Denmark is filled with plenty of beauty to see around the whole country. Although we only had 5 days to spend in Copenhagen, we wanted to venture out for an overnight trip. Some possibilities on our list included Ribe, Aarhus, Odense, and Aero Island, but I was intrigued when I came across Bornholm Island. I really wanted an experience that was more immersed in nature while exploring smaller less known villages. I’m more than thrilled to share our one day adventure in Bornholm and open your eyes to more of the country.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

A Guide to Bornholm Island

In This Article
Where is Bornholm Island
Best Time to Visit
How to Get to Bornholm
Getting Around
How we Spent One Day in Bornholm

Where is Bornholm Island?

Bornholm is actually a small island located off the coast of Sweden. It’s located within the Baltic Sea and quite small at less than 600 square km. You can drive the entire perimeter in a day, however if you want to stop and enjoy the sites it’s best to have at least 3-4 days here to explore.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

The high season and popular time to visit Bornholm is from June through September. Dubbed the “Sunny Island,” the skies and Baltic Sea are filled with shades of blue during this time. The island is vibrant and bustling with visitors and activities. If you’re looking for perfect weather, water activities and more excitement, then this would be the best time to go.

The off-season however has its advantages. We were here in November and truly enjoyed having the entire island practically to ourselves. We drove for long stretches without seeing a soul. When we stopped to see the main sites, they were empty giving us full freedom to explore. Each village was practically a ghost town which felt eerie, but refreshing. However, not many restaurants were open and lodging wasn’t as widely available. We also didn’t have as much sun as we had hoped, but it made it feel more surreal. Overall, everything else made up for that and we highly recommend visiting during both for different vibes.

View of Ronne from the ferry

How to Get to Bornholm

There are several ways to get to Bornholm, but public transportation by bus and ferry was easiest. I bought a combo round trip ticket from Bornholmerbussen and it was fast and efficient. Since the site is in Danish, having a translator handy is helpful. The trip takes about 3 hours and tickets were around $60 total for all of us.

You could also take trains to Ystad Sweden, and then take the ferry from there. This option is much longer than by bus, so we opted not to try this route.

The last option would be to rent a car and drive to the ferry. We didn’t feel this made as much sense, but it could depending on your itinerary.

Getting Around the Island

There are public buses that operate around the island, but they don’t run often. We decided to rent a car since we had limited time here. If you really want to explore the off the beaten path areas, then you’ll definitely need one. There’s a Europcar right by the ferry, so it was very convenient to pickup and dropoff there during our visit. You’ll have to know how to drive a manual car since there’s no automatic cars to rent.

The roads are very smooth and easy to drive. They are clearly marked and so intuitive to navigate. Some of the villages are quite hilly and narrow, but easily manageable.

Drone view of Hasle, a small village in Bornholm

How We Spent One Day in Bornholm Island

Since we took the 6:45am bus from Copenhagen, our ferry arrived around 9:30am. We picked up our rental car right away by the ferry, and headed on our way. We didn’t have a set itinerary planned, but had a few villages in mind to explore. Since it was winter and off-season we decided to keep our exploration in the northern part of the island instead of the south.

Explore more: 5 Day Guide to Copenhagen

Allinge

We started off by driving up the left coast towards Allinge. Along the way, we stopped in a small village called Hasle. The streets were pretty deserted and there weren’t many people around at all. With it being so quiet, we thought it was a great opportunity to send the drone up to snap some aerial photos of the village. We also walked around on foot and explored a bit. The weather was quite windy and frigid, so we decided to head on our way towards our next stop.

Walking through the deserted streets of Allinge

The great thing about Bornholm is it’s very quick to get to each place. In about 15 minutes we arrived in Allinge, another beautiful village with adorable Danish style homes. On our way to the island we had eaten a light breakfast, so we were quite hungry by now.

A smokehouse on the water in Allinge

We drove to a smokehouse, but unfortunately it wasn’t open. In fact not many places were open at all. It was hard to find decent food, so we had to settle for whatever we saw open. We finally found a grocery and a small cafe nearby called Hoiers Iscafe. They had smörrebröd which was a plus, but the food was average at best. It’s definitely worth noting down if you’re here during off-season, but if not we suggest heading elsewhere.

After lunch, we parked the car and strolled around on the streets. It was pretty amazing how empty it was, allowing us to photograph the empty and charming streets. If only the weather was sunny, it would’ve been perfect! I truly enjoy having a place to ourselves sometimes. Overall the village was beautiful, with cute colorful homes and interesting pathways looping in between.

Walking towards Hammershus Castle Ruins

Hammershus Castle Ruins

There are several sites to see around Bornholm, and Hammershus is one of them. We saw several castles during our trip, and this was one of the most memorable. You must not make a trip here without seeing it. It’s truly an amazing place to explore and the scenery around is stunning.

See more: Castles in Denmark

Crossing the medieval bridge into the castle grounds

Hammershus is a medieval fortress built in the 12th century. It provided protection for the island until it was abandoned in 1743. There’s a visitor center where you can read more about the history, but we didn’t have time to stop by. From the visitor center you can also get a stunning panoramic photo of Hammershus.

View of the spooky trees from inside the castle ruins

We spent a few hours walking around the grounds of the castle. It was very drone friendly, which was perfect. With nobody around it was easy to take a lot of footage without disturbing anyone. Being the only ones exploring such a historical site was refreshing. There’s beautiful views of the Baltic Sea from several viewpoints within the ruins. It felt eerily beautiful at times, with overcast skies, crisp air, and a slight fog all around. I loved the mossy ground and spooky trees, which added to the whole experience.

Strolling through the streets of Gudhjem

Gudhjem

By now it was starting to get darker, so we decided to leave Hammershus to continue our drive to Svaneke, our final stop for the night. We drove along the north shore and first stopped at Gudhjem, a quaint little fishing village, situated up on a hill. Like the other villages, it was quite deserted. So this allowed some uninterrupted exploration of the empty streets again. I imagine it must look gorgeous in the summer with views of the blue sea!

View of the village of Svaneke through our guesthouse window

Svaneke

The last and final stop for the night was Svaneke, a very small and beautiful town in the northeastern part of the island. We chose to stay here since it’s one of the most stunning towns on the island. With colorful timbered homes, narrow windy streets, and the best views of the sea we can see why! We arrived in darkness, so unfortunately we didn’t get to see the town in daylight until the morning. But even walking through it at night is quite an experience.

The cute entrance to Svaneke Guesthouse

Where to Stay

I wanted a more local experience for lodging, so we opted for Airbnb. I came across Svaneke Guesthouse, a beautiful yellow half-timbered home tucked in on one of the most charming streets, with views of the sea from the windows. We chose the larger private room in the house, and had the entire top floor to ourselves since we were the only guests.

The Guesthouse

The room was absolutely perfect, so cozy and sufficiently warm. There were two small beds, and a larger queen sized bed. Terra adored having her own little sleeping space within a nook. There was also some cats roaming around, so if you’re allergic this might not be the place for you.

The beautiful backyard area of the guesthouse

Outside of the room is a common guest area with a fridge, dining area and some places to lounge. Terra had so much fun with the kids toys they had available. Everything was very clean and nicely stocked, including the bathroom. The house also has a cute backyard area, which would be quite lovely to hang out in the summer.

A true homemade Danish breakfast!

