over snow-dusted fishing cabins
  • Try Arctic surfing in Unstad Bay

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Lofoten, click here

Summer:

  • Hike endless daylight trails under the midnight sun
  • Go kayaking among towering fjords

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Lofoten, click here

2. Reykjavik, Iceland

Must-See & Do:
Soak in the Sky Lagoon, a geothermal infinity pool overlooking the North Atlantic.

Go There If You Love:
Modern Nordic culture, volcanic landscapes, and vibrant culinary scenes.

Winter:

  • Hunt the aurora on Super Jeep tours
  • Explore ice caves under Vatnajökull Glacier

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Iceland, click here

Summer:

  • Drive the Golden Circle in 24-hour daylight
  • Hike volcanic trails near Þingvellir National Park

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Iceland, click here

3. Abisko, Sweden

Must-See & Do:
Ride the Aurora Sky Station cable car for front-row seats to the Northern Lights.

Go There If You Love:
Star-filled nights, winter adventures, and immersive wilderness experiences.

Winter:

  • Cross-country ski under starry skies
  • Sleep in a wilderness cabin

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Sweden, click here

Summer:

  • Hike the famous Kungsleden Trail
  • Midnight sun photography in Abisko National Park

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Sweden, click here

4. Faroe Islands, Denmark

Must-See & Do:
Hike to the Múlafossur Waterfall, where a river tumbles into the ocean off a sheer cliff.

Go There If You Love:
Raw nature, remote solitude, and windswept coastlines few ever see.

Winter:

  • Cosy up in turf-roofed cottages
  • Explore the dramatic landscapes in moody weather

Find out more about Summer Holidays in the Faroe Islands in Denmark, click here

Summer:

  • Hike high cliffs with seabird colonies
  • Sail between hidden fjords

Find out more about Winter Holidays in the Faroe Islands in Denmark, click here

5. Tromsø, Norway

Must-See & Do:
Join a whale-watching safari under the glow of the aurora.

Go There If You Love:
Arctic wildlife encounters, midnight sun festivals, and Nordic hospitality.

Winter:

  • Dog sledding through snowy wilderness
  • Reindeer sleigh rides and Sami culture visits

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Tromsø, Norway, click here

Summer:

  • Kayak under the midnight sun
  • Hike to panoramic viewpoints

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Tromsø, Norway, click here

6. Rovaniemi, Finland

Must-See & Do:
Stay in a glass igloo and watch the sky dance above your bed.

Go There If You Love:
Winter wonderlands, reindeer safaris, and the magic of Lapland.

Winter:

  • Visit Santa Claus Village
  • Snowmobile across frozen lakes

Find out more about Santa Claus Holidays in Finland, click here

Summer:

  • Explore endless forests on hiking trails
  • Canoe quiet rivers under long daylight

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Finland, click here

7. Helsinki, Finland

Must-See & Do:
Explore Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Go There If You Love:
Effortless Scandinavian design, laid-back city life, and Baltic archipelagos.

Winter:

  • Experience a Finnish sauna followed by a dip in an ice hole
  • Enjoy cosy cafés and museums

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Helsinki, click here

Summer:

  • Take a ferry to archipelago islands
  • Cycle seaside promenades

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Helsinki, click here

8. Svalbard, Norway

Must-See & Do:
Cruise past Monacobreen Glacier and watch towering icebergs calve into the sea.

Go There If You Love:
True frontiers, polar expeditions, and raw Arctic wilderness.

Winter:

  • Snowmobile to remote glaciers
  • Watch the northern lights over frozen tundra

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Svalbard, click here

Summer:

  • Midnight sun boat safaris
  • Hike among Arctic foxes and reindeer

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Svalbard, click here

9. Åland Islands, Finland

Must-See & Do:
Cycle the Kastelholm Castle Route, combining history with island scenery.

Go There If You Love:
Quiet escapes, biking adventures, and gentle coastal landscapes.

Winter:

  • Cross-country ski along coastal trails
  • Discover maritime museums

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Finland, click here

Summer:

  • Sail between islands
  • Relax on secluded beaches

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Finland, click here

10. Gothenburg, Sweden

Must-See & Do:
Island-hop the Southern Archipelago for car-free villages and hidden coves.

Go There If You Love:
Scandinavian food, cultural festivals, and easy access to wild nature.

Winter:

  • Visit the Liseberg Christmas Market
  • Enjoy cosy seafood restaurants

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Gothenburg, click here

Summer:

  • Kayak between islands
  • Attend midsummer festivals

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Gothenburg, click here

11. Ilulissat, Greenland

Must-See & Do:
Sail among giant icebergs in Disko Bay at golden hour.

