welcome to Scandinavia

Since we’ve taken so much inspiration from this small part of northern Europe, it seems only right to find out exactly what we mean when we describe something as ‘Scandinavian’. From stunning landscapes to quirky traditions, this collection of countries has a lot going for it.

where exactly is Scandinavia?

You probably have an idea of roughly what constitutes Scandinavia, but the answer is actually a bit more complex than you might think. Geographically, it’s widely determined that Scandinavia is made up of three countries: Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The terms ‘Scandinavian’ and ‘Nordic’ are often used interchangeably, but the Nordic region actually refers to a wider group of countries, provinces and territories including Finland and Iceland. One way of thinking about it is through language: Norwegian, Danish and Swedish are all Scandinavian languages, while Finnish comes from the same group of languages as Estonian and Hungarian. That said, Swedish is also an official language of Finland.

what’s it like in Scandinavia?

When you think of Scandinavia, you might picture beautiful, rugged landscapes and skies lit up with the northern lights – and you wouldn’t be wrong. After all, the Scandinavian Mountains run through Sweden and Norway (as well as part of Finland), and the countries sit close to the Arctic Circle, making them some of the best places to see the aurora borealis in the world.

However, mountains aren’t all that Scandinavia has to offer. The landscape is incredibly varied across the region, from dramatic, deep-cut fjords and lush forests of pine, birch and spruce, to low-lying towns smattered with buildings in pastel rainbow hues. Sweden is the biggest of the three countries, known for its beautiful lakes, while Denmark, the smallest, is more densely populated and has plenty of farmland. As of February 2020, the three Scandinavian countries have a combined population of less than 22 million people, with more than 10 million of those being in Sweden. Compare that to the likes of Italy, which has 59 million people, the United Kingdom, with 66 million, or Japan, with 125 million, and you can appreciate just how relatively quiet it must be!

what’s the weather like in Scandinavia?

One of the most popular assumptions of Scandinavia is that it’s cold – but in reality, the climate varies depending on how far north or south you are. Temperatures are surprisingly mild for parts of the year, though visiting in winter usually means packing your snow boots and an extra scarf or two. In the summer, Denmark can reach an average of around 17°C (63°F), while Norway reaches between 8 and 16°C (46 and 61°F) in the north and 13 to 22°C (55 and 72°F) in the south; in the winter, average temperatures drop as low as -7°C (19°F). Due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle, some northern parts of Scandinavia have extreme light conditions at the height of seasons, too. In winter, the sun stays down and the resulting ‘polar night’ sees the darkness of nighttime last for days on end, while in summer, the sun stays up even at night – a phenomenon called ‘midnight sun’.

cultural differences

While Norway, Sweden and Denmark share many characteristics, thanks in part to their geographical proximity and also to their shared history, each country has its own distinct traditions and cultural quirks.

Norway

All three Scandinavian countries have a reputation for being outdoorsy, but Norway is perhaps the country that most lives up to this. Its fjords are world famous – deep-cut inlets formed by glaciers from the Ice Age. It has more than 1,600 glaciers, many of which you can climb. And because it’s also the most mountainous

The colourful waterfront of Nyhavn in Copenhagen is the perfect place for a cycle

© istock/nantonov

where to go in Scandinavia

Inspired to plan a trip to Scandinavia? Here are our top five places to visit on your travels

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK Denmark’s capital is a great destination for a city break. It features a national museum, a stunning palace, and the amusement park Tivoli Gardens.

OSLO, NORWAY Norway’s capital is a cultural centre with an opera house, a contemporary art museum and a collection of Viking ships on display at the Vikingskipshuset.

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN Head to one of Stockholm’s museums and galleries, including Skansen – an open-air museum and Nordic zoo home to bears, wolves and moose.

TROMSØ, NORWAY Norway’s ‘gateway to the Arctic’, Tromsø sits 400km (250mi) from the Arctic Circle. Here you can experience the extremes of the north, such as polar nights and midnight suns.

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN Lovers of art and architecture will adore Gothenburg, with its neoclassical style, expansive galleries and stunning waterfront.

of the three countries, it’s the best place to visit if you’re a keen skier – after all, there’s a reason it has more gold medals at the Winter Olympics than any other nation! You’ll also find the famous Trolltunga in Norway – a slice of rock that juts out of the cliff, around 700 metres (nearly 2,300 feet) above Lake Ringedalsvatnet. It has attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists as the ultimate selfie spot. If you love adventure, Norway is definitely the place to go.

Like its neighbouring countries, Norway is a kingdom with a monarchy. Its rich history of rulers means there are stunning historical buildings across the country, including the Akershus Fortress in Oslo. Each May, Norway celebrates Constitution Day, an annual public holiday where people often dress in traditional outfits called bunad, and across the country children and marching bands take part in parades.

Sweden

While Sweden shares a mountain range with Norway, it’s perhaps better known for its numerous islands – more than 267,500 of them – many of which are accessible via ferry. Sweden is also great for hiking, with some of the most spectacular trails in the world covering everything from Arctic wilderness to deep forest. Like Norway, Sweden has a ‘right to roam’ rule, which means you can walk, cycle, ski and camp on most non-private land.

As well as plenty of green space, Sweden has a rich cultural history, including producing one of the most famous musical acts of all time, ABBA – heard of them? It’s also well known for its design credentials – the affordable flatpack furniture brand IKEA revolutionised the way many of us furnish our homes, and embodies many of the country’s traditional design principles, including functionality and, increasingly, sustainability.

Coffee is a big part of Scandinavian culture, but nowhere more so than Sweden, where there’s even a special word for the ritual of taking a break for coffee and something to eat – fika. Of course, your cup of coffee is best paired with the Swedes’ favourite bake, the delicious cinnamon bun!

Denmark

While Denmark is geographically separated from and significantly smaller than the other Scandinavian countries, it’s the source of some of the most famous Scandi-inspired trends, including hygge. The Danes are also often touted as some of the happiest people in the world – and it’s no wonder. Danish towns are famous for their uplifting aesthetic – Copenhagen’s Nyhavn, a waterfront district in the capital, is lined with colourful houses that are as beautiful in real life as they look on Instagram.

Cycling culture is big in Denmark. Copenhagen is even known as the capital of bikes, as it’s one of the most popular and convenient ways to get around in the region. The country is also known as being one of the most socially progressive cultures in the world, including being the first in the world to legally recognise same-sex unions. Its biggest tradition is jul, the Danish equivalent of Christmas, which is celebrated throughout December and ends with juleaften, a big feast on Christmas Eve.

Denmark also has a stake in the world of literature, being the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson, famous for writing fairy tales and stories including The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen and The Ugly Duckling. Folklore in general is a big part of Danish tradition, with tales handed down through generations and filled with the deeds of goblins, elves and other mythical beings.

Scandi savvy

Now we’ve got our heads around these three fascinating cultures, it’s time to dive deeper into all things Scandi – and how the ethos, lifestyle and trends of the region could transform the way we live, for the better.

The three Scandinavian countries share rich heritage and traditions, along with their Nordic neighbours