A 7-Day Road Trip in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark (October 2019)
Northern Europe generally refers to five countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. Except for Finland, we visited four of them on a self-drive tour.
I wrote a separate travelogue for Iceland, please browse:
Vibrant, Stunning, Magnificent Iceland! – 9-Day Ring Road Trip in Iceland during the 2019 National Day Holiday:
https://you.ctrip.com/travels/reykjavik1044/3977600.html
This article introduces our 7-day road trip in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Vehicle: Audi Q5:
Norway is a highly developed country. The petroleum industry is a major pillar of its economy, along with traditional industries such as fisheries, papermaking, shipbuilding, chemicals, and wood processing. Since 2001, Norway has been ranked by the United Nations as the best country to live in for six consecutive years, and from 2009 to 2018, it held the top spot in the Human Development Index.
Norway's livability is well-deserved. Its mountains, fjords, rivers, lakes, and exquisite villages are arranged in a picturesque, colorful manner, resembling oil paintings.
1. Villages and Towns
Norway's countryside is infectious, with undulating terrain, rich layers, and vibrant colors, exuding refinement and offering endless enjoyment for self-drive tours.
Exuding the charm of oil paintings:
The countryside of Odda:
Interesting grass roofs:
To this day, I still don't understand whether these grass roofs grow naturally or are man-made?
The farm we stayed at in Stavanger:
At a Norwegian farm B&B, we improvised a piano piece. What a great mood!
Another village house, a B&B in Odda:
2. Plateau Scenery
Odda Ski Resort:
Along the ski resort:
The Hardangervidda Road:
The Hardangervidda Road is not far from the Hardanger Highway. Its western starting point is Eidfjord, about 30 km from Granvin and Kinsarvik on the Hardanger Highway, forming a triangle. The Hardangervidda plateau road extends westward from Eidfjord along Rv.7 to Haugastøl, approximately 67 km long.
This route lies within Norway's largest national park, Hardangervidda, which is Europe's largest wild reindeer habitat. Near Eidfjord, on the western side of the route, the rugged mountain road through Måbødalen leads to the Vøringsfossen waterfall (about 17 km from Eidfjord).
3. Fjord Scenery
Norway is a famous fjord country. Fjords are Norway's most representative landscape, even geologists call Norway the 'Fjord Country.' Only after experiencing the endless winding fjords along Norway's west coast and the fjord scenery formed by countless glacial remnants can one feel the most breathtaking charm of this magical land.
The formation of fjords dates back to the Ice Age. Due to glacial erosion, many U-shaped and V-shaped valleys formed between steep mountains and cliffs. When seawater flowed into these bays, the stunning scenery we see today was created.
Among Norway's fjords, the most famous and distinctive are the four major fjords:
1) Sognefjord
2) Hardangerfjord
3) Geirangerfjord
4) Lysefjord
Due to limited time, we only visited Lysefjord.
Lysefjord is located in southern Norway, 42 km long. The entrance to Lysefjord is Stavanger on Norway's west coast, an ideal starting point for sightseeing tours of Lysefjord. From here, you can also take a sightseeing boat.
Lysefjord can be done in one day or split over multiple days. A one-day itinerary starts at 7:30 AM from Stavanger's Fiskepiren, taking a bus first, then a boat to tour the fjord, followed by a different bus route back to Stavanger, returning around 4:00 PM. We took the boat one way.
Our car waiting to board the ferry at the dock:
We bought tickets online the day before, needing to enter the license plate, car model, brand, color, and number of passengers.
When boarding, we found it extremely simple – nothing was checked, no ticket verification, no conversation, we didn't even get out of the car or open the window. We just drove on.
I understand that the purpose of filling in the information is that they can visually confirm the car details. Efficient and human-centered.
Villages on both sides:
The river winding between abrupt cliffs and towering mountains:
Strange mountains and rocks on both sides:
On both sides, huge rocks stand tall, among which the 600-meter-high cliff Preikestolen, also known as Pulpit Rock, juts out over the sea, leaving people in awe – a must-see spot. Standing on the giant rock, you feel as if floating in the air, strongly sensing the vigorous vitality of nature.
