Why Copenhagen and Stockholm Should Be Your Next Adventure

Scandinavia in 10 Days:

Why Copenhagen and Stockholm Should Be Your Next Adventure

If you've ever dreamed of wandering through medieval streets, standing inside a UNESCO World Heritage castle, watching a 400-year-old warship rise from the harbor floor, or dancing along to ABBA in a Stockholm museum, this is the trip that checks every single one of those boxes.

Excite Experience’s 10-day Scandinavia tour, running June 13 to 22, 2026, takes you through the very best that Denmark and Sweden have to offer. With airfare included, 10 meals covered, local guides, and all admissions taken care of, this is Northern Europe done right without the planning headache.

Here's everything you need to know before you go.

Why Scandinavia? Why Now?

Scandinavia occupies a unique space in the traveler's imagination. It's a region where cobblestoned medieval streets sit alongside some of the world's most progressive food scenes, where royal castles are a short train ride from world-class design museums, and where June sunsets linger well past 10pm, gifting you long golden evenings to explore at your own pace.

Copenhagen and Stockholm are the twin jewels of this part of the world and they couldn't be more different from each other. Copenhagen is compact, bicycle-friendly, a little gritty in the best possible way, and obsessed with food. Stockholm is elegant, spread across 14 islands, and home to a cluster of museums on Djurgården island that rival anything in Europe. Seeing one is a great trip. Seeing both back-to-back, guided, with everything included, is something else entirely.

June is the ideal window to visit. Both cities are alive with outdoor activity, waterfront dining, and the kind of atmosphere that only exists during a Scandinavian summer. Stockholm sees close to 18 hours of daylight in mid-June, meaning you'll never feel rushed.

7 Reasons This Tour Belongs on Your Bucket List

1. You get two completely different capitals in one trip

Copenhagen is edgy, foodie-obsessed, and endlessly walkable. Stockholm is refined, island-hopping, and museum-rich. Most tours pick one. This one gives you both, and the high-speed train journey between them through southern Sweden's forests and lakes is a highlight in itself.

2. Three royal castles in a single day

Day 4 takes you north of Copenhagen to Frederiksborg Castle, Fredensborg Palace, and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kronborg Castle, the real-world setting that inspired Shakespeare's Elsinore in Hamlet. Few tours pack this much royal and literary history into one afternoon.

3. The Vasa Museum is like nothing else on earth

The Vasa Museum in Stockholm is the most visited museum in all of Scandinavia, and for good reason. It houses the world's only preserved 17th-century warship, over 98% original, salvaged from the harbor floor after spending 333 years underwater. Travelers consistently describe it as one of the most jaw-dropping experiences of their lives.

4. Guided food tours in both cities

This tour doesn't just take you near great food, it takes you inside it. In Copenhagen, a guided tour through Torvehallerne Market introduces you to smørrebrød, flødeboller, and Danish craft beer. In Stockholm, a culinary walking tour covers Swedish meatballs, cinnamon buns, and semla. Scandinavia is the birthplace of New Nordic Cuisine, and you'll experience it firsthand, guided by locals who know where to go.

5. June gives you the best version of both cities

Long daylight hours, mild temperatures between 18 and 22°C (64 to 72°F), outdoor terraces packed with locals, and canal cruises at their best. This is Scandinavia at its absolute peak.

6. The ABBA Museum is pure joy, fan or not

Whether you've loved ABBA your whole life or just know the words to Dancing Queen, the ABBA Museum in Stockholm is an interactive, immersive experience that travelers of all backgrounds consistently rank among their favorite moments of any European trip. It was built with the direct involvement of all four ABBA members, and it shows.

7. Everything is handled for you

Airfare, hotels, local guides, a canal cruise, museum admissions, and 10 meals, all included. Excite handles the logistics so you can focus entirely on the experience. Group sizes of 15 to 45 travelers mean you get a genuine group experience without the chaos of a massive tour bus.

Your Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1, Saturday June 13: Overnight Flight Your Scandinavian escape begins with an overnight flight to Copenhagen. Settle in and get ready, castles, canal cruises, and incredible food await.

Day 2, Sunday June 14: Arrive in Copenhagen Meet your local guide and dive straight in. A walking tour takes you through Copenhagen Cathedral, the historic Stock Exchange building, the legendary Tivoli Gardens, and the colorful Nyhavn waterfront. You'll then board a Canal and Harbor Cruise before gathering for your Welcome Dinner. This is one of the best first days of any European tour.

