The Ultimate 10 Days Scandinavia Road Trip Itinerary for 2025

Imagine cruising along winding coastal roads with breathtaking fjord views on your left and majestic mountains on your right – that’s the magic of a Scandinavian road trip! According to recent travel statistics, road trips through Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have seen a 43% increase in popularity among international travelers since 2023.

I’ve personally explored these stunning Nordic countries multiple times, and there’s simply no better way to experience Scandinavia’s diverse landscapes than by car.

Whether you’re chasing the midnight sun in summer or hoping to glimpse the Northern Lights in winter, this 10 days Scandinavian road trip itinerary will help you make the most of your Scandinavian adventure without feeling rushed. Ready to embark on the journey of lifetime? Let’s hit the road!

Planning Your 10-Days Scandinavia Road Trip

Listen up, folks! Planning this trip right can make or break your Scandinavian adventure. We learned this the hard way when we showed up in July without hotel bookings. Big mistake. HUGE.

Before jumping into your Nordic adventure, proper planning is essential for a smooth experience:

• Best time to visit: Summer (June-August) offers long daylight hours and pleasant temperatures, while winter (December-February) gives you opportunities to see the Northern Lights but requires winter driving skills.
• Weather considerations: Pack layers regardless of the season! Even summer evenings can be chilly, and weather changes quickly in mountainous regions.
• Rental car tips:
  • Book at least 3 months in advance for the best rates
  • Consider a 4WD vehicle if traveling in winter
  • Ensure your license is valid for all three countries
  • Automatic transmissions often cost more than manual
  • Use DiscoverCars to find and compare car deals

• Budget planning:
  • Accommodations: $100-250 per night
  • Food: $40-80 per person daily
  • Fuel: Higher than in many other European countries
  • Toll roads: Budget approximately $150 for the entire trip
• Essential documents:
  • Valid passport
  • International Driving Permit (recommended)
  • Vehicle insurance (check for cross-border coverage)
  • European Health Insurance Card (for EU citizens)
• Useful apps: Download Maps.me, VisitNorway, and Fjordguide for offline navigation and information.

Day 1-2: Copenhagen, Denmark – The Perfect Starting Point

Copenhagen is where you want to start this epic journey! The airport is super convenient, and picking up our rental was a breeze compared to the nightmare we had in Barcelona last year.

It makes an ideal gateway to Scandinavia with excellent international flight connections:

Day 1:

• Morning: Arrive at Copenhagen Airport and pick up your rental car
  • Pro tip: The airport is just 8km from the city center, but consider parking outside the center and using public transport for city exploration
• Afternoon: Explore central Copenhagen
  • Nyhavn’s colorful waterfront (perfect for your first Scandinavian photo!)
  • Stroll through the picturesque Tivoli Gardens
  • Visit the iconic Little Mermaid statue
• Evening: Enjoy dinner in the trendy Meatpacking District, where converted industrial spaces now house some of the city’s best restaurants

Day 2:

• Morning: Visit Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament
• Afternoon: Take a short drive to Kronborg Castle in Helsingør
  • This UNESCO World Heritage site is the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet
  • The drive takes approximately 45 minutes from central Copenhagen
• Evening: Return to Copenhagen for a food tour in Torvehallerne food market
  • Don’t miss trying smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches) – a Danish classic!

Where to stay: Hotel SP34 in the Latin Quarter offers stylish rooms and a great location for exploring the city.

Day 3-4: Gothenburg to Stockholm, Sweden

Look, crossing that Øresund Bridge from Denmark to Sweden is something else! It’s like driving over the ocean for almost 8 kilometers. My first time doing it, I gripped the wheel with iron fingers the whole way!

Gothenburg’s totally worth a stop before heading to Stockholm. The Haga district is super cute with these massive cinnamon buns that’ll make your eyes pop – they call them “hagabullar” and they’re amazing. Trust me on this one.

Day 3:

• Morning: Drive from Copenhagen to Gothenburg (approximately 3 hours)
  • Cross the impressive Øresund Bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden
  • Remember to keep your passport handy for potential border checks
• Afternoon: Explore Gothenburg highlights
  • Wander through the charming cobblestone streets of the Haga district
  • Visit Liseberg Amusement Park if traveling with family
• Evening: Sample fresh seafood at Feskekôrka (the “Fish Church”) market hall

Day 4:

• Morning: Early departure for Stockholm (approximately 5 hours drive)
  • Take the scenic E4 coastal route for beautiful views
  • Stop at the medieval town of Vadstena on Lake Vättern for lunch
• Afternoon: Arrive in Stockholm and begin exploration
  • Gamla Stan (the Old Town), with its narrow streets and colorful buildings
  • Royal Palace and the changing of the guard ceremony
• Evening: Enjoy dinner in Södermalm, Stockholm’s hip southern island

Where to stay: At the Six Hotel, which offers contemporary luxury in a central location.

Day 5-6: The Heart of Sweden to Oslo, Norway

Don’t rush out of Stockholm too fast. The Vasa Museum houses this massive warship that sank in 1628. They pulled it up almost completely intact. It’s crazy to think it sat underwater for over 300 years!