In the morning there’s a breakfast option for an additional cost. It included homemade bread, jams, meats with cheese, and yogurt with muesli, a truly Danish meal. Coffee, tea and hot cocoa was also served. The entire meal was so fresh and delicious, a healthy start to our day!

Talking to our host Michael was the best part of our stay here. He lives in the bottom floor of the guesthouse with his wife Lene, however she was not in town for the night. It was so intriguing to learn about life on the island, and Danish style living, as well as some history. They start their day with a nice swim in the sea, sounds like quite the charming life! It was truly a delight being hosted by such lovely people. Our entire stay was very intimate and comfortable. We plan to go back during the summer season!

See more: Places to stay in Bornholm Island

The inside of the restaurant, quite empty!

Dinner

After arriving in Bornholm, we noticed not many restaurants were open, so we were quite worried about dinner. Luckily Michael booked us a table at one of the only restaurants open in Svaneke during off-season called Svaneke Bryghus. It was actually a lovely place with beautiful rustic decor and a wide array of craft beers. There was a variety of food and great choices for kids. The meal did not come cheap, but the food was decent.

Walking to the restaurant was an experience in itself. The narrow streets were only lit by a soft glow of lanterns, and it was so quiet we heard our voices echo. This was one of those memorable travel moments that you don’t forget.

A beautiful red house by the water in Svaneke

Svaneke

With an early start and a nice homemade breakfast, we had a bit of time to explore before driving to the ferry. The area around the guesthouse is actually quite charming and makes for some wonderful photo opportunities. There are also gorgeous views from the windows all around.

The empty streets of Svaneke, I wonder what it’s like in summer?

The most charming house, love the red door!

Walking around Svaneke felt just like the other villages, deserted and absolutely amazing. As I strolled through the empty streets, there was not a soul around. Talk about instagram photo heaven! No selfies sticks hanging around, no waiting in lines for photos, it was the best! The area by the water was beautiful, with small boats docked. There were small shops, bakeries and hints of life, however mostly all closed up for now. There’s a plethora of colored half-timbered homes to see with cute windows. If you have more time we highly recommend extending your stay here to explore more.

The historical Osterlars round Church

Osterlars Church

After a morning walk around the village, we had to leave for the ferry. Since we had plans to head to Tivoli later in the day, we had to take the 10:30am ferry.

Conveniently located on the way there is Osterlars Round Church. It’s one of the other popular sites to see on the island, and dates all the way back to the 1100’s. You can go inside, however we only had time to briefly walk around the outside. It’s an adorable and beautiful church with gorgeous gardens surrounding it. With another overcast day, the slight mist made it feel slightly mysterious. Around the island are three other round churches to see as well, so you can definitely make a tour out of it!

The grounds around the church had gorgeous gardens!

As you can see, there’s so much more to Denmark beyond Copenhagen. We hope this opened your eyes to add Bornholm Island to your list of places to explore. It’s a beautiful, utopian island with a rich history, refreshing nature, interesting architecture and quaint fairytale villages. What more could you want?

What’s the most stunning island you’ve been to? We’d love to hear in the comments!

Show us some love and save for later!

The post Bornholm Island is Out-of-this-World Delightful appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

Denmark has no shortage of beautiful places to see. From bustling cities, to historical villages, and idyllic islands, it truly is quite a fascinating country. I must admit, I have loved castles since I was a child, so I was ecstatic about exploring them here. Terra was wondering if she’d find a princess there. Copenhagen has several of their own castles and palaces, but there’s also a plethora to see throughout the country. Here’s a list of 5 castles in Denmark that will leave you in awe. We were able to explore these during our 5 day Copenhagen getaway.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

5 Must-See Castles in Denmark

Inside one of the reception rooms at Christiansborg Palace

1. Christiansborg Palace

One of our first stops after arriving in Copenhagen was Christiansborg Palace. It was tricky finding the entrance as we noticed some construction going on, but totally worth the effort. With limited time, we purchased tickets only for the Royal Reception rooms, but there’s still more to see here. Before taking a tour, you’ll be asked to put on some blue foot coverings in an effort to keep the floors clean.

The Queen’s Library at Christiansborg Palace

Part of the palace is still being used by the Royal Family for events, so it was quite interesting to imagine how that must be. Every room we explored was stunning and exquisite. The furniture, patterns, and ornamental details were just incredible to see up close. We loved the Great Hall, the floors and rich tapestries were quite a sight to see. The Queen’s Library also stood out with all the books on display and gold adornments shining through.

One of the Christmas table displays at Christiansborg Palace

On temporary display were the Christmas tables, inspired by Danish royal history through the years. They were presented in a way that brought you back to how it must have looked in the various eras. A nice bonus for being here around the holidays!

It’s definitely worth exploring for a few hours. You can easily spend a day checking out the full combined tour. If you want to plan ahead you can book a private walking tour here which includes other sites around the city as well. They are closed on Monday so please plan accordingly. You will love seeing a slice of Danish history!

Website
Plan your visit
Cost: 215DKK for Palace Ticket, 140DKK for Royal Reception Rooms, and 80DKK each for Royal Kitchen, Ruins and Royal Stables. 18 and under are free.
Address: Prins Jørgens Gård 1, 1468 København, Denmark

The stunning Amalienborg Palace

2. Amalienborg Palace

The Royal Family currently resides at Amalienborg Palace, so it’s not open to the public. However there’s a museum open during certain days in which you can see certain interiors and rooms from throughout history. We did not visit that part, but we did experience the beautiful view of the outside.

Changing of the guards at Amalienborg, cool experience!

The changing of the guards happens around 12pm everyday. It’s quite an affair to see and we were lucky to be in the area to stumble upon it. During parts of the event, you can get some cool closeup photos. It was amusing watching the crowds following the flow of the guards to get an opportune shot. When the royal family is in residence there’s music to see as well. The palace itself is stunning and definitely worth a look.

Website
Plan your visit
Museum Cost: 125DKK, 18 and under are free
Address: 1257 Copenhagen K

Beautiful view of Rosenborg Castle from the gardens

3. Rosenborg Castle

A treasure of history, Rosenborg Castle is another stunning castle in Copenhagen. Unfortunately we did not tour the inside, but you can see some of the interiors like the Knights’ Hall, and check out the crown jewels of the Danish royal family. You can truly experience the space as the king lived it, with well-preserved artifacts.

Imagine how beautiful this garden must look in the spring!

Around the castle is the Kings Garden, a beautifully landscaped park that is open to the public. With stunning views of the castle, it’s a great place to unwind and relax a bit. It’s best viewed when everything is in bloom, but we loved the unique towering trees along the paths.

Website + Info
Plan your visit
Cost: 140DKK, 18 and under are free
Address: Øster Voldgade 4A 1350 København K

Magical sunset view of the castle

4. Frederiksborg Castle

Located in the quaint town of Hillerød, Frederiksborg Castle is easily one of the most stunning to see in Denmark. If you must choose only one place to go on a day trip, do not miss this one. The Renaissance details are classically beautiful and we highly recommend taking the time to explore the inside. Even the quiet walk to the castle is lovely, and the picturesque lake with ducks swimming around makes it feel even more like a fairytale.

