When it comes to Nordic travel, visitors are spoilt for choice. While we are of course most familiar with the wonders of Iceland, the beauty and splendor across Scandinavia and the wider Nordic region is undeniable. From the untamed wilderness of Greenland to the world-renowned design of Denmark, the scenic routes of Norway and the island atmosphere of the Faroe Islands, there is a majesty to the region that is enticing, enchanting, and inviting all at once.
At Hidden Iceland, we’ve spent more than a decade designing and leading luxury private tours across Iceland. During that time, we’ve also built trusted relationships with carefully selected luxury travel specialists throughout the wider Nordic region, giving us first-hand insight into what makes each destination exceptional.
So which is the best Nordic country to visit for you? Keep reading to find out.
Norway
The Best Nordic Country For Scenic Road Trips
If your perfect holiday is about the journey as much as the destination, Norway is difficult to beat. The country’s 18 National Tourist Routes transform ordinary drives into unforgettable experiences, winding through dramatic mountain passes, cascading waterfalls and UNESCO-listed fjords.
One of the finest examples is the spectacular Geiranger–Trollstigen route, a 104-kilometre drive climbing from sea level into the mountains through hairpin bends, ferry crossings and some of Scandinavia’s most iconic scenery.
Another favourite is the route surrounding Nærøyfjord, where every turn reveals another glacier-carved valley or mirror-like fjord.
As specialists in Iceland’s own self-drive adventures (April to October), we understand the appeal of discovering a country at your own pace, with our most sold trip being the ring road, which can be completed comfortably in 11 – 14 days. Norway delivers that same sense of freedom, where every hour behind the wheel reveals another remarkable landscape. Norway is particularly suited for longer self drives when you have 3+ weeks to explore.
Sweden
The Best Nordic Country For Arctic Trails & Modern Dining
Sweden holds many of the most famous Arctic trails in the world, and few are more famous than Kungsleden, the King’s Trail. Taking you through mountain valleys, birch forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Laponia, this is an adventure of scale and variety.
Beyond its natural beauty, Sweden has become a global leader in New Nordic cuisine. The journey of the food, from foraging to meticulous preparation is why the country has one of Europe’s most essential and exciting food scenes. Its Michelin-starred restaurants, new Nordic kitchens and deeply rooted foraging culture have made Sweden one of Europe’s most exciting modern dining destinations.
For travellers wanting to balance outdoor adventure with exceptional dining, Sweden offers one of the most rewarding combinations in Northern Europe.
Finland
The Best Nordic Country For Lakes, Forests, and Saunas
Nearly three quarters of Finland is covered by forest, making it one of Europe’s most peaceful destinations for travellers seeking nature.
The country is home to over 180,000 lakes, creating endless opportunities for kayaking, lakeside cabins and the Finnish tradition of sauna.
Lake Saimaa, Finland’s largest lake, perfectly captures this way of life, where islands, forests and waterside saunas blend into everyday culture.
No visit would be complete without experiencing a traditional Finnish sauna. Whether overlooking a remote lake or enjoying the award-winning architecture of Löyly Helsinki, saunas are far more than relaxation, they’re an essential part of Finnish identity.
Denmark
The Best Nordic Country For Dramatic Coastlines and Architectural Design
Denmark’s coastline is an inherent part of Danish life. A country of islands, peninsulas, harbours and small ferry-linked communities, its coast is long and winding, never far from everyday life. Rolling dunes, harbour baths and open-air swimming pools are woven into the landscape, making the shoreline open, accessible and deeply connected to the country’s culture.
Denmark is equally renowned for its design, a legacy recognised when UNESCO declared Copenhagen the World Capital of Architecture in 2023. Defined by clean lines, thoughtful simplicity and spaces designed to be lived in, Danish architecture shapes everything from waterfront promenades to neighbourhood swimming facilities. Together, they create a destination where design and nature come together in ways visitors can experience firsthand.
Greenland
The Best Nordic Destination For Silent Wilderness
There are no roads or railways connecting Greenland’s towns and settlements. Instead, travel happens by boat, plane, dog sled or snowmobile, crossing a landscape of towering glaciers, deep fjords, drifting icebergs and vast stretches of coastline where signs of human life are few and far between.
