Helsinki, Copenhagen, Oslo or Stockholm?

Squall Leonhart

I'm thinking of maybe booking a break for 3-4 days around St Patrick's Day this year, for 2 of us.

I have it in my head that heading to one of the Nordic countries could be an interesting trip rather than mainland Europe or the UK. Between flights and hotels, I don't really want to spend more than €1000. This seems possible with all the above places based on quick checks with SkyScanner and Trivago.

I'm looking for some feedback from people who have visited one or better again, a couple or more of these locations to share your experiences and make recommendations or general advice?

For no real reason, Helsinki or Oslo are forerunners at the minute.

goingnowhere

Copenhagen, windswept, small, not much really going on (been twice)

Oslo, small, again not a huge amount going on, expensive, but nice to look at

Helsinki, interesting, nice people, good food http://www.teatteri.fi/en/teatteri-grill/menu-en/

Stockholm, while it looks similar to the above three, once you hit the old town it becomes a far more interesting place. Food wise http://www.desvartafaren.se/ really nice


All are safe, well managed cities with decent public transport, just about everyone speaks perfect English. Down side expensive in general, Alcohol in particular (Norway in a big way). Breakfast is nearly always included in hotel room rates.

Squall Leonhart

Great, thanks.

Sounds like a vote for Helsinki & Stockholm.

Have read elsewhere that from Helsinki day trips to Tallinn are pretty inexpensive and don't take long to travel, though if only in the city for a few day, not sure about spending one full day going somewhere else and back.

coylemj

Tivoli Gardens won't be open in March so agree that there's not much to do in Copenhagen. Oslo is a lovely city but the place is sooooo expensive! Could be still cold up north in March, I'd go to Milan or Madrid if I was you.

Squall Leonhart

Just checked out prices for Milan, flights come in at 250 euro more expensive, which is a lot. Granted it'll cost more to be in the Northern countries so maybe it balances out.

Can probably rule out Norway, can't be dealing with the exorbitant expense it seems to bring.

spurious

Haven't been to Copenhagen, but have been to the other three. Would go back to Stockholm in an instant.

schemingbohemia

I really liked Copenhagen, nice vibe to the place and there is certainly stuff to do. Decent museums, craft and design shops etc. Hope to get to Stockholm this year but I'd definitely head back to Copenhagen too.
It was very cold when I was there for a St Patricks weekend a few years ago.

RebelButtMunch

Stockholm for the aesthetics. I would say though, if you're planning on doing it on the cheap, its probably easier to do it on the cheap in Copenhagen.

Edit: Very easy and cheap to get to city center in Copenhagen.

Squall Leonhart

I have gone and booked flights to Stockholm, seems to have got good reviews from any who have visited.

Looks like it'll still be -3 to +3 degrees, but should be nice, looking forward to it

Now... off to Air BnB with me!

munchkin_utd

Stockholm is dear, but not all that much dearer than Dublin really, and if youve been to Paris or Amsterdam or Brussels or London then Stockholm wouldnt strike you as being so out of kilter with the rest.

Food can be dear in the evenings in restaurants but similar to round the world theres deals to be had at Lunch time. Even for booze, there can be a daily special in bars that work out no dearer than you'd pay in Dublin.

Actually, comparing it to Dublin isnt a bad analogy as you can spend a half a fortune in Dublin if youre not careful, but with a small amount of research you can avoid spending heaps

RebelButtMunch

Bear in mind, that if you want to save a few bob and have a couple of drinks in the hostel, the off-license in Sweden is government operated and has business opening hours. In other words, you wont get gargle in the supermarket.

Almost Famous

Copenhagen

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Mr rebel

Good choice in picking Stockholm..it is a fabulous, clean city with cheery people.

spurious

Usually expansive and extensive breakfasts in Scandinavian hotels. I haven't come across a bad one yet. See you through to teatime.

Squall Leonhart

spurious wrote:

Usually expansive and extensive breakfasts in Scandinavian hotels. I haven't come across a bad one yet. See you through to teatime.