The gold adorned chapel inside the castle

The ornate hallway to the Audience Chamber

Some of the main highlights of the castle included the Chapel, adorned with golds, and the Audience Chamber which was quite the artful masterpiece. We also enjoyed the Great Hall with a special exhibit showcasing the history of Crown Prince Frederik. Going from room to room will take you on a journey through royal Danish history, and the experience is surreal. You truly need a whole day here to get a full glimpse of the details.

The beautifully manicured gardens during winter

After a tour of the inside you can check out the gardens behind the castle. I imagine in the spring and summer it’s quite beautiful with everything in bloom. We noticed a path of tall trees similar to the Kings Garden at Rosenborg. Overall the garden felt very romantic and whimsical with perfectly manicured bushes.

Although we paced ourselves and spent most of our time here, we would have loved to see more! You can do a full day combo tour of Frederiksborg, Kronborg, and Roskilde, a perfect option for history and architecture lovers!

Website
Plan your visit
Cost: 115DKK (Adults), 18 and under are free
Address: Frederiksborg Slot 10, 3400 Hillerød, Denmark
How to Get Here: S-train line E to Hillerød, walk 20 minutes to the castle. The path is well marked and easy to follow.

An aerial shot of the entire castle ruins

5. Hammershus Castle Ruins

Nestled on a cliff on the northern tip of Bornholm is Hammershus, a medieval castle left in ruins. It used to be a form of protection for the island by the Archbishop of Lund during the middle ages, until it was abandoned in the 1700’s.

View of the Baltic Sea from the castle cliff

Exploring within the castle ruins

Surrounding the castle are beautiful lakes, forests and views of the Baltic Sea. It felt quite magnificent standing within the crumbling, fortified walls looking over the seaside cliffs. There was a surreal eerie feeling while exploring here, with ghostly trees and mossy grass all around. If you go during off-season you may find yourself to be the only one here.

A panoramic view of the castle ruins as you enter the vicinity

There’s a nice visitor center nearby with panoramic views of the ruins. We didn’t have time to explore inside here, but there’s a cafe and info about the history of the castle.

Explore more: Weekend Guide to Bornholm Island

Website + Info
Cost: Free, other than parking fees from Spring-Fall
Address: Langebjergvej 26, Hammershus 3770 Allinge

These are just five of many castles in Denmark to explore. A few others that we missed during this trip are Kronborg Castle, Egeskov Castle, and Rosenholm Castle. See more castles to visit there.

Have you ever been to any castles in Denmark? If so, we’d love to hear more!

Show us some love and pin for later!

The post 5 Magical Castles in Denmark For Your Bucket List appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

I had heard great things about Copenhagen, but it was not on our immediate radar of places to visit. We had just returned from our trip to Morocco, and had a bit of withdrawal, so I kept thinking about where we could go next. Since we didn’t have many vacation days left, we had to focus on one main city instead of an entire country. Ironically not long after, a kids fly free deal for Scandinavian Airlines caught my attention. With Copenhagen being one of the options of places to go, we thought why not? We chose to go over Thanksgiving holiday to gain a few extra days. I’m now delighted to have made such a spur of the moment decision.

We had 5 full days in Copenhagen, not counting travel time. Our style is to pack it all in, so I had high hopes to see everything. It didn’t go fully as planned so I’m going to share our actual itinerary of what we realistically were able to do given energy level and travel with a toddler.

Our short time here also included a brief escape to Bornholm, a little island that is geographically closer to Sweden, but still a part of Denmark. You can choose to either include this or not, and we will also give suggestions on alternate options instead. It truly was a highlight and something we’d like to explore deeper on a return trip.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

What to Do in Copenhagen: 5 Day Itinerary

In This Article
When to Go to Copenhagen
Is the Copenhagen Card Worth It?
Christiansborg Palace, Walking Tour, and Christmas Markets
Bornholm Island
Tivoli Gardens
Frederiksborg Castle
Walking Tour and Danish Christmas Lunch
Head Back Home

When to Go to Copenhagen

Deciding when to go to Copenhagen depends on the type of experience you want to have. If you’re into doing more outdoors, visiting Legoland and having a full range of activities then visiting during Spring or Summer is best. Definitely go during Fall or Winter if you prefer less crowds. If you want the full festive holiday experience, visiting during November or December is ideal.

We happened to be there towards end of November and absolutely loved being able to see all the Christmas markets and experience the cozy hygge feeling everywhere. It was also magical being able to see Christmas at Tivoli, an experience everyone should have at least once. Overall, anytime is great to visit Copenhagen, or better yet go back during a different season and have a completely different trip.

Exploring the streets in the central part of the city

Is the Copenhagen Card Worth It?

I had heard of the Copenhagen Card for tourists, but wasn’t sure if it was worth buying. After calculating the actual sites we had planned to see with our time, we decided not to get one. Unless you plan to pack in a lot of sites, it may be cheaper not to buy one. Since most of our days were spent walking and exploring, it wasn’t cost-efficient for us. They have a handy calculator on their site, however I did the math on my own based on looking up all the individual costs.

The card is only worth it if you plan to pack in a lot of places per day. However, there are things that can go wrong or happen during the trip. Alternatively, you may want to purchase a 24 hour all zone ticket or Citypass, which you can find more info about here.

An archway on the way to Christiansborg Palace

Day 1: Christiansborg Palace, Walking Tour, and Christmas Markets

This itinerary works well for those who arrive in Copenhagen in the early morning. Getting through immigration was very quick. It was pretty easy to figure out the train into the city. We had a full day ahead to explore, however we were exhausted from travel and running on very little sleep, so our energy was limited. Our hotel check-in was not until 3pm, but we headed there first to place our luggage in the lockers available there.

I had kept the day pretty open, but listed areas of interest to see. You can choose to follow this, or alter to your liking. Instead of strictly following the list, we decided to just start walking and see where it would take us.

Local Tour
Exploring with a local is the best way to experience a new place. This Copenhagen Welcome Tour is the perfect introduction to the city so you can explore with confidence on your own.

The outside of Next Door Cafe

Breakfast/Brunch

I searched on Yelp for some nearby cafes since we were pretty hungry and found one called Next Door Cafe, located in the Indre By neighborhood. It got great reviews, so we decided to give it a try.

The cozy ambiance of Next Door Cafe

The cafe looked so cute from the outside, and the owners were so friendly and welcoming. We also loved how casual it was. You’ll feel so comfortable in the dimly lit interior. We ordered an omelet and pancakes and both were so delicious. It was quite small and cozy and never got too crowded while we were there, perhaps because it was a weekday. Definitely a nice introduction to Denmark, we highly recommend it as a breakfast/brunch option while here.

Inside one of the reception rooms at Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace

After eating we decided to head to Christiansborg Palace. With a 10am opening time, it was perfect timing to explore for a few hours then move onto other sites. We opted to see the Royal Reception rooms to keep more of the day open for other things. Our total time here was around 1-2 hours, so allow at least that to explore.

Terra with foot coverings at the top of the stairs

Royal Reception Rooms

Before starting your tour, you’ll have to put on foot coverings to keep the floors clean. The entire palace on the inside is beautiful, and there were special Christmas tables on display since it was the holiday season. I absolutely love palaces and castles, so it was quite a delight seeing the exquisite and ornate interiors. The decor was so rich and elegant, with incredible detail!