It’s also home to Northeast Greenland National Park,the largest national park in the world. Covering an area roughly the size of Egypt, it’s so vast that, if it were a country, it would rank as the world’s 31st largest. Few places offer such an overwhelming sense of scale and solitude, making Greenland an extraordinary destination for travellers seeking true wilderness, adventure and the rare chance to disconnect from the modern world.
Yet Greenland isn’t defined by wilderness alone. Its small coastal towns offer a warm welcome, giving visitors the chance to experience Arctic culture, meet local communities and explore one of the world’s last great wildernesses from a distinctly human perspective.
Faroe Islands
The Best Nordic Destination For Slow Travel & Unique Nordic Atmosphere
What immediately strikes you when you visit the Faroe Islands is the lack of trees. The isolation is emphasised, the horizons endless, the low cloud all-encompassing. The Faroes are not known for sunshine. It is a place renowned for the changing climate, for the sudden bursts of rain and the blankets of mist.
From turf-roofed villages to sea stacks rising from the dark Atlantic, the Faroe Islands are a place of quiet, rugged beauty. The shifting light and dramatic landscapes create an atmosphere that feels both otherworldly and deeply rooted in nature. Travellers who embrace the unpredictable weather are rewarded with spectacular hiking, unforgettable scenery and a destination unlike anywhere else in the Nordic region.
Iceland
Best for the Nordic Destination That Has It All
While we may be slightly biased, if you’re looking for one destination that showcases everything people love about Nordic travel, Iceland cannot be beat.
After exploring and guiding travellers across Iceland for more than a decade, we’ve found that nowhere else offers such remarkable variety within such a compact country.
In a single journey, you can explore blue ice caves beneath Europe’s largest glacier, soak in world-famous geothermal lagoons, walk along black sand beaches, stand beside powerful waterfalls and dine in Michelin-starred restaurants, all without spending weeks travelling between destinations.
It’s this rare combination of raw natural forces, accessible adventure and world-class hospitality that makes Iceland not just different from its Nordic neighbours, but the most complete Nordic destination for travellers who want it all in one trip.
“At Hidden Iceland, we refuse to water down our specialism, which is of course, Iceland. With all our guides, operations team and travel planners, living and working in Iceland full-time, we understand the importance of local knowledge and physical on the ground support. So when we are asked to plan a trip across multiple countries in the Nordics, instead of trying to expand into other territories, we’ve created strong and trusted partnerships with other local provides who share the same ethos that we do – personalisation and authenticity. So when happy guests ask us to help plan their next trip outside of Iceland, we make direct introductions to other trusted locals in those regions instead.”
- Ryan Connolly, Marketing Director, Hidden Iceland
At Hidden Iceland our local team has guided travellers through every season, from summer road trips beneath the Midnight Sun to winter adventures chasing the Northern Lights, giving us an in-depth understanding of what makes an unforgettable Nordic escape.
We’ve spent years discovering not only Iceland’s famous highlights but also the hidden gems that many visitors never see. Our team of expert private tour guides, who lead journeys designed around each traveller, balancing iconic sights like Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon with secret valleys, lesser-known waterfalls and authentic local experiences. Pairing your personal preferences for your trip with cultural knowledge and local insight, Hidden Iceland lets you experience the country in a way you never imagined possible.
Whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family or group, Iceland offers one of the richest and most varied luxury travel experiences anywhere in the Nordic region.
While Iceland is our speciality, our knowledge of the wider Nordic region comes from working alongside trusted luxury travel experts throughout Scandinavia and the North Atlantic. We’ve carefully built partnerships with leading luxury tour operators in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, allowing us to recommend experiences we genuinely believe in.
So whether you’ve decided Iceland is the perfect fit or you’re considering another Nordic destination, we are here to help.
Our team can help arrange tailor-made luxury journeys across the Nordic countries, combining our Iceland expertise with our trusted network of local partners to create your ideal itinerary.
If you’d like to start planning your perfect Nordic adventure, get in touch with the Hidden Iceland team.