The hotel was charging 28 euro per person per night for breakfast, so I skipped on that option!

Maybe I'll find it to my detriment when I go to purchase breakfast elsewhere, but it seemed a bit mental.

RebelButtMunch

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

The hotel was charging 28 euro per person per night for breakfast, so I skipped on that option!

Maybe I'll find it to my detriment when I go to purchase breakfast elsewhere, but it seemed a bit mental.

Nah, find yourself a local 7/11 and get a nice fresh roll with cheese/ham and a cinnamon bun and a coffee

35kroner!
http://www.7-eleven.se/service-sortiment/frukost

spurious

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

The hotel was charging 28 euro per person per night for breakfast, so I skipped on that option!

Maybe I'll find it to my detriment when I go to purchase breakfast elsewhere, but it seemed a bit mental.

Oh, I wouldn't pay if it wasn't included, but where it is, it will be very good.

whippet

I spent two weeks in Stockholm last summer with the kids. It is a wonderful city and plenty to do with the kids. Not all that expensive if you stay away from the booze and dinners out (when you have kids you have no choice)

Explore the parks and sodermalm ... lovey part of the city ... go spend a full day and evening at Grona Lund amusement park .. very charming and great entertainment.

We did an airbnb as two weeks in a hotel with kids would have been far too expensive.

Two weeks is a bit much but we rented a car and visited family a couple of times further north.

yorlum11

Oslo is a beautiful place. Stayed just outside the city in the hills. Winter wonderland. Your money won't go far but worth it for the experience.

losthorizon

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

I'm thinking of maybe booking a break for 3-4 days around St Patrick's Day this year, for 2 of us.

I have it in my head that heading to one of the Nordic countries could be an interesting trip rather than mainland Europe or the UK. Between flights and hotels, I don't really want to spend more than €1000. This seems possible with all the above places based on quick checks with SkyScanner and Trivago.

I'm looking for some feedback from people who have visited one or better again, a couple or more of these locations to share your experiences and make recommendations or general advice?

For no real reason, Helsinki or Oslo are forerunners at the minute.

Feck that - Iceland. Reykjavik its small you will see everything in two or three days and do some whale spotting but this is the beauty of the place - rent a car. See the sights outside the capital. Its an amazing country. Its wild, friendly and manageble and very near to us. It is expensive though like all the nordic nations.

RebelButtMunch

losthorizon wrote: »

Feck that - Iceland. Reykjavik its small you will see everything in two or three days and do some whale spotting but this is the beauty of the place - rent a car. See the sights outside the capital. Its an amazing country. Its wild, friendly and manageble and very near to us. It is expensive though like all the nordic nations.

Can you get there cheaply?

riemann

losthorizon wrote: »

Feck that - Iceland. Reykjavik its small you will see everything in two or three days and do some whale spotting but this is the beauty of the place - rent a car. See the sights outside the capital. Its an amazing country. Its wild, friendly and manageble and very near to us. It is expensive though like all the nordic nations.

I'd recommend Iceland for more than a few days, a week ideally.

losthorizon

RebelButtMunch wrote: »

Can you get there cheaply?

Wow air is about €120 each way per person

ECO_Mental

Squall Leonhart wrote: »

I have gone and booked flights to Stockholm, seems to have got good reviews from any who have visited.

Looks like it'll still be -3 to +3 degrees, but should be nice, looking forward to it

Now... off to Air BnB with me!

Old town is nice and you have to go and see the Vasa, It's an old preserved ship similar to the Mari Rose but a lot better.

I've been to a few places in northern Europe, Copenhagen, Malmo, Oulu in Finland and Stockholm and always the one thing I come away saying is how bloody expensive they are. Now I do like to have a pint or two so when I have to pay up to €10 for a bloody simple beer it just niggles at me and takes away some of the goodness of the trips....

ted1

I'd recommend 2 nights in Copenhagen then jump on the train or bus and head to Malmö for another 2 nights, they are literally across the bridge from each other and both are great places to visit.