The Queen’s Library at Christiansborg Palace

One of my favorite rooms was the Queen’s Library, which contains a private collection of books. It was so gold and luxurious, with beautiful blue furniture accents. Terra especially loved the Throne Room and kept asking where can she find the queen! The Dining Hall was also quite interesting, I can’t imagine how cool it would be to be part of such a grand dinner!

Upon exiting you’ll remove the foot coverings. There’s also a souvenir shop if you’re interested in grabbing some things. It’s definitely worth the visit and so lovely seeing a part of Danish history!

The entrance to the Christmas Market at Højbro Plads

Walking Tour: Kongens Nytorv, Amagertorv, Strøget, Indre By

Højbro Plads

Once we finished touring the castle, we walked over the Højbro Plads which was literally right across the street. You can easily spot it by the large Absalon equestrian statue displayed right in the entrance. We stumbled upon the holiday market here, which was such a nice surprise! There were a lot of cute shops, with wonderful smells of food and sweets in the air. We stopped to try a sausage and it was so delicious! It was one of our must-try foods here and a perfect opportunity to grab a snack!

See a full list: Copenhagen Christmas Market Guide.

The heart of Strøget welcomed by the Stork Fountain

Amagertorv

Next to Højbro Plads is Amagertorv also known as Amalger Square. At the entrance is the famous Stork Fountain, a lovely photo opportunity. This is the heart of Strøget, the famous shopping street and one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe. We walked and explored a great deal of it, and noticed a mixture of both budget and luxury shops. Due to limited time here we decided not to shop much, but there was a lot to see. We definitely made sure to stop at Flying Tiger Copenhagen, since we fell in love with the store in NYC.

Walking along Strøget street

Strøget

During our stroll along Strøget, we also stopped at Lagkagehuset for a kanelsnegle, the Danish version of a cinnamon roll. Such buttery and cinnamon goodness! Here’s a list of more great bakeries to check out while in Copenhagen.

We walked until we finally reached City Hall, and stopped by the Dragon Fountain for some photos. While exploring we also walked past Tivoli and it was nice to see the holiday decor during the day. Since we had plans to spend the day here later in our trip, it was nice to get a view of it during daytime hours.

Torvehallerne Food Hall

What to Eat: Lunch

Torvehallerne is a treasure trove of great eats in Copenhagen. There’s so much to choose from and you can even grab some edible souvenirs to bring back home. It consists of two separate halls and in the center is an outdoor market with fresh produce and other items.

Hallernes Smørrebrød in Torvehallerne Food Hall

With a plethora of options, it was tough deciding what to eat. In the end we chose Hallernes Smørrebrød and grabbed a few options of smørrebrød to share. We wanted to at least try it once, so this was our chance. Another place worth trying here is Grød, for some delicious Danish porridge. We also noticed a smoothie place with healthy options.

Check in area at Steelhouse

Hotel Check-In: Steelhouse Copenhagen

Let’s be honest, hotel accommodation in Copenhagen isn’t cheap, so we chose a hostel option. But after our stay at Steelhouse Copenhagen, I must say, the hostels here are a great choice, and have everything you need. They had lockers for storage, laundry facilities, a kitchen, several lounge areas and just an overall community vibe. There were snacks and drinks available for purchase, which was very convenient as we headed out for a fully packed day.

Our small but functional room at Steelhouse

We booked the twin room for 4 people. It was still quite small, but perfect for what we needed. The beds were surprisingly very comfortable and cozy, and the shower was always hot and functional with plenty of towels provided. We truly enjoyed our stay here and you’ll find it to be a great economical choice during your visit.

Once we checked in, we decided to take a moment to rest. We probably could have squeezed in another neighborhood to check out, but with sunset starting before 4pm, we didn’t have much daylight left. Taking a moment to recharge is just what you need sometimes!

See more: Hotels in Copenhagen

The Christmas market at Nyhavn

Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv Christmas Markets

It was our top priority to see all the Christmas markets during our visit, especially since they are seasonal. Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv are two of the bigger markets located conveniently next to each other. We hadn’t actually seen Nyhavn yet, so we decided to head there first. It was quite easy to get to, just a few stops from our hostel and a 5 minute walk from the station.

Beautiful holiday decor along Nyhavn canal

Nyhavn Christmas Market

The market at Nyhavn was absolutely beautiful. You’ll be in awe from all of the lights, adorable festive shops, and smells of spices in the air. The restaurants along the canal were all adorned with holiday decor. The hygge feeling was definitely alive here! There were blankets, table lamps and fires going in the outdoor seating areas of the eateries. We tried gløgg for the first time, which is a mulled red wine served with spices, raisins, and sliced almonds. All the goodies at the bottom soaked up all the flavors and it was such a treat! Seeing all the holiday lights reflected on the water was a heartwarming sight.

The entrance to Kongens Nytorv Christmas market

Delicious mini dutch pancakes

Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market

Kongens Nytorv also called the King’s Square, is one of the main areas in the city. The stunning D’Angleterre Hotel and the equestrian statue of Christian V are situated here. There’s also a plentitude of shops and street foods to try. We decided to have dinner here and munched on some Pork Goulash and pommes frites, along with mini pancakes topped with nutella for dessert. It was all warm and hearty, perfect for a cold winter night.

The village of Allinge in Bornholm Island

Day 2: Bornholm Island

Where to Stay

I wanted to see an area beyond Copenhagen even though we had such little time in Denmark. Some possible options were Aarhus, Odense, Aero Island or Bornholm. I instinctively went with Bornholm and wow what a discovery. I had never heard of this island before, but found it through travel research. Since it was off season there weren’t many hotels open, so we opted for Airbnb called Svaneke Guesthaus.

The backyard area of Svaneke Guesthouse

The guesthouse was such a delight and the owners treated us like family. We had a private room within the top floor of the house with access to a common guest area. Since nobody else was there we had this all to ourselves.

How to Get to Bornholm

Getting here was fairly easy, but took a bit of work and research. The ferry is located in Ystad, Sweden. You can either rent a car and drive, take the train, or do a bus/ferry combo which we found to be the easiest option. I booked the tickets in advance through Bornholmerbussen. The site is in Danish, so you may need to use a translator. The bus leaves from directly in front of Copenhagen Hotel Plaza. To maximize time go with the 6:45am departure, with arrival to the island around 9:30am.

Getting Around

In order to get around the island you’ll need a car. There are buses, but they don’t come often and it will limit your schedule. We had a great experience with Europcar, located right by the ferry port in Rønne. There are only manual cars available though, so if you need automatic you’ll have to rent elsewhere.

Things to Do

The island is quite small and you can drive the perimeter in about 3-4 hours. Dubbed the “Sunny Island” it’s typically very sunny, however we experienced overcast skies during our stay. Since we only had a day here, we chose just a few select sites and saved the rest for another trip.

Hammershus Castle Ruins in Bornholm

There are villages on the water around the perimeter of the island, with some sites in the middle. For this trip we focused on the northern part of the island, since the south is more known for its beaches. During our short stay, we stopped at Allinge, Gudhjem, Hammershus Castle Ruins, Osterlars Round Church and Svaneke. In order to enjoy the island in its entirety you need at least 3-4 nights here. We plan to go back during summer for a longer trip.

