As the year draws towards a close, we look ahead to the destinations across Scandinavia and the Nordics that we expect to shape your travel plans over the coming 12 months – from the frozen wilds of Greenland’s west coast to Finland’s idyllic Turku Archipelago. So, without further ado, here’s our ‘hot list’ for 2025…
Alta, Norway
Northern Lights Cathedral, Alta
Around 400 km north of the Arctic Circle is the Norwegian city of Alta, considered to be one of the best places not just in Scandinavia, but anywhere in the world, to see the Northern Lights. This is due to several reasons, the most significant being that it sits at 70°N, right beneath the auroral oval, meaning that even relatively low levels of geomagnetic activity can produce majestic auroral displays. It’s also tucked away at the head of a fjord, meaning it often receives calmer – and clearer – weather conditions than more exposed locations along the coast. Such is Alta’s synonymity with the Northern Lights that its most striking architectural landmark, a futuristic stainless steel cathedral, is named after the natural phenomenon.
A trip to Alta isn’t all about aurora chasing, though. You needn’t venture far beyond the city limits before you’re totally immersed in pristine Arctic nature, which can be explored by husky sled, on snowmobile safaris, with cross-country skis or on snowshoe hikes. And if you happen to be here in March, you may be able to catch part of the annual Finnmarksløpet – the world’s longest dog-sledding race, which gets underway in Alta on Friday 14th March 2025. It’s also well worth heading just outside of town to the Alta Museum, which plays host to a UNESCO World Heritage collection of prehistoric rock art.
Suggested holiday: Northern Lights City Break in Alta
Ukkohalla, Finland
Sky Cabin Glass Suites at Ukkohalla Resort, Arctic Lakeland
The vast majority of Finland’s winter tourism is concentrated in Lapland, but the lesser-known region of Arctic Lakeland, which occupies central-eastern Finland, is an excellent alternative with fewer crowds, lower prices and a similarly extensive range of outdoor adventures on offer. It benefits some of the most reliable snow conditions anywhere in the Nordics, too, typically from early December through to April (and sometimes beyond). In particular, Ukkohalla, which lies amid the tallest hills of the Kainuu region, is a standout choice thanks to its serene lakeside setting, wide range of accommodation options, superb sauna complex and immaculately-groomed ski slopes. Although not quite as far north as Finnish Lapland, it lies at 64°N (the same latitude as Reykjavik), making it a good bet for seeing the Northern Lights between mid-September and early April.
It’s not exclusively a winter destination, either. In fact, autumn is a fantastic time to visit Ukkohalla, as the Northern Lights are often visible (and reflecting on the unfrozen lakes), temperatures are comfortable, and the surrounding forests, fells and lakes lend themselves to hiking, cycling, wild swimming and fishing.
Suggested holiday: Autumn hiking, cycling & Northern Lights in Arctic Lakeland
Kiruna, Sweden
Kiruna, Sweden's northernmost city
Often overlooked in favour of Finnish Lapland and Arctic Norway, much of Swedish Lapland has a wilder, more stripped back feel than the perennially popular Arctic tourism hubs of its Nordic neighbours. As such, it lends itself to those seeking to venture a little more off the beaten track for a more low key and truly authentic experience in Scandinavia’s far north – and Kiruna is the perfect gateway. Sweden’s northernmost city is a fascinating place, originally founded as a mining community in 1900 following the discovery of vast iron ore deposits nearby, which fuelled its economic development throughout the 20th century. Today, it’s a city on the move, with an ambitious project underway to relocate Kiruna to more solid ground several kilometres east of its historic centre, where the ground has been gradually destabilized by mining activity over the years. It has recently been named an upcoming European Capital of Culture for 2029, a prestigious accolade which recognises Kiruna’s mining heritage, indigenous Sámi culture, advancements in space exploration and urban adaptation deep inside the Arctic Circle.