Go There If You Love:
Otherworldly scenery, glacier hiking, and once-in-a-lifetime photography.

Winter:

  • Dog sledding over sea ice
  • Ice fishing with locals

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Greenland, click here

Summer:

  • Hike to the Ilulissat Icefjord viewpoint
  • Midnight sun boat trips among icebergs

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Greenland, click here

12. Bergen, Norway

Must-See & Do:
Ride the Fløibanen Funicular for sweeping city and fjord views.

Go There If You Love:
Colorful harbor towns, seafood markets, and fjord adventures.

Winter:

  • Wander Bryggen’s historic alleys dusted with snow
  • Warm up in cafés with cinnamon buns

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Bergen, click here

Summer:

  • Cruise the Sognefjord
  • Hike Mount Ulriken

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Bergen, click here

13. Lapland Wilderness, Finland

Must-See & Do:
Go on a reindeer sled safari deep into snow-laden forests.

Go There If You Love:
Off-grid experiences, Sámi culture, and the pure silence of winter.

Winter:

  • Northern Lights expeditions
  • Snowshoeing through Arctic landscapes

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Finnish Lapland, click here

Summer:

  • Canoe quiet lakes
  • Forage for berries and mushrooms

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Finnish Lapland, click here

14. Aarhus, Denmark

Must-See & Do:
Explore the ARoS Art Museum, famous for its rainbow panorama rooftop.

Go There If You Love:
Art, architecture, and Scandinavian creativity.

Winter:

  • Discover world-class museums
  • Cosy up in stylish cafés

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Aarhus, Denmark, click here

Summer:

  • Picnic in botanical gardens
  • Explore beaches and coastal trails

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Aarhus, Denmark, click here

15. North Iceland

Must-See & Do:
Relax in the Geosea Sea Baths, geothermal pools perched above the Arctic Ocean.

Go There If You Love:
Geothermal wonders, whale watching, and quiet coastal villages.

Winter:

  • Hunt the Northern Lights over volcanic plains
  • Warm up in natural hot springs

Find out more about Winter Holidays in North Iceland, click here

Summer:

  • Whale watching in Husavik
  • Hike volcanic landscapes

Find out more about Summer Holidays in North Iceland, click here

16. Kiruna, Sweden

Must-See & Do:
Sleep in a suite at the ICEHOTEL, rebuilt every winter in glistening ice.

Go There If You Love:
Snow artistry, dog sledding, and unique Arctic lodging.

Winter:

  • Sculpt your own ice art
  • Snowmobile safaris

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Kiruna, Sweden, click here

Summer:

  • Hike under the midnight sun
  • Visit the nearby Esrange Space Centre

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Kiruna, Sweden, click here

17. Bornholm, Denmark

Must-See & Do:
Visit the Hammershus Castle Ruins, Europe’s largest medieval fortress.

Go There If You Love:
Cycling, artisan food, and slow island living.

Winter:

  • Explore charming villages and pottery studios
  • Sample smoked fish specialties

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Bornholm, Denmark, click here

Summer:

  • Cycle coastal trails
  • Relax on white sand beaches

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Bornholm, Denmark, click here

18. The High Coast, Sweden

Must-See & Do:
Hike the Skuleberget trail, with panoramic views over ancient granite cliffs.

Go There If You Love:
Uncrowded trails, geological wonders, and cosy lodges.

Winter:

  • Snowshoe along frozen coastlines
  • Stargaze in crisp Arctic air

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Sweden, click here

Summer:

  • Multi-day hikes along the High Coast Trail
  • Kayak through sheltered bays

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Sweden, click here

19. Senja, Norway

Must-See & Do:
Drive the National Tourist Route, one of Europe’s most scenic roads.

Go There If You Love:
Secluded beaches, wild fjords, and epic road trips.

Winter:

  • Chase the aurora on remote beaches
  • Ice-climb frozen waterfalls

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Norway, click here

Summer:

  • Hike to Segla Peak
  • Camp under the midnight sun

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Norway, click here

20. Jotunheimen National Park, Norway

Must-See & Do:
Trek the Besseggen Ridge, a classic route between emerald lakes.

Go There If You Love:
High-altitude hiking, glacier walks, and untamed mountain scenery.

Winter:

  • Backcountry skiing in untouched terrain
  • Ice climbing courses

Find out more about Winter Holidays in Norway, click here

Summer:

  • Multi-day treks to Norway’s highest peaks
  • Glacier hiking tours

Find out more about Summer Holidays in Norway, click here

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