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Copenhagen, Denmark
Fly in from London Stansted or Gatwick — cheap routes run with Ryanair and easyJet. Explore Nyhavn harbour, cycle the city like a local, and eat a smørrebrød open sandwich in Torvehallerne market. Take the Øresund Bridge train (35 min) into Sweden when ready to move on.
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Malmö, Sweden
A quick stopover city worth an afternoon — walk the Turning Torso waterfront and grab falafel in Möllevångstorget square, a legendary cheap-eat spot. Catch an overnight train or bus north toward Stockholm to save on accommodation costs.
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Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden's stunning capital spread across 14 islands — explore Gamla Stan old town, the Vasa Museum, and the hip Södermalm neighbourhood. Hitchhiking is reasonably popular in Sweden; head to motorway on-ramps with a sign for your next destination. Take a night train or long-distance bus up toward the Norwegian border.
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Oslo, Norway
Norway's capital sits at the head of the Oslofjord — visit the Viking Ship Museum and walk the Aker Brygge waterfront. Budget tip: Oslo is expensive so use the free Bygdøy beaches and self-cater from Kiwi or Rema 1000 supermarkets. Catch a train or hitch northwest toward Bergen via the dramatic Hardangerfjord region.
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Bergen, Norway
Gateway to Norway's fjords — ride the Fløibanen funicular for panoramic views and hike the famous Trolltunga trail (a 22km full-day hike, wild camp nearby). The Norway in a Nutshell route combines train, bus and ferry through Sognefjord and is one of Europe's most scenic journeys. Head north by bus or hitchhike up the Atlantic Road toward Trondheim.
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Trondheim, Norway
Norway's historic medieval capital with the magnificent Nidaros Cathedral, the world's northernmost Gothic cathedral. The city is a great resupply point before heading into wilder Arctic territory — stock up on camping food. Hitchhiking northward on the E6 highway is genuinely doable here; hold a sign for Bodø or Mo i Rana.
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Bodø, Norway
Just above the Arctic Circle and the perfect launchpad for the Lofoten Islands — take the ferry across (roughly 3.5 hours). Bodø is famous for Saltstraumen, one of the world's strongest tidal currents, great for hiking around. Wild camping is legal throughout Norway under Allemannsretten (the right to roam), so pitch your tent freely in the mountains.
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Lofoten Islands, Norway
One of the most dramatic landscapes on earth — jagged peaks plunge into glassy Arctic fjords with traditional red fishing huts (rorbuer) dotting the coast. Hike Reinebringen above Reine village for jaw-dropping views, wild camp on beaches at Uttakleiv or Haukland, and eat fresh stockfish from local drying racks. Hitchhiking between villages on the E10 road is common and very accepted among backpackers here.
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Tromsø, Norway
The unofficial capital of the Arctic, sitting 350km north of the Arctic Circle — hike Storsteinen mountain via cable car for Arctic panoramas and explore the striking Arctic Cathedral. In summer you get the midnight sun here, making all-night hiking totally viable. Fly or take the Hurtigruten coastal ferry onward into Finland.
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Rovaniemi, Finland
The official hometown of Santa Claus sits exactly on the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland — cross the Arctic Circle line at the Santa Claus Village as a novelty. More importantly, it's the base for serious wilderness: hire a canoe or hike the Ounasvaara fell trails and wild camp in the surrounding pine forests. Travel south by bus or hitchhike down the E75 toward Helsinki.
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Helsinki, Finland
Finland's design-forward capital on the Baltic Sea — visit the Senate Square, the rock-cut Temppeliaukio Church, and take a traditional Finnish sauna (try Löyly on the waterfront). The Market Square by the harbour is perfect for trying salted salmon, Karelian pies and cloudberry jam. Take a ferry to Tallinn for a day trip, or fly directly back to London from Helsinki Airport with Finnair or Norwegian.