20 Days, 5 Countries; Here’s How I Had The Best Solo Euro Trip Ever!

To say that this Euro trip was a rollercoaster ride would definitely be a cliché. It was my third time in the coolest and the most happening continent, and it has always been a rollercoaster ride here. But this time, it was the BEST! On this solo Euro trip, I visited Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary, and my days there allowed me to evolve as a traveller.

I’m a solo traveller with serious travel karma. So, unexpected events were bound to happen. I was kind of already prepared when the first incident happened – I missed my train to Denmark! There was a series of unforeseen events after that but nothing can beat the time I had to go to the Indian embassy in Budapest!

I visited seven cities and took walking tours (highly recommend) in almost all of them. Also, it was my first time exploring Nordic countries and as much as I had read about the midnight sun on the internet, I wasn’t prepared for how would I feel when I actually witnessed it. It was definitely a jaw-dropping moment when I saw the bright sun shining on me at 9 PM when I was stepping out of the Stockholm airport.

Highlights Of My 20-Day Solo Euro Trip

In this blog, I will be covering the 2 Scandinavian countries that I visited – Sweden and Denmark.

Sweden

1. Walking Tour

On this Old Town group tour in Stockholm, we roamed around the lovely island of Gamla Stan and the guide explained why the Vikings chose this place to create their next capital. If you are a history aficionado, then you are going to love learning about the Viking Era, the German influence in Sweden, the Danish clash, the Stockholm bloodbath, etc. All this while stopping at places like the Parliament House, The Royal Palace, the Nobel Prize Museum, the smallest statue (15 cm in size) in Sweden, the popular colourful houses, and so much more. Our guide kept on sharing about Swedish rituals, culture, people, public rules, and jokes.

Cost: There is no set price and you can pay your guide at the end of the tour the amount you consider appropriate depending on your satisfaction, starting from 120 SEK (₹900) at least.

Duration: 2.5 hours

2. Royal Canal Tour

If you want to behold the beauty of the greener parts of ‘Venice of the North’, then go for a boat tour around beautiful Djurgården. On this canal tour, I saw several historical buildings, museums, and green areas. There is a café on board where you should try the popular Swedish fika (coffee and cinnamon roll). The boat departs from Strömkajen in the centre of Stockholm and takes you around gorgeous spots.

Ticket Price: 268 SEK (₹2,000)

Duration: 1 hour

3. Fjäderholmarna

Did you know that with 221,800 islands, Sweden has the highest number of islands in the world? I took a day trip to Fjäderholmarna, which is located in the Stockholm archipelago (the largest archipelago of the country spreading out into its 30,000 islands, islets, and skerries). This tiny island has forest trails, rocky coastlines, art galleries, traditional Swedish restaurants, and more. Below are some of the things you can do on your Fjäderholmarna day trip from Stockholm: –

Shop for local handicrafts and art
Walk through the forest paths (must-do)
Visit the Allmogebåtar boat museum
Sunbathe on the rocks, hang out at the beach, or swim
Watch glass being blown at The Garage (must-do)
Enjoy the outdoor concert
Eat a leisurely lunch (must-try at Röda Villan)

Roundtrip Boat Ride Cost: 188 SEK (₹1,400)

Duration: You can spend a few hours or an entire day on the island. I ended up being there for 7 hours.

4. Skansen

Displaying Sweden with houses and farmsteads from every part of the country, Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum. It’s a great place to discover Sweden’s history and find out about the life of Swedes. There are interpreters in authentic traditional dresses everywhere and they will answer any queries you may have about the place. The huge Baltic Sea Science Center is newly opened where you can experience life beneath the surface.

Ticket Price: 255 SEK (₹1,900)

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM

5. Vrak – Museum of Wrecks

Just a 5-minute walk from Skansen, my love for the underwater world took me to this museum. It’s a new maritime archaeological museum in the middle of the capital city. I learnt about the dramatic events hidden beneath the surface of the Baltic Sea along with discovering some well-preserved wrecks. Digital experiences like film encounters, life-like VR dives, holograms, and games grabbed my attention. Along with that, there are 5 exhibitions in this museum.

For party animals: If you want to experience the nightlife of Stockholm, then do visit Trädgården, which is one of the most happening clubs in the city.

Ticket Price: 188 SEK (₹1,400)

Timings: Daily, 10 AM to 5 PM; Wednesdays, 10 AM to 8 PM

Also Read: After Visiting 20 States & 6 Union Territories Of India, Here’s Why The Andamans Tempt Me Most!

Denmark

1. Pub Crawl

Europe is popular for pub crawls, and Copenhagen is the most sought-after city to have this experience. The crawl took our group on a journey through 5 different clubs in the heart of the city where I met travellers from different parts of the world. Together we drank, danced, and talked the night away. We started from Aloha Beach Bar and ended at The Old Irish Pub which is one of the most incredible nightclubs here. The tour included 4 shots and 1 beer along the way. Take this tour if you want to experience the best of Copenhagen’s nightlife!

Cost: 232 DKK (₹2,755)

Duration: 4 hours (8 PM to 12 midnight)

2. Furesøen Lake Boat Trip

This hop-on hop-off boat tour in Copenhagen took me around Denmark’s deepest lake surrounded by lush greenery and a number of historical sites. It’s a relaxing trip on an antique wooden boat and an ideal way to chill on a sunny day. The ticket is valid all day, so you can choose to enjoy the 2-hour boat tour or hop on and off at any of these 5 stops– Frederiksdal, Jægerhuset, Holte Havn, Birkerød Sejlklub, and Furesøbad. I spent maximum time in Furesøbad which is located in the middle of the forest area and is a perfect spot for taking a walk on nature trails, sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying lunch.

Price: 104 DKK (₹1,250)

Timings: 10:30 AM to 6:15 PM (first & last departure)

3. Walking Tour

During this guided group tour, I learned about different stories and events of Copenhagen through its streets and magnificent buildings such as the founding of the city, curiosities about Danish culture, and most importantly, why it is so easy to fall in love with this city. My favourite is Nyhavn, the typical coloured houses. The entire street is lined with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. The walking tour ended at Amalienborg, where the Queen of Denmark lives!

Cost: There is no set price; you may pay your guide at the end of the tour the amount you consider appropriate depending on your satisfaction, starting from 75 DKK (₹ 900) at least.

Duration: 3 hours

4. Bellevue Beach

Bellevue Beach is a beach in Klampenborg on the northern outskirts of Copenhagen. Stretching across 700 metres, there is a tree-lined lawn for relaxing and playing as well.

Danish people must have great immunity, I believe. While I was shivering and wore my jacket right after getting my pictures clicked, I could see locals swimming and enjoying the European summer in the truest sense. Well, I wore my sports shoes to a beach, and that says a lot about me!

5. The Deer Park (Dyrehaven)

If you want to fill your lungs with fresh Nordic air, then visit this place in Copenhagen. This wonderland is within walking distance from Bellevue Beach, and here you can enjoy a peaceful walk in lovely surroundings. This UNESCO world heritage forest is home to more than 2,000 free-roaming red, fallow, and sika deer. The world’s oldest operating amusement park, Bakken, is also inside this park.

Also Read: Not Liking Museums, Changing Plans Last Minute & More; Here Are 11 Confessions Of A Traveholic

This was all about my Swedish and Danish travel experiences. Stay tuned for my next blog in which I will be taking you to Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary!

Cover Image Credits: @strolling_shoes/Instagram

20 Days, 5 Countries; Here’s How I Had The Best Solo Euro Trip Ever!

Highlights Of My 20-Day Solo Euro Trip

Sweden

Denmark

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