Day 3, Monday June 15: Culinary Copenhagen Today is all about food. A guided tour through Torvehallerne Market, one of Europe's finest covered food markets, introduces you to the flavors of Denmark. Taste smørrebrød (open-faced rye bread sandwiches), flødeboller (chocolate-covered marshmallow treats), and local craft beers at a brewery tasting. The evening is yours.

Day 4, Tuesday June 16: Castles of Denmark Travel north for one of the most impressive single-day excursions in all of European touring. First stop is Frederiksborg Castle, a stunning baroque palace set on a lake. Then Fredensborg Palace, the Danish royal family's spring and autumn residence. The crown jewel is Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the real inspiration for Shakespeare's Elsinore in Hamlet. Return to Copenhagen in the evening.

Day 5, Wednesday June 17: Free Day in Copenhagen Copenhagen at your own pace. Rent a bike and explore, the city is one of the most bicycle-friendly in the world. Browse the boutiques and cafés along Jægersborggade. Try for a reservation at Alchemist, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world. Or simply relax in a floating hot tub on the harbor. This day is entirely yours.

Day 6, Thursday June 18: Copenhagen to Stockholm Board a high-speed train through the landscapes of southern Sweden, forests, lakes, red wooden cottages, and arrive in Stockholm. Settle into your hotel and explore independently. Consider a visit to the famous ICEBAR, or head to Monteliusvägen for one of the best sunset views in the city.

Day 7, Friday June 19: Old Town and Viking History A guided tour of Gamla Stan, Stockholm's medieval old town, takes you through centuries of history in a remarkably preserved setting. See the Royal Palace and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Then the afternoon opens up with visits to the Viking Museum and the unmissable Vasa Museum, where a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage sits fully intact, preserved for centuries by the cold waters of the Baltic.

Day 8, Saturday June 20: ABBA Museum and Swedish Food Tour Step inside the ABBA Museum for an interactive journey through one of music's greatest stories. Original costumes, personal artifacts, and holographic performances make this an experience unlike any other museum on earth. In the afternoon, a culinary walking tour covers Swedish classics: meatballs, cinnamon buns, and semla. The evening is free to explore.

Day 9, Sunday June 21: Skansen and Farewell Dinner Spend the morning and afternoon at Skansen Open-Air Museum, the world's oldest open-air museum, where more than 150 historical buildings from across Sweden have been relocated to create a living portrait of five centuries of Scandinavian life. You'll also encounter Nordic animals including moose, brown bears, wolves, and reindeer in natural habitat enclosures. End your journey that evening with a special farewell dinner.

Day 10, Monday June 22: Departure Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel before a private transfer to Stockholm Arlanda Airport. You'll fly home carrying the stories, flavors, and memories of ten days across Northern Europe.

Top 10 Questions About This Scandinavia Tour, Answered

What is the best time of year to visit Copenhagen and Stockholm?

June is widely considered the best month to visit both cities. Mid-June brings nearly 18 hours of daylight in Stockholm, mild temperatures between 18 and 22°C (64 to 72°F), and the full bloom of the Scandinavian summer. Outdoor attractions, canal cruises, and open-air museums are at their absolute best. Tivoli Gardens and Skansen are both significantly more vibrant in summer than in any other season. The Excite tour dates of June 13 to 22 land squarely in the peak of this ideal window.

What is Kronborg Castle and why is it famous?

Kronborg Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Helsingør, Denmark, and is famous worldwide as the real-world inspiration for Elsinore Castle in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Built in the 16th century, it guarded the narrow strait between Denmark and Sweden and collected tolls from passing ships for centuries. The castle features fortified ramparts, a Renaissance chapel where weddings still take place today, and dark underground casemates said to be home to the legendary sleeping warrior Holger Danske, who according to legend will wake to defend Denmark if the country is ever in danger. The tour visits Kronborg on Day 4 as part of a full castle excursion north of Copenhagen.

What is the Vasa Museum and why is it worth visiting?

The Vasa Museum is the most visited museum in Scandinavia and houses the world's only preserved 17th-century warship. The 69-meter warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm Harbor in 1628 and spent 333 years on the seabed before being salvaged in 1961. Over 98% of the ship is original, decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures, and displayed across multiple viewing levels so you can experience it from below, alongside, and above. Travelers consistently describe it as one of the most unexpectedly moving experiences of any European trip. It is included in the itinerary on Day 7.

What is Nyhavn and why is it one of Copenhagen's most iconic sights?

