Nordic Visitor can plan an unforgettable trip for you to any of these European countries:

• • Iceland
• • Scotland
• • Ireland
• • Norway
• • Sweden
• • Finland
• • Denmark
• • Greenland
   

We also offer Northern Europe packages in the following destinations:

• • Scandinavia – a group of countries, comprising Norway, Sweden and Denmark
• • Lapland – a region spanning the northern reaches of Sweden and Finland
• • Svalbard – a remote Norwegian archipelago located in the Arctic Circle
   

Northern Europe has very low crime rates and is a safe place to visit. In fact, the Global Peace Index rates the Nordic nations as some of the most peaceful countries in the world.

It's also good to know that the destinations you can visit with Nordic Visitor all have excellent, modern healthcare services.

You can check the latest guidance for visiting Northern Europe on our Travel Update page.

In Northern Europe the climate varies a lot between seasons. This means that your experience of a destination will be different depending on the time of year that you’re travelling. Happily, this just gives you more reasons for a return visit.

The spring and summer season is from May to September in Northern Europe. This time of year tends to bring drier and milder weather. And the region’s warmest average temperatures range from around 13°C (55°F) in parts of Iceland to 21°C (70°F) in southern Sweden.

If you’re planning an Arctic adventure to Svalbard or Greenland in summer, it’s worth remembering the average temperature at this time of year will be lower. For instance, July is the warmest month of the year, with an average temperature of around 7°C (45°F).

In general, Northern Europe’s winter months, from October to April, tend to be chillier. That said, the Gulf Stream prevents the region from becoming as cold as countries at similar latitudes, like Canada.

For example, in Nordic Visitor’s Northern European winter destinations, the lowest average temperatures vary from approximately -11°C (12°F) in Lapland to 7°C (45°F) in Ireland. Meanwhile the average winter temperature in Iceland is usually around 1°C (34°F).

You’ll find more specific climate information in these Northern Europe travel guides:

• • Iceland weather and climate conditions
• • Scotland weather and climate conditions
• • Norway weather and climate conditions
• • Lapland weather and climate conditions
• • Ireland weather and climate conditions
   

So, leave behind thoughts of the hot climes found in Southern European destinations, like Rome, Italy. And instead, focus on what you can see in Europe’s north: spectacular displays of the northern lights, pristine landscapes, geological wonders, and more.

The best time to visit Northern Europe really depends on how you want to explore and the attractions you wish to discover.

If you are looking to visit when temperatures are mild, then book a tour during the spring and summer months. Between April and September, you’d get to see lush green landscapes and enjoy long days, which is perfect for outdoor activities like hiking.

As well as this, the midnight sun is in full swing in certain areas such as Iceland, Northern Norway and Greenland. This is a phenomenon where the sun doesn’t set for weeks or months.

On the other hand, from around October to March, you could experience snow-dusted landscapes, wintry activities and festive traditions. The dark night skies also provide the ideal backdrop for spotting the northern lights.

Check out these travel styles for seasonal tour ideas:

• • Summer tours in Northern Europe
• • Winter trips in Northern Europe
• • Northern lights packages in Northern Europe
• • Christmas tours in Northern Europe
   

Aurora borealis activity is strongest closer to the North Pole, so your best bet is to visit Iceland, Norway, Lapland and Svalbard to catch sight of the northern lights. These destinations are located within or near to the Arctic Circle, where you have a higher chance of seeing the aurora.

Occasionally you can spot them in other parts of Northern Europe, such as Scotland. But sightings are much rarer as it’s further away from the Arctic Circle.

If you’re keen to see this natural phenomenon in Europe, then book your trip for the winter months, when the nights are long. This will give you more hours of darkness to search for the northern lights.

Read these guides for more information about the aurora borealis:

• • What are the northern lights?
• • How to see the aurora borealis
• • Best times and places to see the northern lights in Europe
   

The North is made up of many distinctive countries and cultures, and there are plenty of ways to experience them. The best way to travel depends on what you want to do and how flexible you’d like the tours to be.

