With extensive open countryside and beautiful scenery, Scandinavia is one of the most stunning areas in Europe for camping and caravan journeys. The range of landscapes is considerable ranging from the towering fjords of Norway, to the forests of Lapland and Finland, Swedish mountains and islands to the beaches and windswept fields of Denmark. In summer, the sun hardly seems to set, while in winter the northern skies can be lit by the fantastic illuminations of the Aurea Borealis casting its flickering lights across the thick snow
Wilderness camping and caravanning is common, as long as you follow the basic rules of the countryside. Each country has its own Right of Public Access which allows you to forage in the wild, catch fish and put up tents providing they are not close to houses and cultivated land. Local regulations may vary, so it is wise to check these out beforehand.
There are countless official sites in each country, for example over 800 in Norway, more than 400 in Sweden, 132 annually inspected sites in Finland and 500 in Denmark. In addition Denmark has 408 campsites with specific motorhome spots. Lapland in the far north of Scandinavia links Sweden, Norway and Finland together, with different regions in each country.
Camping & caravanning is an ideal way to explore these Scandinavian countries. The Oresund Bridge now connects Denmark with Sweden, offering easy automobile access throughout Scandinavia.
In Denmark, you can visit old towns and cities like Aahus and Odense where cobbled streets and half timbered houses take you back in time. In Copenhagen, the Tivoli amusement park is one of the oldest in Europe and on the edge of the harbour, Hans Christian Anderson’s iconic Little Mermaid sits forever looking out across the sea. There are unique landscapes like Skagen, Bornholm and Thy National Park to be discovered. Much of the countryside is flat, with the highest point in the country only 170 meters above sea level.
Travelling northwards to Sweden, expect to find vast swathes of forests, mountains and lakes. There are thousands of islands scattered along the coastline, within Stockholm itself built on 14 islands connected by over 50 bridges. The country life is very important in Sweden, with most people enjoying the open air and exploring the countryside. Scenic vistas change dramatically as you move through the country, from the rolling plains and white cottages of southern Sweden to the natural wildness of Swedish Lapland, home to the Sami people where temperatures can reach - 40 C in winter. If you are looking for history and heritage, then Stockholm, the medieval city of Uppsala and the UNESCO World Heritage site at the Great Copper Mine in Falun should not be missed. Stockholm is the home of the incredible Vasa Museum containing a seventeenth century warship reclaimed from the sea, while ABBA fans are attracted to ABBA The Museum, part of the Swedish Music Hall of Fame.
Across the mountains in Norway, you can find some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. Its coastline is characterized by deep fjords that are surrounded by towering mountains dropping steeply into the sea; steeply winding roads often with hairpin bends that provide stunning views across sea and mountains. At every point there are breathtaking views, although at times you may have to avoid being blown off your feet by the strength of the wind. The Atlantic Road dips and arches as it links up a series of islands, creating the impression that you are about to drive straight into the sea. The colorful buildings of Kristiansand, Tromso and Bergen are extremely eye-catching, as are the railways like the Rauma line between Andalsnes and Bjorli which snake up the mountainside across landscapes that are otherwise inaccessible.
Heading eastwards from Sweden, there are regular ferries to take you across the Baltic Sea to Finland. This is a land of thousands of lakes and extensive evergreen forests – and Santa Claus. Finland is also a vast country, and can take some time to travel from one end to the other! Most camping sites are located in picturesque surroundings beside lakes, rivers or the sea. In the summer, Finnish people tend to head for maritime locations, as activities such as fishing, canoeing, sailing and going to the sauna are extremely popular. Head for Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, to discover the home of Santa Claus, while during the summer this is also the land of the Midnight sun where the sun rarely sets between May and August. For city life, Helsinki should not be missed with world class museums and art galleries and unusual churches such as the Temppeliaukio Church built into the rock as well as the stunning fortress of Suomenlinna.