Nyhavn (meaning New Harbor) is a 17th-century waterfront district in Copenhagen lined with brightly painted townhouses, historic wooden ships, and outdoor restaurants and bars. Originally a busy commercial port, it is now one of Denmark's most photographed locations. The author Hans Christian Andersen lived in Nyhavn at three different addresses during his lifetime. The tour visits Nyhavn on Day 2 as part of the Copenhagen city walking tour, and the Canal and Harbor Cruise gives you the experience from the water as well.

What is the ABBA Museum like, and do I need to be a fan to enjoy it?

You absolutely do not need to be a die-hard ABBA fan to love the ABBA Museum. Located on Djurgården island in Stockholm, the museum features original costumes, personal artifacts, and immersive holographic installations where visitors can perform alongside virtual ABBA members. Every exhibit is designed to be touched, played, and experienced rather than simply observed. The museum was created with the direct personal involvement of all four ABBA members, making it remarkably authentic. Even visitors who considered themselves casual fans at best consistently report it as a highlight of their entire trip. It is visited on Day 8.

What is Gamla Stan and what will we see there?

Gamla Stan means Old Town, and it is Stockholm's medieval city center, one of the best-preserved in all of Europe. Dating back to the 13th century, it features a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets, painted baroque buildings, and some of the city's oldest restaurants and shops. Key attractions include the Royal Palace (one of the largest palaces in the world still in active use), Stockholm Cathedral, and the Nobel Museum. The Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Royal Palace is a beloved daily tradition and a genuine spectacle. The tour includes a guided walk through Gamla Stan on Day 7.

What traditional Scandinavian foods will I get to try on this tour?

Scandinavia's food culture goes far beyond Swedish meatballs. On this tour you'll have guided opportunities to taste smørrebrød, open-faced Danish sandwiches on dark rye bread; flødeboller, chocolate-covered marshmallow treats that are a Danish classic; Danish craft beer at a local Copenhagen brewery; Swedish köttbullar (meatballs) in their authentic form; kanelbullar (cinnamon buns), Sweden's beloved daily pastry; and semla, a cardamom-spiced bun filled with whipped cream and almond paste. Copenhagen is also the birthplace of the New Nordic Cuisine movement, which transformed fine dining globally and continues to influence restaurants worldwide.

What is Skansen and what makes it unique?

Skansen is the world's oldest open-air museum, founded in 1891 on Djurgården island in Stockholm. Spanning 75 acres, it contains more than 150 historical buildings relocated from across Sweden, covering five centuries of Scandinavian life from Viking-era farmsteads to 20th-century urban apartments. Costumed artisans demonstrate traditional crafts like glassblowing, pottery, and baking throughout the site. Skansen also functions as a zoo housing native Nordic animals including moose, brown bears, wolves, reindeer, and lynx. Unlike conventional museums, Skansen invites you to step inside the buildings and experience history as something living and breathing. It is visited on Day 9 before the farewell dinner.

How physically demanding is this tour?

The Excite Scandinavia tour is rated Level 3, which means moderate difficulty. It includes comfortable walking and sightseeing across multiple days, balanced by substantial motorcoach and train travel and built-in rest time. There is no strenuous hiking or extreme physical demand. That said, some sites, particularly the castle complexes and Gamla Stan's medieval streets, feature uneven cobblestone paths, steps, and gentle inclines. Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are strongly recommended. A free day in Copenhagen on Day 5 also gives travelers the flexibility to rest or explore at their own comfortable pace. Anyone with specific mobility concerns should contact Excite directly at 402-293-9282 to discuss options.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations at Hotel SKT. Annae ApS in Copenhagen and Hotel Palais Elite in Stockholm, all transportation within the tour, including the high-speed train between the two cities, 10 meals, including daily breakfasts, plus a Welcome Dinner and Farewell Dinner, local guide service throughout, and all admissions to attractions listed in the itinerary. What is not included: gratuities, travel insurance, and any personal excursions or meals beyond those listed. For pricing and booking, call Excite at 402-293-9282 or visit excitemytravel.com/tour/scandinavia-2026.

The Bottom Line

Scandinavia is one of those destinations that stays with you long after you've returned home. The golden evening light over Nyhavn. The surreal silence inside the Vasa Museum. The sheer delight of the ABBA Museum. The smell of woodsmoke at Skansen. The weight of standing inside Hamlet's actual castle.

What makes this tour special is not just the destinations, it's the pace, the balance, and the curation. History and pop culture. Food markets and royal palaces. Ancient Viking ships and high-speed trains. It's all here, across 10 days in June, with everything taken care of.

Spots are limited to a maximum of 45 travelers. If this sounds like your kind of adventure, don't wait.

Call us at 402-293-9282 or book online at excitemytravel.com/tour/scandinavia-2026.

The North is calling.