From fjord orchards to Arctic treehouses: 9 one-of-a-kind experiences drawing travelers to Northern Europe

Northern Europe is having a moment.

From a steady uptick in popularity as a convenient retreat for Europeans escaping the sweltering heat of summer (aka “coolcations”), to Norway’s surprising takeover of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (in the competition and on social media alike), the countries that make up this region are getting more attention—and welcoming more visitors—than ever before:

• In Norway’s Arctic region, American visitor overnight stays alone more than doubled between 2022 and 2025, up 133%.
• Sweden broke its summer tourism record in 2025, welcoming 30.8 million visitors during its warmest months.
• Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland saw roughly 84 million international guests in 2025.

Once mainly a mid-summer market, the tourism season has lengthened, too, with the allure of wintry landscapes and the Northern Lights beckoning even as the weather turns frigid.

Eager to discover the appeal for yourself? Luxury custom travel designer Enchanting Travels shares these nine unique activities for your itinerary that you’ll only find in Northern Europe.

Sip fresh cider from Norway’s fjord orchards

Sip fresh cider from Norway’s fjord orchards 

Nestled along the steep mountainsides that flank the Hardangerfjord in Norway’s Sorfjorden region are some of the world’s best apples. And this 38-kilometer area produces over 40% of the country’s fruit, thanks to its warm, protected microclimate. (The produce is so good that it even comes with a protected geographical indicator, like sparkling wine from Champagne.) Traverse the fruit and cider route in Ulvik to sip your way through a variety of ciders.

Cozy up in an Arctic treehouse in Lapland

The northernmost regions of Finland, Norway, and Sweden conjure enchanting wintry scenes: snow-blanketed hills beneath a neon-hued Northern Lights display, or a crackling fire throwing light across a cozy, Scandi-style room. With a stay in an Arctic treehouse, you can experience both. Lapland stays like the Arctic TreeHouse hotel or the WonderInn Arctic offer panoramic-glass rooms, allowing you to take in the aurora borealis from a snug vantage point.

Experience a peaceful Danish badehotel  

A stay on the sea is broadly appealing, but the concept of a Danish badehotel is actually a specific facet of summer vacation—or “holiday”—culture in Denmark. With a name that literally translates to “bathing hotel,” these vintage havens have made a comeback in recent years. Standouts like the newly renovated Allinge Badehotel and the historic Helenkilde Badehotel offer serene coastal retreats, with easy access to dips in the sea and on-site locally sourced Danish fare.

Cruise the Flam Railway 

Widely considered one of the most picturesque train journeys in the world, the Flam Railway climbs a staggering 2,838 feet from the banks of the Aurlandsfjord into the snow-capped mountain plateau of Myrdal. Carving through steep ravines, tumbling waterfalls, and sheer cliff faces, this 12.4-mile ride is a highlight reel of Norway’s rugged beauty.

Unwind in a floating sauna in Oslo 

Norway’s capital city is renowned for its urban sauna culture; alongside the relaxation and health benefits, many locals use saunas to socialize and de-stress. Highlights include the TIME Magazine-recognized Trosten, with a green recycled-aluminum facade and timber amphitheater, and KOK’s sauna cruises, solar-powered floating pods that move languidly along the fjord with a personal skipper.

Follow the indigenous Sami people and their reindeer

In the northernmost regions of Finland, Sweden, and Norway, the indigenous Sami people have safeguarded a sweeping Arctic region called Sapmi for centuries. And you can explore these sacred ancestral lands alongside the Sami through exclusive, limited tours. You’ll immerse fully in their nomadic culture, following the reindeer that are integral to their way of life and learning about the customs that allow them to thrive in this rugged environment.

See puffins in the Faroe Islands 

Dotted with colorful houses and situated among towering emerald peaks, the Faroe Islands are a remote and picturesque Danish archipelago about 360 miles off the coast of Norway. And from late spring through summer, visitors to the westernmost island of Mykines delight in the chance to see puffins, penguin-like seabirds, and their babies, called “pufflings”—and they’re just as adorable as their name would suggest. 

Dine at an ever-changing Bergen Island restaurant 

A 25-minute boat ride from Bergen—Norway’s second-largest city—Cornelius Seafood Restaurant offers a gastronomic experience that pays homage to the surrounding sea, tucked away on a small isle. Here, meals are crafted around the whims of the weather; the chef designs a daily “meteorological menu” influenced entirely by the sea. You’ll dine in a modern boathouse, savoring seafood sourced daily from local fishermen.

Build your own raft and put it to use on a Swedish river 

Purists and nature enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to strip away modern life and embrace the Swedish right of public land access, or “Allemansratten.” Construct your own timber raft from only logs and rope—supervised, of course, by experienced guides—before setting sail on the river Klaralven to camp and explore the spruce-blanketed wilderness of Varmland.

Across every glacier-carved fjord, dense boreal forest, and windswept stretch of coastline, the magic of Northern Europe is tangible—and waiting to be discovered.