All that said, much of Kiruna’s appeal lies in the swathes of unspoilt wilderness right on its doorstep. To the north, Abisko and Björkliden are renowned as some of the best aurora hunting hotspots in Scandinavia, thanks to the ‘blue hole’ effect, which sees the area experience frequent clear skies due to the natural cloud barrier formed by the mountains along the nearby Norwegian border. Just to the east, meanwhile, is Jukkasjärvi, home to the original ICEHOTEL, which will celebrate its 36th anniversary in 2025.
Suggested holiday: Camp Ripan Winter Weekend
Akureyri, Iceland
Akureyri, Iceland's 'Capital of the North'
While Reykjavik has long been the starting point for many an Icelandic adventure, offering an enticing blend of urban attractions and access to the iconic sights of the Golden Circle, South Coast and Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Akureyri – Iceland’s second city – is increasingly drawing adventurous travellers to the country’s wild and rugged far north. This is in no small part down to the advent of direct flights from London Gatwick, running all the way through April before picking up again in early October, along with a newly-launched seasonal route from Manchester. Whereas previously, most visitors would only stop by Akureyri while driving the Ring Road (the 1,322 km road that encircles the country), these new flight connections open up the possibility of making North Iceland your primary destination for an autumn, winter or spring break. Once you arrive, it takes just five minutes to drive from the airport to the town centre.
Akureyri itself is a compact town with a population of just 19,000 people, home to a thriving cultural and artistic scene and several excellent restaurants. Its true appeal, though, lies in the astonishing wealth of natural wonders in the surrounding region. Many of these, including Goðafoss waterfall, Dettifoss waterfall and Lake Myvatn (where bubbling mud pots and fumaroles pierce the Earth’s crust), are linked along the Diamond Circle driving route, which also passes through Húsavík, one of Iceland’s best whale watching destinations. Several of Iceland’s finest geothermal spas are found in the region, too, including the Forest Lagoon (just outside of Akureyri), Myvatn Nature Baths and GeoSea. There’s even a beer spa, Bjórböðin, where you can bathe in a wooden tub filled with mineral-rich beer while pouring your own pint of freshly brewed Icelandic Kaldi beer from a tap. North of Akureyri is a string of picturesque fishing villages tucked away among steep-sided fjords, such as Siglufjörður, where you’ll find a craft brewery, the fascinating Herring Era Museum and the delightful, fjord-side Sigló Hótel.
Suggested holiday: Akureyri Aurora Escape
Ilulissat, Greenland
Ilulissat, Greenland's iceberg town
On the remote west coast of Greenland, facing out across Disko Bay, is Ilulissat, Greenland’s third-largest town and primary tourism hub. Its name, rather suitably, directly translates to ‘icebergs’ in Kalaallisut (the West Greenlandic language); the town sits at the mouth of a fjord fed by one of the fastest-moving and most active glaciers on Earth, Sermeq Kujalleq. The resulting stream of gigantic icebergs that float down the Ilulissat Icefjord has made it Greenland’s most captivating destination and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. Thanks to a series of easily accessible, well-marked hiking trails, it’s rather straightforward to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon up close, while the architectural masterpiece that is the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre offers a richly informative introduction to the region’s history, culture and future in the context of climate change. Boat tours allow you to appreciate the icebergs from a totally different angle, while in summer, you can even go kayaking among them – and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a whale or two.
In the winter months, temperatures sometimes drop below -30°C, but when dressed appropriately, this is no barrier to exploring the Ilulissat backcountry on husky sledding and snowmobiling adventures. And of course, the Northern Lights are a regular sight swirling across the night sky from late September to late March, with minimal light pollution making it easy to find dark sky spots with ideal viewing conditions. While getting to Greenland naturally involves a longer and more complex journey than travelling to much of Scandinavia and the Nordics, the recent opening of the new Nuuk International Airport has made it more accessible than ever, with regular direct flights from Copenhagen. From Nuuk, it’s just over an hour’s flight up north to Ilulissat, which has its own brand new international airport under construction – due to open in 2026.