The salad bar at Svaneke Bryghus

Dinner

Since it was off-season there weren’t many restaurants open. Our guesthouse hosts kindly offered to book us a table at Svaneke Bryghus, conveniently located near our airbnb. It was a nice stroll through the village to get there and allowed us to see the main square. They had a great selection of food to choose from and every entree included the salad bar, with fresh and healthy options. With it being a microbrewery, there was a fantastic array of craft beers available. The food was pricey, but delicious. It’s definitely a solid option in this area.

Explore more: Getaway Guide to Bornholm Island

Alternate Option
If you choose not to visit Bornholm, you can spend another day touring Copenhagen. You can explore Norrebro and check out Assistens Cemetary, Superkilen Park and admire the beautiful facades. For other day trip options, you can explore Roskilde, Odense, Egeskov Castle, Møns Klint, or a guided tour of Lund and Malmo, Sweden. See more: Things to do in Copenhagen

Strolling around the village of Svaneke

Osterlars Round Church in Bornholm

Day 3: Travel Back to Copenhagen + Tivoli Gardens

Before taking the ferry we had time explore Svaneke and take some photos. We also stopped at Osterlars Round Church since it was on the drive back to Rønne. We then took the same ferry and bus back to Copenhagen. They run only every four hours, so with plans for Tivoli later in the day the 10:30am ferry is the best option. This will get you back to Copenhagen around 1:30pm with time for lunch and relaxation. For more photos and info on our Bornholm getaway, check out our mini guide to Bornholm Island.

Hotel Check-In: Urban House Copenhagen

I typically like to book at least a few different places to stay during our trips. For the remainder of our trip I chose Urban House Copenhagen, another hip hostel with an excellent location. It was about a 3 minute walk to Copenhagen Central Station, a hub that allowed us ease of travel in the city and beyond.

It was a lot more lively and busy here. They had lockers for storage and a digital check-in process. We also spotted a bar here with a few food options for both breakfast and dinner along with some snacks and drinks for purchase.

Our spacious room at Urban House Copenhagen

The room was quite large, and we had 4 bunk beds along with a double bed. It was nice to spread out and have some extra space with a longer stay. We noticed plenty of towels available and everything was very clean.

The outside of Mother restaurant

Lunch

After a brief search for food near the hostel I found Mother, about a 10 minute walk away. When we arrived it was slightly crowded, but not too bad. There was a lunch buffet happening with an hour left to go, so we got there just in time.

A plateful of delicious food at Mother

If you love Italian food like me, then you’ll be in heaven here. There was pizza and several other Italian dishes and salads, as well as cheese with various bread and baked goods. We tried a little bit of everything and we loved the salads the most. Being used to amazing pizza in NYC, we weren’t too impressed with it. It was definitely pricey for what we got, so if you’re in the area it’s worth a try, but don’t make a special trip for it.

The beautiful holiday vibes at Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens

A trip to Copenhagen isn’t complete without visiting Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. It’s also inspiration for Walt Disney World, another classic theme park for people of all ages. We were lucky to experience Christmas at Tivoli, a magical and incredible experience you must have at least once in your lifetime.

If you have a Tivoli card, the entrance fee is free, however you’ll still have to pay for rides. If you’re going to ride more than 3-4 rides then definitely go with the Unlimited Ride Pass. They also have a Companion pass for those who are just riding with younger children not able to ride on their own.

The charming carousel at Tivoli

The lines into the park were not too long, in fact it took no more than 10 minutes to get in. Once inside it was pretty crowded, but we were still able to move around comfortably. Certain rides had a longer wait time than others, specifically the Balloon ride and the Carousel.

Dragon boats surrounded by magical holiday decor

Holiday Vibes All Around

The decor was absolutely stunning and it felt like a winter wonderland. We loved browsing the Christmas markets, and there was plenty of glogg, hot cocoa, and food available for purchase. The Christmas tree was stunning and we even saw a train moving around it. Terra was in awe with all the lights and festive feel in the air.

Explore more: Christmas at Tivoli Gardens.

The merry atmosphere inside Groften

Dinner

In order to have a break from the cold I booked a table at Grøften well in advance. I was excited to try the traditional Danish fare served here. The entrance was quite lovely and adorned with holiday decor. We were welcomed with a warm greeting and seated in a more quiet area of the Mellemhaven section, which I had chosen while booking.

Christmas Rice pudding dessert topped with cherries

I absolutely loved the vibe inside, there were Christmas balloons hanging from the ceiling filled with little animals. The area was lit mostly by candles and holiday lights. We definitely felt the hygge with sounds of laughter, joy and chatter. Service was fantastic and the food was quite delicious. We noticed a traditional Christmas menu available, but since we had one booked for the following day we chose other options. Definitely make sure to try the traditional Danish dessert, rice pudding with cherries (so delicious!) Our time here was truly warm and enjoyable and we highly recommend it while you’re at Tivoli.

The grand entrance to Frederiksborg Castle

Day 4: Frederiksborg Castle

We decided to sleep in and recharge for a busy day ahead. This meant that we only had time to see Frederiksborg Castle, located in the charming town of Hillerød. We grabbed some breakfast at the 7-11 in the station before boarding the train. They are quite different in Denmark compared to America. Who know 7-11 could have such healthy and delicious options? We practically lived on the yogurts and bread for breakfast everyday.

The quaint stroll through Hillerød on the way to the castle

Getting to Frederiksborg

We purchased an All Day Zone pass from the red billeter machine in Copenhagen Central Station. It’s under the Tourist option on the screen. You then take the S-Train to Hillerød, which runs every 10 minutes or so. The train ride there is about 45 minutes with a 20 minute walk to the castle. You should definitely take time to walk through the village as it’s quite beautiful, and allows you to see another part of Denmark.

Optional Add-On
If you decide to leave earlier in the morning you can also go to Louisiana Museum, a gorgeous modern art museum located on the coast. Or you could choose to do a Copenhagen Day Tour which includes Roskilde, Frederiksborg and Kronborg Castle.

The cute Christmas market in Hillerød

Hillerød

During our stroll through Hillerød we stumbled upon a small Christmas market. The gorgeous castle was a lovely backdrop behind the picturesque stalls. The buildings were all so cute and quaint. It was definitely a nice quiet break from the city. In the same square was an adorable windmill, with various shops and restaurants surrounding. We perused the market for a bit before heading on our way.

The Castle

Frederiksborg Castle was built by King Christian IV in the 17th century. It has since been restored after suffering from a fire in 1859. The Renaissance charm definitely shined through here.

The beautiful walk along the lake

We walked along a serene lake filled with ducks as we approached the castle. It was seriously straight out of a fairytale! The path was lined with willow trees and the castle occasionally peeked through as you got closer. When we finally reached the entrance we were in awe! It was truly magnificent and quite a sight to see.

Because we woke up late we didn’t have much time to ohh and ahh at everything. The entrance was quite grand and in the front was a large fountain. We didn’t spent too much time outside since we were dying to take a tour of the inside, but there’s much to explore here.

The stunning and intricate chapel inside the castle

Museum of Natural History

The Museum tour depicts 500 years of Danish history through furniture, art, portraits and paintings. We were enamored with how elaborate and detailed each room was. It truly showed the ever-changing styles throughout the years and made us feel as if we we in that era. You’ll love seeing how royalty lived throughout history.

One of my favorite rooms was Chapel, overflowing with gold details and natural light. We must have spent at least 20 minutes in this room exploring and gawking at all its glory. I especially loved seeing the organ and piano up close, both located on each end. You’ll fall in love with every inch of this space.

