Scandinavian Cities You Have to See in Autumn!
Autumn is the perfect time of year to visit new cities. The crowds of summer have left, local life resumes, and usually flights are less expensive too. If you want to see Scandinavia at its best, you need to come in Autumn!
To help you plan your trip, we’ve compiled a list of the best Scandinavian cities you have to see in autumn. If you really like the sound of these places, why not do a tour around Scandinavia. The perfect way to spend these crisp, relaxed months - here you come!
Copenhagen
Country: Denmark
Currency: Danish Krone
Av. autumn temp: 7 - 12°C
Let’s begin with Project Nord’s home - the beautiful city of Copenhagen.
Copenhagen is famous for its Little Mermaid statue and the glorious Nyhavn. But, its real, less spoken-of charm, is how familiar the city feels, even on first visits! It’s a lived-in city; it doesn’t feel dramatically ‘touristy’. Instead, visitors fit straight into the local way of life, cycling around on bicycles and taking in Copenhagen’s beautiful, historical sites. As there are so many parks in Copenhagen, autumn is a wonderful time to watch the leaves turn from green to deep red!
Rosenborg Castle Gardens is right in the centre and is a beautiful sight in autumn. Also referred to as ‘King’s Garden’, the park has been around for over 400 years! It was first created by King Christian IV as a private retreat within the city. The grounds were also used to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers for the royal family. Rosenborg Castle, a renaissance ‘summerhouse’, was built twenty years later. Now, locals and visitors alike stroll around the grounds, wandering down its tree-lined avenues and around its flowering beds. From within its walls, it’s difficult to imagine that you’re in the centre of a capital city. It’s quite magical!
If you’re feeling a bit cold outside, then head over the road to Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden. It contains more than 13,000 species of plants set in 27 glasshouses. One of the houses is air-conditioned to recreate Arctic environments! The Botanical Gardens are stunning and educational, and make a great destination if you want to enjoy the natural world on the coldest autumn days.
Stockholm
Country: Sweden
Currency: Swedish Krona
Av. autumn temp: 6 - 11°C
Next up, we have Stockholm, the stunning Swedish capital spread over fourteen islands.
Even though the city sits in lots of water, Stockholm has its fair share of green spaces too. In Sweden, 53.1% of landmass is covered by forests. And, it’s not much different for its capital. The island of Djurgården is a beautiful, leafy area to explore in the autumn. In the past, the area was used as a game park by the royal family. Fast-forward to today and parts of the island have been left to nature. Isbladskärret is a small lake in the centre of the area which is appreciated for the variety of birds it is home to. So, if you want to wrap up warm and descend into the natural world, here’s your spot! There are lots of indoor activities you can take part in on the island too. If you think of yourself as a dancing queen, the ABBA museum is located here. So is the Nordic Museum, a visual catalogue of Swedish culture, and the Vasa museum, which holds a salvaged 17th century warship!
If you’re willing to venture out of the city, going mushroom foraging is a brilliant way to spend autumn afternoons. Mushrooms can be found in Swedish forests all year round, though late summer and autumn is prime time for picking. Gömmarens nature reserve is a brilliant spot for foraging. But you have to remember that mushroom picking can be a dangerous process. There are over 10,000 species of mushrooms which grown in Sweden and only 100 of them are considered edible. With the help of an experienced guide, this is a great activity. And, you get to eat what you find at the end of the day. Perfect!
Helsingør
Country: Denmark
Currency: Danish Krone
Av. autumn temp: 7 - 12°C
Helsingør, also called Elsinore, is another of Denmark’s gems, not far from the capital. Although you may not have heard of the city before, you definitely know what it is famous for - being the home of Hamlet!
Supposedly, Helsingør’s Kronborg castle is where Shakespeare set his play Hamlet, the tragic story of a Danish King. A fortification first existed on this spot in the 1420s, though was rebuilt into a Renaissance masterpiece before Shakespeare’s time. Whether you’re a fan of tragic theatre or not, the castle is amazing to walk around, especially when things get spooky around halloween. The castle also holds Holger the Dane, a statue of the mythical being who sits asleep in Kronborg’s cellars until the day he will awake to save Denmark.
The city of Helsingør is also lovely to stroll around on autumnal days. The old town has lots of quaint, cobbled streets. And, as the city is sat right next to the sea, there is a range of great seafood on offer! Warm up after a long day with some premium quality fish.
Oslo
Country: Norway
Currency: Norwegian Krone
Av. autumn temp: 4 - 10°C
And, the final city on our list is Norway’s capital Oslo.
Lots of tourists descend on Oslo in winter time for its christmas markets. But, they’re missing a trick. The autumn light shows off Oslo’s sights perfectly. So, where should you head when you touch down in the city?
First up, take a look at Damstredet, a charming part of central Oslo with beautifully-preserved, nineteenth century houses. Cobbled streets wind round the painted, wooden buildings. It is a perfectly picturesque spot!
Walking down the river Akerselva is another beautiful way to spend an autumn morning. This area was originally Oslo’s industrial hub. Today, factory buildings and old mills still line the river. However, since they are no longer in use, the Akerselva has been transformed into a green paradise. You can take a walking route, winding past various parks and recreational areas. Plus, rest your feet by stopping in a little cafe along the river bank. What a beautiful way to spend your day!
That was our list of Scandinavian cities you have to see in autumn! Where can you imagine yourself around this lovely time of year? There’s only one way to find out!
If you want a Scandinavian souvenir from your time in this part of the world, then why not browse Project Nord’s collection of Scandi-style posters? There’s something brilliantly Nordic for everyone!
Written by Jessica Slater
Images sourced from Pintrest, Upsplash, and the Project Nord website.