Suggested holiday: West Greenland Explorer: Nuuk, Ilulissat & Ilimanaq
Svalbard, Norway
Aurora borealis dancing above the mountains of Svalbard
There’s certainly no shortage of breathtaking landscapes and epic adventures to be had in the northern reaches of Norway, Sweden and Finland, but Svalbard very much feels like a realm of its own, where nature reigns supreme and human civilization exists at its outermost limits. For most of us, this is realistically as far north as we’ll ever set foot; Svalbard lies roughly half-way between the northernmost tip of mainland Norway and the North Pole. Yet, for somewhere so incredibly remote, it’s remarkably easy to get to, with Longyearbyen served by regular flights from Oslo (three hours) and Tromsø (an hour-and-a-half). It’s a place of stark and contrasting extremes, where the sun doesn’t rise for over 100 days in winter and doesn’t set at all between late April and late August.
Most trips to Svalbard revolve around Longyearbyen – the world’s northernmost town with a population greater than 1,000 – where the vast majority of the archipelago’s inhabitants live and work. There are several hotels, a surprisingly eclectic range of bars and restaurants, and even the world’s northernmost brewery, which uses glacier water across its small-batch range of pilsners, pale ales, wheat beers and stouts. From Longyearbyen, one can head out into the polar wilderness by snowmobile or husky sled in the winter months, or on hikes and bike rides in the summer – always in the company of a guide, as the very real threat of polar bears means it’s prohibited to wander beyond the town’s limits without the necessary protection. In summer, it’s also possible to embark on an expedition cruise, which will take you far beyond Longyearbyen to explore the most remote corners of Svalbard, with chances to spot wildlife such as polar bears, walruses, seals and whales along the way.
Suggested holiday: Arctic Explorations with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
Norwegian coast with Havila Voyages
Havila Voyages, the ultimate way to explore Norway's spectacular coastline
Norway’s coastline is one of the world’s longest and most spectacular, stretching over 100,000 km when you include all its fjords and islands. Also dotted along its coast are myriad colourful timber fishing villages and cities packed with cultural treasures, historic landmarks and beautiful architecture. There’s surely no better way to explore it, in depth, than a coastal cruise with Havila Voyages, which pairs sleek, Nordic-inspired cabins with delicious, locally sourced cuisine and a plethora of optional excursions on every voyage, from guided walking tours and scenic hikes to RIB boat safaris and husky sledding adventures. Each of their four ships is considerably smaller than those of many other cruise lines, facilitating a much more intimate and personalised experience as well as being able to sail seamlessly among the fjords.
They operate a variety of routes all year round between Bergen and Kirkenes, including round trips, northbound and southbound voyages, varying in length between 2-12 days, passing between the likes of Ålesund, Trondheim and Tromsø, as well as the stunning Lofoten Islands and the North Cape, which plunges dramatically into the icy waters of the Barents Sea at 71°N – the northernmost point of mainland Europe. It’s also entirely possible – and recommended – to pair a Havila cruise with a night or two on land on either side, depending on where you plan to embark and disembark; for instance, spending a night in Tromsø followed by a two-night cruise to Kirkenes, where you may choose to spend a night in the Kirkenes Snowhotel before flying home via Oslo. Depending on the time of year, a Havila cruise is also one of the best ways of maximising your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. And in 2025, there’s also the opportunity to experience a special astronomy-focused version of Havila’s classic round-trip winter voyage, which sees you cover the highlights of Norway’s coastline, accompanied by a series of fascinating talks from an expert astronomer.
Suggested holiday: Havila Voyages: Norway Winter Explorer from Bergen to Kirkenes
Gotland, Sweden
Visby, the medieval capital of Gotland
When contemplating a Swedish summer escape, the prospect of sprawling pine forests, glistening lakes and copper-hued wooden cottages is perhaps what immediately springs to mind. And while this quintessential scene characterises much of the mainland, it’s not quite so applicable to Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, which lies around 90 kilometres off the southeast coast in the Baltic Sea. Along Gotland’s coast, you’ll find glorious sandy beaches, sleepy fishing hamlets and monolithic limestone sea stacks, giving way to a relatively flat, bucolic interior of meadows and fields punctuated by stone churches, thatch-roofed barns and windmills.