The ornate Audience Chamber inside the castle tour

Audience Chamber

The Audience Chamber was another highlight. We walked through a beautiful hallway to get there. I was in awe over the gorgeous stucco ceiling covered with paintings, and the grand chandelier. Even the furniture complemented nicely in the space, every detail was considered during restoration.

You should definitely take an inside tour of the castle and get a feel for Danish history. It was fascinating to get a glimpse of how life was during these years, and what it must have been like to live there.

Stunning view of the castle at sunset taken from the gardens

Castle Gardens

We toured the gardens surrounding the castle last, since the inside was only open until 3pm. It was perfect timing because sunset was starting and it meant for magical fairytale views of the castle. What better than to see a glorious castle at sunset? I took this pretty seriously and spent quite a bit of time getting some shots of this prime moment.

Terra posing in the gardens behind the castle

Since it was winter we didn’t see the garden in full bloom, but it was still very beautiful. You should at least take a brief tour here after seeing the inside. You can also exit here to head back to the train station.

See more: Magical Castles in Denmark

Dinner

We had grand plans for dinner, but they never actually happened. You see I wanted to check out Reffen Street Food, but I guess I should have researched more deeply on their opening hours.

The deserted entrance to Reffen Street Food

Reffen Street Food

We actually travelled all the way there and knew something was up when the area was rather deserted. I was slightly creeped out walking through darkness and industrial warehouses (something I would never attempt in NYC!) When we finally got there, we saw deserted food booths, holiday lights, picnic tables, and a huge sign that said Reffen. It looked extremely cool and we were bummed to have missed it. Definitely check it out and pay attention to their hours! I later learned that they close at 6pm on Sunday, and we got there around 7pm, oops!

We noticed something at the bus stop that made us smile through all the disappointment. There was a box with a sign that said “Leftover bread, take some home!” It showed just how truly kind and trusting the Danish are. I definitely wouldn’t touch that bread if I saw that locally.

After our planned dinner fail, I must admit when we got back to Urban House, laziness set in. So we decided to eat right at our hostel. Ironic considering I was hesitant to even go out for dinner, ha!

The view from the top of the Round Tower

Day 5: Walking Tour and Danish Christmas Lunch

Being the last day in Copenhagen I wanted to maximize all that we could see. I knew we couldn’t fit everything on the list, but that just means we save more for another trip! We explored most of the main sites in the city center and they were all conveniently close to each other.

The long spiral walk up to the top of the Round Tower

Round Tower

The first stop on our tour was the Round Tower during the walking tour, also known as Rundetaarn. It’s one of the oldest functioning observatories in Europe and was built in the 17th century. We walked the long spiral path to the top, which made for some cool photos. When we finally reached the top, it made for an incredible 360 degree view of the city. It was nice to see the city waking up to the morning light.

The view of the outside of Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Castle

Once we finished at the Round Tower, we walked about ten minutes straight over to Rosenborg Castle. We couldn’t go inside since it’s closed on Monday. Exploring the Kings Garden and seeing it from the outside is still worth it. I imagine the gardens are not as lush as it is during spring and summer, but it was still a delight to see. The outside of the castle itself is a beauty!

The adorable windmill at Kastellet

Kastellet

After we finished exploring Rosenborg, we walked back to Nørreport station and took the train to Østerport station. Nearby is Kastellet located about 5 minutes from the station. We only had time to explore the parks around the windmill. It was a nice and peaceful stroll with beautiful views. If you have more time here you should definitely walk up to the windmill and explore the barracks.

The changing of the guards at Amalienborg Palace

Amalienborg Palace

It took ten minutes to get to Amalienborg Palace from Kastellet. We made it just in time for the changing of the guards, which typically occurs around 12pm. It was quite funny to see a crowd of people following the guards around in hopes to get a great shot. I hadn’t originally planned on seeing this event, but it was a happy accident. It makes for some lovely photo opportunities and a unique experience!

Classic view of Nyhavn canal

Nyhavn

On our first day in Copenhagen we had seen Nyhavn at night, but still had hopes to see it during the day. We decided to walk there from the palace. We spent around 30 minutes browsing and shopping for a few souvenirs, then took some photos of the classic view. As many photos I’ve seen of this place, it’s quite amazing to see in person. The colorful building facades reflected so beautifully on the water and we loved seeing all the ships docked here.

One last stop at the Kongens Nytorv holiday market

Lunch

By now we were pretty hungry, but wanted something quick and convenient. We walked over to Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market for some hotdogs and waffles. Coming back here allowed us to browse a bit more and grab some last minute souvenirs. It may have been our second visit here, but I never get tired of the Christmas markets!

The entrance gate to Freetown Christiania

Freetown Christiania

With the sun setting so early, we could only fit in one more area. We chose to see Freetown Christiania since it was vastly different from everything else we’ve seen so far. It took about 15 minutes to get to by bus from Kongens Nytorv area. From there we had to walk into the complex to explore by foot.

Colorful buildings inside the commune

Freetown Christiania is essentially a vibrant hippie community bursting with creativity. It contains unique houses filled with funky art, graffiti and self expression. We noticed a lot of cafes and galleries, and even a horse stable. I’m quite fascinated by the alternative culture of it and the concept of “free rule.” The 900 or so people who live here don’t have to pay taxes and are essentially self-sufficient. It’s a car-free zone, so bikes or walking is a must.

No Photos Allowed

“Pusher Street,” is a famous area within known for it’s sale of hash. We were told “no photos” at the entrance, so I have none to show from here. But it will definitely live on in my memory. We walked past the vendors selling various marijuana products with our toddler in tow. The street was also lined with bright red lanterns, flags, and surrounded by bright urban art.

Street art was everywhere within Christiania

We were amazed to take a brief tour of this place and witness a small community of people thriving on their own. We felt some creepy vibes at times with handwritten messages on wooden boards, decrepit structures, and rustic pathways. I appreciated all the art and creativity here, you can tell the residents have a certain pride here. I’m not sure I would explore it at night, but it seemed most lively in late afternoon.

The cozy holiday interior of Kronborg restaurant

Danish Christmas Lunch

Julefrokost also known as Danish Christmas Lunch is an elaborate party celebrated by either friends, colleagues or family. Although it’s called lunch, it’s technically more so a dinner. There is a lot of talking, laughing, eating and drinking like most parties. Sometimes it ends in dancing and games. I booked this experience at Restaurant Kronborg with the full menu and info here. It’s one of the highly rated restaurants for this event, so it doesn’t come cheap, but it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

One of the first dishes was herring served three different ways

Breads and Fish

We were truly looking forward to this holiday celebration. The affair consisted of many small plates of traditional Danish food. We first had bread with butter and duck lard. We were then served our first course of fish consisting of 3 different types of pickled herring, followed by fried fish, and smoked salmon with eggs. The flavors were magnificent and filled with mixtures of sweet, salty and sour.

Dish with duck and pork meats served with sides of pickles and beets

Meats

After the fish course we were served the meats. First there was duck, liver paté with bacon and mushrooms, and pan-fried pork. This was followed by pork roast and sausage with pickled cabbage and other side complements.