Due to leg issues, we gave up climbing and could only pass beneath by boat, looking up:
Strange mountains and rocks:
4. Norway's Three Famous Rocks
Norway's three famous rocks: Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Kjeragbolten, and Trolltunga.
These magical rocks, naturally formed on high cliffs, attract countless people each year to challenge themselves. Although standing on them makes your legs tremble and heart race, the scenery before you is incredibly stunning, and you'll feel proud of your successful challenge!
Preikestolen is located in southern Norway, near the middle of Lysefjord in Stavanger. It is a naturally formed giant rock, abruptly standing in the deep mountains of the fjord, with a vertical drop of 604 meters and a top platform of about 625 square meters. Looking up from below, it appears almost perpendicular to the sea, breathtaking! From a distance, it is very spectacular. And up close, standing on the Preikestolen platform, overlooking Lysefjord in the valley, you can fully appreciate the grandeur of 'seeing all the smaller mountains at a glance'!
Preikestolen is known as 'a symbol of the brave, a forbidden place for those with acrophobia!'
Since we didn't climb it, we shared some photos taken from below earlier. Here are a few network images:
Norway's 'Kjeragbolten' is one of the most famous tourist attractions. This 5-cubic-meter rock is wedged between cliffs, located on the top of Mount Kjerag in Norway, about 1,000 meters above the valley floor. It is part of Lysefjord, one of Norway's four major fjords.
Kjeragbolten is also a 'stone of the brave.' If you dare to climb onto it, you can have a panoramic view of the valley below. But for timid travelers, it's necessary to remind them 'don't look down,' as carelessness could lead to injury or death.
Although we went to Lysefjord, we gave up on this attraction due to the difficulty of climbing. Here are a few network images:
3) Trolltunga
Trolltunga is a massive rock jutting out horizontally more than 1,000 meters above the sea level, known as the Pulpit Rock of Hardanger, with immense grandeur. It is one of Norway's most popular tourist attractions.
This unique rock was formed during the Ice Age, located on the cliff of Hardangerfjord, north of Lake Ringedalsvatnet. It was created by glacial erosion, causing the mountain to break.
As is well known, Norway uses the troll as a symbol. This flat, elongated rock projecting from the cliff face resembles a troll's tongue sticking out over the lake's high altitude, giving people a fright just looking at it, hence the name.
Adventurous tourists sit on the tip of the tongue to take photos, with the fjord below.
Due to physical limitations, we had planned to give up on summiting but intended to drive along the fjord to the nearest point below the rock and then use a drone to film. However, when we got close to the filming spot, the road was closed, and we missed the chance to see it.
Here are a few network images:
Sverd i fjell – Stavanger landmark:
Legend has it that Norway's unification began with a romantic story: Gyda, daughter of King of Hordaland, refused Harald's proposal, saying unless he became 'King of all Norway.' Harald swore not to cut or comb his hair until he did, and thus 'Harald Fairhair' became a name that terrified his enemies.
The King of Hordaland, as Harald's final opponent in unifying Norway, died with his sons in the Battle of Hafrsfjord. Gyda had to marry the man who killed her father and brothers, becoming his ninth wife, and was later abandoned when her husband married a more noble Danish princess.
In 1983, King Olav unveiled 'Sverd i fjell' designed by sculptor Fritz Røed. This monument to the Battle of Hafrsfjord consists of three giant Viking swords over ten meters high, representing peace, unity, and freedom. Swords from ancient finds across the country were melted into these swords – a case of 'forging swords into swords'.
Heddal Stave Church:
One of Norway's 28 stave churches, built in the 13th century, located 37 km west of Kongsberg, on the E134 road, which is the main route from Oslo to Lysefjord. It makes a great rest stop.
Sweden is the most industrially diversified and developed country among the Nordic five. It has its own aviation industry, nuclear industry, automobile manufacturing, advanced military industry, and leading telecommunications and pharmaceutical research capabilities. By population proportion, Sweden has the most multinational corporations in the world.
