My 10-Day Scandinavia Trip: Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo
This summer, I finally went on a trip to Scandinavia! My friend Yoli and I had both been interested in going, so we finally went. We spent ten days exploring Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, and it was so amazing! I can’t wait to go back. Here’s what we did:
Copenhagen: Fashion Week
We kicked off the trip with four days in Copenhagen and timed it perfectly with Copenhagen Fashion Week!
Even though we didn't originally plan the trip around fashion week, once we realized the timing, we reached out to some brands and ended up scoring invites to multiple shows and presentations.
Fashion Week Highlights
Our first official fashion show was Fine Chaos, and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to fashion week. I also loved the Rabens Saloner and MLGA presentations. The MLGA presentation had the coolest edgy, emo-grunge vibes that totally inspired my style for fall. Another unexpected favorite was The Jewellery Room, a venue filled with beautiful, sustainable jewelry designers. It inspired Yoli and I to plan some new ear piercings!
Copenhagen Fashion Week had a very warm and welcoming vibe. Unlike the more intimidating reputations of Paris or New York, Copenhagen’s focus on sustainability and ethical fashion made it feel approachable and inclusive. I loved it and I will definitely be going back!
Exploring Copenhagen
Aside from fashion events, we wandered through the city’s iconic Nyhavn canal, had smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), and enjoyed some of the best gelato I’ve ever had. We also visited the stunning Rosenborg Castle gardens and the lush green grass and sunny weather made it feel like a fairytale.
On our 3rd day in Copenhagen, it ended up being very rainy, so we decided to head to Designmuseum Danmark and really enjoyed seeing all the quintessential Danish designs!
Food in Copenhagen
A major highlight was dinner at Delphine, a Mediterranean restaurant where everything was absolutely delicious (and the portions were huge compared to what I’m used to in Barcelona). I highly recommend it! Another favorite meal was at Sticks'n'Sushi, perfect after a full day of shows.
Stockholm: Art, Nature, and Chill Vibes
Next, we hopped over to Stockholm for three days. We stayed at the beautiful Nordic Light Hotel, which had an incredible breakfast spread, including lots of gluten-free options!
What We Did
One of the coolest things about Stockholm is its subway art. We spent an afternoon hopping between the famous art-filled metro stations. We also visited Skansen, an open-air museum and zoo. Pro tip: give yourself at least two hours there because there’s so much to see (animals and historical Swedish buildings).
We explored the charming Gamla Stan (Old Town), took a ferry to the island of Vaxholm, and spent a beautiful nature-filled afternoon soaking up the sun by the water. Sometimes, the best moments are the simplest ones, like sitting barefoot in the grass, feeling fully present.
Stockholm Food and Shopping
I had to try the famous Swedish candies and they were worth the wait! We ate at Olli Restaurant, which was fantastic, and grabbed cocktails at Röda Huset, a famous cocktail bar known for using local ingredients. I also discovered Gina Tricot, a Swedish brand similar to Mango or Zara - and quickly fell in love with their pieces.
Oslo: A Hidden Gem
I’ll be honest: a lot of people told us Oslo would be "boring." But they couldn’t have been more wrong. Oslo turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the trip!
Oslo Highlights
We stayed at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, right next to the train station (super convenient). One must-visit spot is the sculpture park called Vigelandsparken. It was a definite highlight of the trip. I also highly recommend the Munch Museum if you're an art lover. It was inspiring, and the views over Oslo were stunning.
We explored Grunerløkka, a hipster-chic neighborhood filled with cool boutiques and coffee shops. We ended up shopping at the Ganni outlet and finding some cute pieces at local stores like Holzweiler and Junkyard.
Food and Nightlife
One night, we met friends at Olivia Aker Brygge and had a great time. We went out for cocktails afterward at Sommerro and then Bar Bardot, where I fell in love with their Coco Lychee cocktail. Oslo’s vibe is elegant yet unpretentious, and I can’t wait to go back!
Final Thoughts
This trip rekindled my love for travel and fashion. Scandinavian fashion, especially the jewelry scene, really inspired me to embrace more statement pieces and bolder styles. Beyond the shopping and sightseeing, the best part was the pure, simple happiness of soaking in beautiful cities, green parks, cozy cafés, and incredible design everywhere we turned.
I definitely want to experience Scandinavia in the winter next - I’m curious to see if I still love it just as much when the cozy, snowy vibes take over.
If you’re considering a Scandinavia trip, I highly recommend it, and don’t sleep on Oslo! It might just surprise you the way it did me.
If you want to learn more about my Scandinavia Trip, check out my YouTube channel where I uploaded vlogs for each city!