Cheese and Dessert

By now we were quite full, but still had a few courses left. We had various cheeses with fruits and crackers, ending with a rich dessert of rice pudding with almonds and cherry sauce. At the end of the meal the person who found the whole almond got a “prize.” It was such a joyful dining experience that lasted a few hours. Everything was delicious and I always looked forward to the next dish. If you’re in Copenhagen around the holidays, don’t miss out on this festive event.

The cheese plate served before dessert, by now we were so full!

With full and satisfied bellies, we headed back to the hostel for one final night of sleep here. The last night is always so bittersweet, reflecting on your memories there and also dreading the trip back home.

Day 6: Head Back Home

Since our flight was in the morning, we couldn’t fit in any more sites. We had an easy train ride to the airport and through immigration. There’s a lot of shops here for some last-minute souvenirs.

Posing in Magstræde street

We hope you enjoyed our 5 day guide on what to do in Copenhagen. It’s a lovely city to visit, even during the winter! The Christmas spirit is truly alive here during the holidays and made our visit so magical. We look forward to returning during summer season.

Have you ever been to Copenhagen? If so, what other things did you do?

Show us some love and pin for later!

The post The Best 5 Day Guide on What to Do in Copenhagen appeared first on Our Travel Soup.

Seeing the Northern Lights has been on my bucket list since I was a child. I dreamed of seeing the dancing colors appearing in the sky. Recently I decided I was going to make that dream come true, so I booked a full package in Lapland Finland. We stayed in Lake Inari, way up in the Arctic Circle. Spending time laying on the frozen lakes and seeing the lights in the wide open sky had to be one of the best experiences of our lives.

While doing a brief search, I came across Aurora Zone, based in the UK. They had several package options to choose from, but ultimately went with a 5 day, 4 night vacation package. Everything was included except the flights to London from NYC, and the whole holiday was centered on seeing the Aurora. This trip was just the two of us, since this was before our daughter was born, although we would love to bring her someday.

Note: We use affiliate links in this post. This helps us to continue providing great content. For more info you can read our full disclosure here.

5 Day Northern Lights Holiday in Lapland Finland

In This Article
Best Time to See the Northern Lights
What to Wear to Finland
Travel to the Nellim Wilderness Lodge
Reindeer Farm, Snowmobile, Ice Fishing, Aurora Camp
Husky Sledding, Aurora Camp, Aurora Bubble
Snowshoeing, Snowmobile to the Russian Border, Aurora Camp
Head Back Home

Best Time to See the Northern Lights

Being able to see the Northern Lights is only possible during certain months of the year. Usually between September and March is ideal. Going as far north as you can gives a better chance, which is why we chose Lapland, Finland. The winter months (December-February) have longer nights of darkness, so that also increases your chances. Either way you are truly lucky to see them and it’s a must have experience at least once in your life!

What to Wear in the Arctic Circle

Although the outer layer of winter gear will be provided, you still need to get some items for the trip. This includes merino wool under layers, warm coat, baklava, warm hat, two pairs of gloves, long wool socks, snow boots that protect against very cold temperatures, feet and hand warmers, and extra camera batteries.

The entrance to Nellim Wilderness Hotel

Day 1: Flights to Finland and Arrival at the Hotel

Accommodations

Aurora Zone took care of the entire trip, we just had to show up which was so nice! I’m used to spending countless hours researching and DIYing our trips, that it was great to have it all done for us. They chose the Nellim Wilderness Hotel for our entire stay, and we absolutely loved it. The staff and team were amazing and took care of us like family.

All Inclusive

Everything was included at the hotel: food, winter gear, and all of the activities. Food was served buffet style and was an absolute treat. You’ll enjoy the hearty cuisine, perfect after a long day out in the frigid cold.

See more: Accommodations in Lapland Finland

Travel to the Hotel

In order to get to the hotel, we had a full day of travel ahead of us. Depending on where you live, you may have to fly to London first. Since our package only included all flights to and from London, we had to purchase airfare from NYC separately. I booked our flights to London early in the event of delays. Although we had quite a long layover in the airport, at least we wouldn’t miss our flight!

The outside of the main hotel lodge and dining hall

Reindeer soup, berry juice and bread served on arrival

The dining area in the main lodge

Wild creatures decorating the walls of the lodge dining room

Arrival at Nellim Wilderness Hotel

After arriving in Helsinki, we took another smaller flight to Ivalo. Once we got to the hotel van picked us up and drove us about 30 minutes through the Finnish wilderness to get there. Traveling here is quite tiring, so you’ll enjoy the cozy ambiance and fire in the lounge area. Warm reindeer soup and berry juice is served upon welcoming. The lodge was decorated in Scandinavian style, adorned with reindeer horns and other wild creatures.

Our room was very cozy with simple decor and felt like a cabin. We truly enjoyed the heated floors in the bathroom, it felt so great to warm up after all the outdoor activities. Although it was unusually warm during our time there, it was a lot colder than we are used to. The arctic air is quite different than that in America!

Day 2: Snowmobiles, Reindeer Farm, Ice Fishing, and Aurora Camp

Breakfast

With a good night’s rest we woke up to have breakfast in the lodge. My favorite thing every morning was the waffles and jams with fresh yogurt and berries. I must have had this every day, the thin style waffles were just splendid. There was a buffet with several types of food available. They usually had cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt and waffles with various toppings. Food was definitely plentiful and there was a lot of variety to accommodate different diets.

The snowmobiles all lined up and ready to go!

Seikai all geared up and ready to ride!

Snowmobiles to a Reindeer Farm

We headed back to our room after breakfast to gear up for the outdoor activities. It takes about 10-15 minutes just to put all the gear on properly, which you’ll want to do to keep warm in the frigid cold. Our first activity for the day was snowmobiling to a reindeer farm. Before heading on our journey, we practiced and did a short lesson around the property. It’s fairly easy to do and so much fun! Along the way we drove through the Finnish wilderness, which is quite beautiful.

The reindeer roaming around the farm

The Reindeer Farm

As we arrived to the farm, we were greeted by a Sámi herder who showed us around. Being a herder is passed down generations and very important to the culture. It was interesting to learn more and see a much different way of life. His life as a herder was decided for him at birth, and he dedicates his whole life to it, which is amazing to see.

The herder feeding the reindeer

Feeding the reindeer out of my hands, so cool!

After a brief introduction he led us over to the reindeer to help feed them. Reindeer are magical creatures and also very gentle. They were a bit spooked, so it took awhile for them to eat right out of your hands. I found that kneeling down lower and holding my hands out helped.

The outside of the kota or Finnish BBQ hut

The inside of the kota, gathered around the fire

Next, he brought us inside the traditional round Finnish BBQ hut called a kota. It had seating around the perimeter with a fire in the middle. The fire made it so cozy as he served us berry juice. We warmed up around a bit and learned more about the typical day of a Sámi reindeer herder.

Getting a brief lesson on ice fishing

Seikai drilling the hole in the ice

Optional Tour
Although our package included all activities, next time we might consider DIY style. This tour is very similar to what we did with a visit to a reindeer farm by snowmobile, and also riding on a husky sled. A truly magical experience!

Ice Fishing

Our next activity was ice fishing, a daily thing for the Sámi people. The herder brought us across to a large frozen lake where we setup. After watching his demonstration of how to ice fish, and successfully catch some fish we were given the opportunity to try it ourselves. Needless to say it is very difficult to drill a deep hole and catch the fish! I can’t imagine having to do this for survival.