1. Sigtuna Town
Sigtuna, a lakeside town on Lake Mälaren, Sweden's largest lake, is about an hour's drive from Stockholm, the capital, and 15 minutes from Arlanda Airport. This is Sweden's first city and earliest capital, a picturesque medieval town.
The town was founded around 980 AD by King Erik Segersäll. Between 995 and 1030, the earliest Swedish coins were minted here. The town features an 18th-century town hall and streets, beautiful lakeside scenery, and medieval ruins.
2. Drottningholm Palace (Queen's Island Palace)
This palace has been the private residence of the Swedish royal family since 1981, located in Ekerö Municipality on Lake Mälaren, Drottningholm (Queen's Island).
The building was first constructed in the late 16th century and rebuilt after a fire in 1661.
Currently, aside from private royal use, some rooms and collections are open to the public.
Drottningholm Palace is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This 17th-century castle is not only the best-preserved royal palace today but also one of the most representative palace buildings in Europe. With its exotic Chinese Pavilion, Court Theatre, and magnificent palace gardens, it creates an unparalleled overall impression.
3. Stockholm City Hall
Stockholm City Hall is located on the island of Kungsholmen, where the historic Eldkvarn mill once stood. It is now the seat of the Stockholm City Council. The building was designed by architect Ragnar Östberg and built between 1911 and 1923.
4. Parliament House, Royal Palace
Riddarholmen is a small island in central Stockholm, Sweden. It is part of Gamla Stan, Stockholm's old town, and features many private palaces from the 17th century. The main landmark is the Riddarholmen Church, the royal burial church, where many Swedish monarchs have been interred since the 16th century.
6. Stockholm Old Town (Gamla Stan)
The old town dates back to the 13th century, with medieval alleys, cobblestone streets, and old buildings strongly influenced by North German style. Since Sweden has been at peace for 200 years, the old town is well preserved and well worth a leisurely stroll, especially along the streets by the river and sea. Major attractions include the Royal Palace, Stockholm Cathedral, and the Nobel Museum.
7. Stockholm Street Views
8. Malmö Castle
Malmö Castle was restored in the early 16th century by Danish King Christian III and built in the Dutch Renaissance style. For the first two hundred years, it mainly served as a royal residence, flourishing in the 16th century with frequent visits by nobles. After 1658, when Malmö became Swedish, it was used by the Swedish crown as a military fortress.
Today, Malmö Castle houses four museums: Malmö City Museum, Malmö Art Museum, Malmö Museum of Technology, and Malmö Museum of Natural History.
Windmill near the castle:
9. St. Peter's Church, Malmö
This 14th-century Gothic church is the oldest preserved building in the city. At that time, Malmö was under the control of the Hanseatic League, so the church's design was based on St. Mary's Church in Lübeck, Germany. The interior is decorated with magnificent frescoes, has an 88-meter spire, and includes a chapel built for medieval merchants. The spire of St. Peter's Church, built in the 14th century, is 105 meters high. Locals love to hold weddings here. The style is Baltic Gothic. The oldest and most distinctive part is the northern chapel, whose medieval ceiling frescoes date from the 15th century and were rediscovered during restoration in the early 20th century, as the Lutheran Reformation in the 16th century rejected such ornate decorations. The church's 15-meter-high altarpiece is the largest wooden altarpiece in Northern Europe, completed in 1611 after four years of meticulous work.
Denmark is a major exporter of food and energy, with well-developed agriculture, fisheries, and food processing industries. It is known as the European cheese market. Its fishing industry ranks 15th in the world and second in Europe. In addition, its service sector is highly developed, including commerce, telecommunications, finance, insurance, and technical services. Tourism is an important industry in Denmark's service sector.
We mainly visited the capital, Copenhagen.
Copenhagen, the capital of the Kingdom of Denmark, is its largest city and port, as well as the largest city in Scandinavia. It is also Denmark's political, economic, cultural, and transportation center, a world-renowned international metropolis.
Copenhagen was once selected by UN-Habitat as the 'most livable city in the world' and given the title of 'best design city.'
Copenhagen is also one of the happiest cities in the world.
