Whether it's visiting in the off-season or during the height of summer travel, the Nordics' hidden gems await to inspire guests with local flavors, romantic towns and vibrant, scenery that remains largely undiscovered and off-the-beaten path.
Denmark
Bornholm is known as "Denmark's Sunshine Island" as well as its "food larder." Reached by ferry, visitors will find beautiful cliffs, some of Denmark's finest seaside hotels, clearly marked cycling routes as well as romantic small towns with half-timbered houses.
In addition, Møn is just under two hours south of Copenhagen and is home to one of Denmark’s biggest and most surprising wonders, Mons Klint, 70 million-year-old chalk cliffs that are gentling crumbling into the Baltic Sea.
In Funen, “Denmark’s Garden Island," visitors will find more than 123 beautiful castles and manor houses. Odense is the birthplace of fairytale writer H.C. Andersen, and visitors can explore his birthplace as well as a new state-of-the-art museum.
Aron Dahne, Bour (Photo Credit: Aronsche for the Nordics)
Faroe Islands
Suðuroy is a hidden gem of the Faroe Islands. It is the southernmost island and the least visited. Here, visitors will find Hvalba with its large white beach and island charms such as cousins Johan and Guðrun who have recreated the home of their grandmother and the memories of their childhood summers. Visitors can stay with them and experience the breathtaking region like a local.
Additionally, in the small village of Bøur, visitors can rent a cottage built in the traditional Faroese style with grass roofs and black timber.
Lakeland cycling, Finland (Photo Credit: The Nordics)
Finland
Turku and the Finnish Archipelago are home to Finland’s oldest city and the country's former capital. It is not only a rising foodie destination with a vivid city culture but a gateway to the world’s largest archipelago.
Finland is often referred as the country of 1,000 lakes, but that doesn’t quite tell the whole truth. There are actually more than 180,000 lakes in Finland, which makes it the largest lake district in Europe.
Wellness treatments in Greenland (Photo Credit: The Nordics)
Greenland
Greenland still flies under the radar of most travelers, meaning it is a country of hidden gems for the most part. However, there are still a few truly off-the-beaten-path locales.
Travelers can enjoy glamping in Saqqaq Disko Bay & Kangiusaq, Nuuk Fjord, and visit Arctic spas and saunas, the perfect complement to Greenland's adventurous activities. Imagine cold dips in the Arctic Ocean surrounded by icebergs and warming up in the sauna followed by a relaxing spa treatment.
Visitors can also stay with a sheep farmer and enjoy food festivals.
Hiking Hvalfjörður, Iceland (Photo Credit: The Nordics)
Iceland
In Iceland, visitors can discover a forgotten gem in the vicinity of Reykjavík—The Hvalfjörður fjord (Whale fjord).
The long fjord of Hvalfjörður, once known to everyone who ever looped the country, became a quiet detour some 45-minute drive from Reykjavík after a tunnel diverted visitors. Today, the beautiful fjord with its winding roads and pristine hiking paths is being rediscovered by travelers and developers alike.
Northern Lights in Senja, Norway (Photo Credit: The Nordics)
Norway
Head to northern Norway to find one of this country's hidden gems. Nestled along the rugged coastline, Senja is as an enchanting and unspoiled haven that deserves recognition as a "hidden gem." Home to dramatic landscapes, Senja offers a breathtaking panorama of soaring mountains, tranquil fjords, and pristine white-sand beaches, making it a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
Another gem is the Telemark Canal. This oft-overlooked historic waterway offers a journey through history and stunning natural beauty, connecting a series of picturesque lakes, and giving visitors the chance to embark on a tranquil cruise through Norway's heartland.
Foraging in Helgö, Småland, Sweden (Photo Credit: Visit Sweden)
Sweden
Sweden's hidden gems can be found in its smaller cities and towns. there are plenty of lesser-known, smaller cities off the beaten track, all offering an equally attractive mix of culture and nature as their big-city counterparts. What’s more, they’re easy to reach from the larger cities—ideal if you want to extend your clients' city break.
While in the countryside, embark on a Swedish food safari, ideal for visitors coming to the country during the late summer and early autumn months.
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