The island’s capital, Visby, is a UNESCO-listed warren of beautifully preserved cobbled lanes lined by Hanseatic stone warehouses, flower-wreathed cottages and Gothic and Romanesque churches, as well as several Viking ruins, making it a compelling standalone destination as well as a strategic base for exploring the rest of Gotland. In recent years, Gotland’s culinary scene has also been garnering quite the reputation, with many small-scale producers supplying restaurants with freshly caught seafood, lamb, truffles, wild garlic and saffron, which thrives in the island’s relatively mild and sunny climate. Paired with a night or two in Stockholm, it’s right up there among Scandinavia’s most alluring summer destinations.
Suggested holiday: Gotland & Stockholm Fly-Drive
Faroe Islands
The remote village of Tjørnuvík in the Faroe Islands
Just looking at a map, you could be forgiven for mistaking the Faroe Islands for a far-flung extension of the British Isles; indeed, their closest neighbours are the Shetland Islands. This collection of 18 grassy, windswept outcrops in the North Atlantic is, however, distinctly Nordic in character – part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but with a proud cultural identity of their own. In some respects, the rugged mountains and treeless moorlands here closely resemble the landscapes you’ll find in parts of Iceland and Scotland, but there’s something distinctly mystical about this archipelago that’s difficult to put your finger on until you’ve been there in person. Perhaps, it has something to do with the raw vitality of the elements – the howling wind, the ferocity of the ocean waves, the saltiness of the air and the blanket of fog and mist that’s somehow never far away – which feeds into that somewhat otherworldly aura. And with direct flights from London Gatwick to Vagar Airport from 31 May – 30 August 2025, getting there is easier than ever before.
While fine weather should never be expected, the Faroe Islands are best explored in the summer months, when temperatures are at their mildest (usually in the region of 10-15°C) and the almost-endless daylight allows you to make the most of your time in the great outdoors. The beauty of a trip to the Faroes is in its simplicity; you will spend most of your time doing little else but hiking in nature and exploring the villages, such as Gjógv, Tjørnuvík and Saksun, for these are the archipelago’s primary attractions. Tórshavn, the capital, is the closest thing to a city in the Faroe Islands, but really it feels more like a small-to-medium sized town, with a cluster of cosy cafes, bars and restaurants serving Faroese specialities with a heavy focus on lamb and fish. Its historic core, occupying a narrow peninsula that juts out into the harbour, comprises a labyrinth of black-tarred, turf roof houses and red parliament buildings that feels almost entirely frozen in time – totally unlike anything you’ll find in any other European capital.
Suggested holiday: Classic tour of the Faroe Islands
Turku Archipelago, Finland
Forested islands of the Turku Archipelago
The allure of the Northern Lights and dreamy winter landscapes might be what draws most international visitors to Finland, but a summer trip has so much to offer – particularly if you’d rather avoid the scorching temperatures of Southern Europe. There’s arguably no better place to experience summer in Finland than the Turku Archipelago, a collection of 40,000 islands and islets scattered off the southwest coast in the Baltic Sea, which enjoys temperatures in excess of 20°C along with endless daylight in the summer months. The innermost islands are connected by road to the mainland and are easily explored by car or by public bus, while other parts of the archipelago are served by regular ferries – many of which are completely free of charge.
You could opt to follow the Archipelago Trail, a 250 km loop that starts and ends in Turku, Finland’s second-largest city, to explore the archipelago in depth – or, for a more laid-back getaway, you could base yourself in one location and simply embrace the slower pace of life and the tranquility of the nature while enjoying the likes of hiking, cycling, wild swimming and fishing. Turku itself is a vibrant city with a large student population, a striking medieval cathedral, an imposing 13th-century castle and a pretty riverfront promenade lined with lively bars and restaurants – more than enough to warrant a night or two before or after you venture out into the nearby archipelago.
Suggested holiday: Turku Archipelago: Island-hopping self-drive