Copenhagen has a clean and beautiful appearance, with large modern industrial enterprises and medieval ancient buildings complementing each other, making it both a modern metropolis and a city with antique charm, a world-famous historical and cultural city. Denmark's symbol, the Little Mermaid statue, sits quietly by the sea, contemplating. Fairy-tale castles and palaces stand side by side in this city, blending antiquity and wonder, art and modernity.
1. Hamlet's Castle (Kronborg)
Kronborg Castle is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Northern Europe, built between 1574 and 1585. It is said that Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' was written based on the geographical location and history of Kronborg, so the castle is also known as 'Hamlet's Castle.'
Every summer, performances of 'Hamlet' are staged here. Apart from the aura bestowed by Shakespeare, Kronborg itself is an impressive building with grand architecture and beautiful surroundings.
Kronborg Castle is located north of Copenhagen and once served as a Danish defense structure. Now it is a museum housing ancient furniture, decorations, and other items.
In front of Hamlet's Castle, taking a group photo with a group of lively students:
2. Amalienborg Palace
Amalienborg Palace was built in the mid-18th century, located in eastern Copenhagen, not far from the Little Mermaid. It is the main residence of the Danish royal family. The palace is situated around an octagonal square, consisting of four identical palaces. The four palaces changed owners several times before being occupied by the royal family in the late 18th century.
Now, whenever the Queen is in residence, the Danish flag is flown on the building. Tourists can visit two of the palaces: one is now a museum of the royal family, and the other is where the Queen receives foreign guests. Additionally, visitors can take photos with the Royal Guards on duty, as they are also a character in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. However, keep a safe distance; if you get too close, you'll be warned by the guards. During the changing of the guard, you can see a small honor guard. Adventurous tourists can march in step with the guards from a distance of one meter, but the danger is that many cameras will be pointed at you for photos.
3. Christiansborg Palace
Built in 1167 by Archbishop Absalon, it once served as a royal palace. It was destroyed by fire in the late 18th century and subsequently rebuilt and renovated several times. The current palace is a Baroque-style building completed in 1928. Part of it serves as the Danish Royal Reception Rooms, and it also houses a museum open to the public, with excavations from the early 12th-century fortress and the earliest parts of the city.
4. Copenhagen City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen)
Copenhagen City Hall Square is an ancient square with an 800-year history, located between the pedestrian street Strøget and Tivoli Gardens in central Copenhagen. It is the hub of Denmark's transportation network. At the square, there is a kilometer zero marker, indicating that all distances from Copenhagen are measured from here.
To the left of the main entrance of the City Hall stands a statue of Denmark's great fairy tale writer, Hans Christian Andersen. Visiting tourists always shake hands with and take photos with the fairy tale master to absorb some of his aura.
Many major events in Denmark are held at City Hall Square. In May 1945, 100,000 people gathered here to celebrate Denmark's liberation from German occupation. In the summer of 1992, when the Danish national football team won the European Championship, another 100,000 people celebrated here.
In the evening, many vendors set up stalls in the square to sell goods to tourists, most of whom come from South American countries like Ecuador and Peru.
The centerpiece of the square is the City Hall, built in 1905, designed by architect Martin Nyrop. Its architecture combines ancient Danish and Italian Renaissance styles. The magnificent City Hall hall covers an area of 1,500 square meters and is mainly used for wedding ceremonies and official receptions. Above the main entrance, a gilded statue depicts the founder of Copenhagen, Archbishop Absalon:
Sculptures on the square:
5. The Little Mermaid Statue
Based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale 'The Little Mermaid,' this statue has become almost a symbol of Denmark, especially after the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Moreover, 2013 marked the 100th anniversary of the statue's creation, making this attraction a must-see. The bronze statue is about 1.5 meters high, with a base diameter of about 1.8 meters. It was cast by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen based on Andersen's fairy tale. Eriksen used his wife as the model for the mermaid statue.