Gathering around the fire for lunch

In between ice fishing we gathered around a fire and had reindeer soup with berry juice for lunch. These are common to have in Finland and both so delicious. By this time the sun was already getting low in the sky as the days are still quite short. Typically this time of year it gets dark by 4:30pm. We headed back to the hotel on our snowmobiles during sunset which was beautiful to see. I’ll always remember the orange sun reflecting off the glittery snow.

The sunset on our snowmobile trip back

Leisure/Dinner Time

Typically after the day’s activities there a bit of leisure time after dinner. The food was quite hearty and will warm your body up nicely. They consisted of mostly stews, meats, potatoes and various salads. There were also desserts like cakes and fruit pastries. The dishes varied every evening, but overall it was similar cuisine. It was all very fresh and delicious and so easy just to have it all ready for us.

Aurora Hunting

Later in the evening was time to hunt for the aurora. We bundled up in our gear and got into a few larger sleighs that were pulled by snowmobiles. The sleighs had reindeer hides in them which kept us so warm. We drove across frozen lakes and through the wilderness away from any light pollution. Here we sat in the snow sitting and waiting for them to make an appearance. The hotel staff made a fire and brought hot berry juice so we could warm up occasionally. There was also a heated hut nearby that we could escape to if we felt too cold. Unfortunately this evening we didn’t see them as the cloud cover was too thick. After a few hours of waiting we headed back to the lodge.

Day 3: Husky Dog Sledding, Aurora Camp, and Aurora Bubble

Husky Sledding Expedition

One of the biggest things we were looking forward to was the husky sled expedition. As usual we had our hearty breakfast, got geared up and went out to meet the huskies. Their homes were located right on the property so we were able to just walk over to them. We didn’t get to pet them at this point as their main focus was to pull us across the wilderness.

Ready for our husky expedition!

Starting off on our journey on the husky sled

We’ve reached the frozen lake!

Each of us had four huskies per sled, one person sitting, and the other one controlling it. They pulled us for about an hour across the frozen lakes before taking a break. During the break we drank berry juice to warm up. We then headed back on another route that was a big longer. The total time was around 2.5 hours from start to finish. It was so much fun experiencing being pulled by the huskies, I imagine how rough those dog sled races must be!

Working hard to pull us across the frozen lake

Petting and playing with the huskies after the journey

After the trip we were able to pet and play with the huskies. This was their “reward” for a hard day’s work. They were so friendly and it was so nice to be able to interact with them. It seemed like they truly enjoyed it and felt proud of the work they put in. This was definitely a highlight of our trip.

A red barn we came across while exploring

Church near the hotel property

Walking back to the property through the birch trees

Dinner/Leisure Time

We got back earlier than the previous day, so you’ll have a lot of leisure time before dinner. With all the free time, we decided to take a walk around the area to explore. We came across some Finnish houses and a church and took a few photos. It was interesting to see the simple way of life way up here. There was not much around which made me realize just how secluded we were.

Aurora Camp

As usual, we head out for our nightly routine of aurora hunting. This time we went to a different spot, a bit further out and more isolated. At first we didn’t see anything so we felt discouraged. Coming all the way up here you’ll definitely hope that you see them, but it’s not always the case. An hour or so passed and we still hadn’t seen them.

The aurora finally makes an appearance!

Suddenly as we were about to head out, they made their appearance (yay!) It wasn’t as intense as I had hoped, but they were still there dancing in the sky. It was so incredible to witness this amazing natural phenomenon. We saw colors of green, pink and purple however the camera mostly captures the green. We had tripods all setup in hopes to get a great shot. They only lasted about ten minutes then faded away.

Aurora Photography Tour
If you’re planning this trip yourself, you’ll definitely want to go aurora hunting! This photography tour brings you to a few locations to see the aurora! It includes transportation, warm winter gear, headlamps, and guides to help with photos. Great for those who want a nice capture as a memory!

The aurora bubble from the outside

Our view from inside the aurora bubble

Aurora Bubble

I was quite excited about the lights showing up since I had booked the Aurora Bubble for this night. It’s essentially a round tiny house with a glass ceiling open to the sky, almost resembling an igloo. Inside there was champagne and sweets waiting for us. There was also a bathroom, but no shower. The bed was centered underneath the open ceiling and we could see every star. The aurora faintly reappeared throughout the night and we had a first row seat.

Something else that was special about this night is Seikai and I got engaged! He proposed to me under the aurora and open sky, which will always be an amazing and special memory here.

Seikai trying out snowshoeing for the first time

Day 4: Snowshoeing, Snowmobile to the Russian Border, Aurora Camp

Snowshoeing

On our last and final day in Finland we had a fully packed day. Most days started and ended early, so we had a lot to accomplish. The first activity on the agenda is showshoeing. I’ve never done it before so it took some getting used to, but it was actually quite easy to walk through the thicker snow in them. We walked quite a bit through the Finnish wilderness near the property. It was so quiet and peaceful, with the occasional wildlife in sight.

The forests that we walked through during our snowshoeing trip

The campfire lunch during our snowshoe journey

During the walk, our guide showed us various plants along the way that thrive in Finland. The reindeer usually like to feed on vegetation in the forests, but he also pointed out some salt blocks left out for them. We then camped out for a bit to eat lunch. The guide made a fire and prepared hot sausage sandwiches for us. Of course there was warm berry juice as well, which we never got tired of. It was truly refreshing being able to experience the remote forests of Finland. The air felt so crisp and clean, a strong contrast to living in NYC.

Our last snowmobile ride

Group photo at the Russian Border

Sunset view during our last ride

Russian Border

After the snowshoeing adventure we got on the snowmobiles for one last time. This trip was to head to the Russian border, an interesting attraction and a place we were all quite curious to see. When we arrived there’s essentially a large yellow sign up and a warning not to cross the border. The actual border was quite some feet away with a fence. After snapping some pics of ourselves here we headed back to the lodge for our last night.

The lights getting more intense for a moment

Aurora Camp

As usual, you’ll head out after dinner to the aurora camp to search for the northern lights. We were pretty satisfied after seeing them the previous night, but still hoping to see an even more intense show tonight. The guide will take you to the same spot by the frozen lake, far enough from all noise pollution. It took awhile, but we finally again saw the lights appear and this time even stronger than before! There’s no guarantee that you’ll see them at all during your trip, but we were pretty happy about seeing them twice!

It started to snow as we were leaving the camp. When we got back, we sat outside under the covered seating area to continue looking for the lights, however with cloud cover there was no luck. After a long and fun-filled final day we all headed to our rooms for one last night’s sleep here.

Head Back Home

The next morning you’ll have one last breakfast, then get on the shuttle bus to the airport. There’s a small souvenir shop at the main lodge with various Finnish goodies, so we grabbed a few before boarding the bus.

We truly enjoyed our stay at Nellim Wilderness Lodge in Lapland Finland. Everything was perfectly organized and we loved not having to plan anything. We highly recommend Aurora Zone for any Northern Lights holiday, as they specialize in the best locations to view them. It was truly wonderful to witness the beauty of the aurora and will definitely use this company again once we go back.

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? If so, where?

Show us some love and pin for later!

The post Lapland Finland: The Most Amazing Arctic Adventure appeared first on Our Travel Soup.