Self-drive packages of Northern Europe are very popular as they let you set the pace and travel further for excursions, attractions and restaurants. You can take your time discovering top sights and explore off the beaten track.

Another excellent way to travel is with a knowledgeable guide and a small group of fellow travellers. Our escorted group tours of Northern Europe give you the opportunity to learn from a local. They’ll take you to each attraction and share their knowledge and favourite spots.

Nordic Visitor only organises small minibus tours, for a more relaxed and personal experience compared to large coach trips.

If you want something exclusive and would prefer to travel alone or with friends or family members, then choose from our private Northern Europe tours. You’ll have a local guide all to yourselves for a more personal experience.

Northern Europe independent packages combine the best of self-guided travel with escorted excursions. You’ll get to enjoy guided tours and activities with local experts, but then have free days to explore on your own.

In the Scandinavian countries, you could journey by rail on a train tour of Northern Europe, or sail the seas on a Nordic cruise package. Both are convenient ways to travel in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, with stunning views and enchanting stops along the way.

Plus, if you opt for a multi-country tour, you can discover as many as five nations in one trip. For instance, you could combine the Nordic and Scandinavian nations of Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland with Estonia, in the Baltic States.

If you want more information, contact our team and they will help you decide which travel style would suit you best.

Fortunately, if you’re arriving from North America, Australia, Japan, or New Zealand, you will not need a visa to visit Northern Europe. You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months left before it expires.

If you’re visiting from outside of these places, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter the Nordic countries. This is a short-stay visa that permits you to travel to Schengen Area member countries for up to 90 days.

The Schengen visa doesn’t apply to Scotland, the rest of the UK, or Ireland. But citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland can visit without a visa. If you’re travelling from elsewhere, you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa for Scotland and the UK, or a Short Stay ‘C’ visa for Ireland.

Yes, it’s easy to tailor your tour online. As you go through the booking steps, you can add extra nights, room upgrades and optional excursions to your itinerary. For instance, if you’re travelling to Iceland, you might like to include an extra day at the end of your trip for visiting the Blue Lagoon.

That said, if you have something more bespoke in mind, please contact your dedicated travel consultant. Just let them know what you’d like to do and where you’d like to go. From here, they’ll use their insider knowledge to create a memorable travel experience for you.

What’s more, your trip can be customised based on your interests, or we can add special touches to a honeymoon tour in Northern Europe.

Although most of the ways that you can travel with Nordic Visitor are easily tailored, it’s worth noting that small group packages are less flexible.

This is because you, and the rest of the group, will be following a fixed itinerary for the guided portion of your tour. You can still extend your stay by adding extra nights at the start or end of your trip.

Depending on the time of year you’ll be travelling to Europe, there will be a number of Nordic Visitor tours to choose from. With a range of seasonal packages and a variety of start dates, you’re sure to find an arrival date that suits you.

When you’re booking your trip online, you’ll be able to select your preferred start date from the tour’s availability calendar.

It’s a good idea to check what times and dates are available for flights upfront, but we advise holding off on buying them until your tour is booked. Once your travel consultant emails you to let you know that your trip is confirmed, you can go ahead and purchase your flights.

Your Nordic Visitor vacation package includes accommodation and a detailed, personalised itinerary. Waiting until we have made these arrangements means that you can select the flights that work best for your tour. Plus, if you have any questions you can ask your dedicated consultant for advice.

When you visit Northern Europe, not only will you be exploring captivating new cities, but you’ll also be heading out into the countryside. So it’s best to be prepared for changeable weather, no matter when you’re travelling in Europe.

These are our recommendations for what to bring with you on your tour:

• Walking boots or shoes with good grip
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Insulated jacket
• Woollen or fleece jumpers
• Thermal base layers
• Warm hat, scarf and gloves
• Warm hiking socks
• Rucksack
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Quick-drying travel towel
• Sunscreen and insect repellent in the summer months
• Insulated coat and thick layers in the winter months
   

Check out these destination guides for tips and advice on what you should pack for your European trip:

• • Iceland packing list
• • Scotland packing list
• • Norway packing list
• • Lapland packing list
• • Ireland packing list