6. Nyhavn (New Harbor)
Nyhavn is an artificial canal built between 1669 and 1673, bringing seawater directly into Kongens Nytorv (King's New Square). The main purpose of building the Nyhavn canal was to bring flourishing maritime traffic into the city center, thereby promoting Copenhagen's economic development. People can still see the earliest houses built along the canal. The side that gets sunlight has become a pedestrian street. Therefore, Nyhavn is also a landmark tourist attraction in Copenhagen. Although it is not large, Nyhavn is stunning in summer – with shimmering water, various boats, and colorful houses on both sides. Both inside and outside restaurants, it's always crowded. Even if the food isn't always to your taste, it's a great place to rest on a sunny day. The great fairy tale father, Hans Christian Andersen, loved the buildings here very much. He once lived at numbers 18, 20, and 67.
The Nyhavn canal is lined with unique restaurants, full of charm:
7. Gefion Fountain
The Gefion Fountain is located northeast of central Copenhagen. It consists of a bronze sculpture group of the goddess Gefion and four oxen pulling a plow. According to records, the fountain was cast by Danish sculptor Anders Bungaard. Originally, it was intended to be placed at Copenhagen City Hall Square, but since there was already a bronze dragon sculpture there, the location was changed to its current site at Langelinie Park. The entire bronze sculpture took about ten years to complete and was unveiled in 1908.
Gefion is a goddess in Norse mythology. According to legend, the ancient Swedish king Gylfe promised the goddess Gefion that she could take as much land from Sweden as she could plow in one day and one night. So Gefion turned her four sons into oxen and plowed a large piece of land from Sweden, moving it out to sea. Thus, Sweden's land left behind Lake Vänern, and the land she plowed out became the island of Zealand, where Copenhagen is located. In mythology, the goddess Gefion never married, but she gave birth to four sons with a strong god.
Next to the fountain stands a beautiful church – St. Alban's Church:
St. Alban's Church is an Anglican church built between 1885 and 1887. It is the only English church in Denmark.
8. Kongens Nytorv (King's New Square)
If you want to go to Copenhagen's famous pedestrian street Strøget, you can start from Kongens Nytorv. The square contains several former residences of Hans Christian Andersen. He once lived at No. 6, Vingårdsstræde, and later rented several rooms for a long time at the 'Northern Hotel' on the same street. Later, Andersen rented two rooms with a photographer at No. 17, where he created many of his beloved fairy tales. The square is home to the Baroque-style Royal Theatre, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and other famous buildings. The Royal Theatre was built around 1870, where the famous Royal Danish Ballet performs. The building of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts was originally Charlottenborg Palace, where Queen Consort of Christian V once lived. Additionally, there is a Parisian-style building in the square, a department store with a history of over 100 years, the famous Magasin du Nord.
The Royal Danish Theatre:
9. Holmens Kirke (Church of Holmen)
Holmens Kirke faces Christiansborg and the Old Stock Exchange across the canal. It was originally built in 1563 as the residence of Frederick II, but was converted into a navy church by Christian IV in 1619. In 1967, the current Danish Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik were married here. The church is cruciform in shape, with reddish-brown brick walls and a prominent green spire.
The Old Stock Exchange:
10. University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen, located in the Danish capital, is the oldest and one of the largest universities in Denmark. It has about 40,000 students, more than half of whom are women. Additionally, there are over 10,000 staff members. The university's campuses are scattered throughout the city and surrounding areas, with the oldest parts located in the historic city center.
The University of Copenhagen is the second oldest university in Scandinavia. Along with Aarhus University in Jutland, it is a Danish educational and research institution with international reputation.
The University of Copenhagen nurtured the world-famous fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen and the pioneer of existentialist philosophy, Søren Kierkegaard.
It produced the first person to discover a supernova and the first astronomer to measure the speed of light.
There are pioneers of electromagnetic theory and founders of quantum theory. It scientifically explained the structure of the human brain and the texture of muscles, and found the oldest evidence of Earth and life.
11. Nytorv (New Square)
Located in the city center, it integrates shopping, dining, entertainment, and leisure.
Next to Nytorv is a famous shopping street 'Strøget.' In a shop, 'taking a photo' with Hans Christian Andersen:
Copenhagen Court:
12. Caritas Well (Caritas Spring)
The Caritas Fountain is the most beautiful fountain in Copenhagen, built in 1608.
These attractions are densely connected and best explored on foot.
Northern Europe is worth a visit.