Day 5:

• Morning: Explore more of Stockholm
  • Visit the Vasa Museum to see the impressive preserved 17th-century warship
  • Take a boat tour of Stockholm’s archipelago if time permits
• Afternoon: Begin your drive toward Oslo (approximately 6 hours total)
  • Break up the journey with a stop in Karlstad, located on Lake Vänern
• Evening: Cross the border into Norway and arrive in Oslo
  • Border crossing is straightforward within the Nordic countries
  • Have your passport ready just in case

Day 6:

• Morning: Explore Oslo’s highlights
  • Vigeland Sculpture Park, with over 200 fascinating sculptures
  • The striking Oslo Opera House – walk on its roof for harbor views!
• Afternoon: Visit museums on the Bygdøy peninsula
  • Viking Ship Museum to see incredibly preserved Viking vessels
  • The Fram Museum to learn about the history of  polar exploration
• Evening: Dinner in Aker Brygge, a revitalized waterfront area with numerous restaurants

Where to stay: Thon Hotel Opera puts you right next to the Opera House and the central station.

Day 7-8: Norwegian Fjords and Coastal Drive

This is where the magic happens, folks! Leaving Oslo behind, you’ll want to take Highway 7 through Hardangervidda. We got caught in a random summer snowstorm there once – in JUNE! Pack layers, seriously.

Day 7:

• Morning: Early departure from Oslo toward Bergen
  • Take the scenic route via Highway 7 through Hardangervidda National Park
• Afternoon: Enter the magnificent fjord region
  • Stop at Vøringsfossen waterfall, with its 182-meter drop
  • Continue along the edge of Hardangerfjord
• Evening: Overnight in Ulvik or Eidfjord
  • These small towns offer charming accommodations right on the fjord
  • Try local apple cider – the region is famous for its orchards!

Day 8:

• Morning: Continue your journey toward Bergen
  • Take the ferry from Brimnes to Bruravik across Hardangerfjord
  • Drive through the world’s longest road tunnel, Lærdal (24.5 km)
• Afternoon: Visit Sognefjord, Norway’s largest and deepest fjord
  • Optional detour to Flåm to ride the famous mountain railway
• Evening: Arrive in Bergen, Norway’s charming second-largest city

Where to stay: Bergen Børs Hotel, housed in the city’s former stock exchange building.

Day 9-10: Bergen and Return to Copenhagen

Bergen has these super colorful wooden buildings called Bryggen right on the waterfront. They’re crazy old—like 14th-century old—and they lean at all sorts of weird angles now. We got lost in the narrow passageways between them for about an hour once.

Day 9:

• Morning: Explore Bergen
  • Visit the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf with its colorful wooden buildings
  • Take the Fløibanen funicular to Mount Fløyen for panoramic city views
• Afternoon: Explore Bergen’s famous Fish Market
  • Sample fresh seafood and local specialties
  • Shop for souvenirs and Norwegian wool products
• Evening: Begin your return journey toward Copenhagen
  • Option 1: Drive to Stavanger (4.5 hours) and overnight there
  • Option 2: Take an overnight ferry from Bergen to Denmark

Day 10:

• Morning: Continue driving toward Copenhagen
  • If taking the mainland route, enjoy the scenic drive through southern Sweden
  • If taking the ferry, arrive in northern Denmark and drive south
• Afternoon: Final approach to Copenhagen
  • Allow extra time for returning the rental car at the airport
• Evening: Last night in Copenhagen before departure
  • Enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Copenhagen’s renowned restaurants
  • Noma and Geranium offer world-class Nordic cuisine (book months ahead!)

Where to stay: AC Hotel Bella Sky near the airport for convenient morning departures.

Practical Tips for Your Scandinavian Road Trip

OK, so the driving rules here are no joke. They take their speed limits SUPER seriously, especially in Norway. My husband got nailed with a 400 euro fine for going just 15 km/h over! I still haven’t let him live that one down.

Headlights are mandatory 24/7 in all these countries, even in broad daylight. We kept forgetting to turn them on, and other drivers would flash us like crazy. Embarrassing!

Make your journey smoother with these essential tips:

• Road regulations:
  • Speed limits: Generally 50 km/h in urban areas, 80-100 km/h on highways
  • Headlights must be on at all times, even during daylight hours
  • Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers
  • The blood alcohol limit is extremely low in all Scandinavian countries – avoid alcohol completely if driving
• Toll information:
  • Norway has numerous toll roads with automatic plate recognition
  • Most rental companies have toll transponders but verify this before departure
  • Some bridges in Denmark and Sweden require payment
• Gas stations:
  • In rural Norway, stations can be far apart – keep your tank at least half full
  • Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s better to have some cash on hand just in case
  • Fuel prices are among the highest in Europe, especially in Norway
• Emergency information:
  • The emergency number across Scandinavia: 112
  • Download the “Norway Visitor” and “Be Safe” apps for safety information
• Language basics:
  • English is widely spoken throughout Scandinavia
  • Learning a few basic phrases in each language is appreciated:
    • Thank you: Tak (Danish), Tack (Swedish), Takk (Norwegian)
    • Hello: Hej (Danish/Swedish), Hei (Norwegian)

Conclusion

A 10-day Scandinavia road trip offers the perfect blend of urban exploration and natural wonders that you simply can’t experience any other way! From Copenhagen’s colorful harbors to Norway’s dramatic fjords, you’ll collect memories that will last a lifetime.

I still remember standing at Preikestolen overlooking Lysefjord, feeling like I was on top of the world – and you can have that same experience!

The beauty of a road trip is the freedom to discover your own special moments. Prepare your camera and playlist and embark on this incredible Scandinavian journey. The open roads of the North are waiting for you!