When Europe heats up in July to the point where air conditioning in the car seems like the only life decision, we turned away from the scorching south and headed to where summer smells of pine trees, the sea and coffee on wooden benches in the middle of nowhere. To the north. To Scandinavia. More precisely – on a 13-day journey through Denmark and the west coast of Sweden, where we explored without a precise plan in our overland vehicle, sleeping in nature, campsites and on farms and enjoying the magic of a region that many still wrongly overlook. Join us on a roadtrip through Scandinavia.
Why did we decide to take a road trip through Scandinavia? Scandinavia is not just a land of fjords, cold seas and IKEA styling. It is a place where people give you peace, nature gives you breath, where there are no crowds of tourists in the summer and where you find the true meaning of the word hygge. Our goal was clear: a new bay every day, a new view from the bed on the roof of the car every morning, and as little Google Calendar as possible. Reservations? None. Crowds? None. Freedom? 100%. And now we hand you this guide – with all the stops, tips, prices and little details that can make your next trip unforgettable.
Roadtrip through Scandinavia – total route 4200 kilometers
Slovenia → northern Germany → Denmark (west coast) → Sweden (west coast) → Norway (border) → Malmö → Copenhagen → Slovenia
Day 1 – Transfer to Germany: Brunautal Campsite and the calm before the storm
Ours leaving Slovenia for a road trip through Scandinavia It wasn't dramatic. The car had been prepared the day before, the coffee was in a thermos, and the roads were surprisingly empty – as if Europe knew we were leaving it behind for a while. The first day was actually functional, transit-oriented, but also magical in its simplicity. The goal: to get high enough into Germany that Denmark would be almost within reach.
Late in the afternoon we drove to Camping Brunautal, hidden in a forest near Soltau, just a few minutes from the A7 motorway exit and close to Hamburg. The campsite surprised us with its tranquility – birdsong, clean showers, flat pitches and that feeling of finally being on the road. Dinner from the trunk, a short walk along the edge of the forest and the first photos – it wasn’t spectacular, but it was peace from the north windPrice per night 37 euros.
Day 2 – Denmark greets us with kings and waffles
Early rise, breakfast and we cross the German-Danish border. No controls, no ceremonies – just the sign “Danmark” and the feeling that the landscape is really slowly changing. It becomes more open, brighter, as if the light would open up differently. Our first real stop is Jelling, a small town with a magnificent history.
At the Jelling Museum, history intertwines with the digital present. Harald Bluetooth, son of Gorm the Old, erected the legendary Jelling Stones here – now under UNESCO protection – and thus consolidated Denmark as a Christian kingdom. The whole thing reads not like boring history, but like the beginning of a Norse saga. We also visited Jelling Church, where the tombs of kings rest peacefully under the white bell tower and manicured lawn.
In the afternoon we continued towards Ringkøbing, a charming town by the fjord. Small streets, local shops and locals who greet you with a smile. Here we had our first real “tourist” lunch – pizza and waffles. We started to let loose: the holiday had really begun.
The daily goal was Lyngvig Strand Camping, on the coast of the North Sea. Just before sunset we took a walk to the lighthouse, which greets visitors from afar. Sand under our feet, wind in our hair and water that wasn't warm – but wasn't too cold either. It was our first swim in Scandinavia. For the first time we felt how Nature and freedom merge into one in Scandinavia. Price per night 55 euros. One of the more expensive nights on our roadtrip through Scandinavia.
Day 3 – Along the coast among dunes, bunkers and surfing legends
In the morning we are awakened by the sound of the sea and the call of seagulls. We decide to stay by the coast and follow the path between the dunes, where history is hidden under every grain of sand. On the beaches between Lyngvig and Thorsminde lie old German bunkers from World War II, like concrete dinosaurs that nature is slowly absorbing. Walking past them is both melancholic and fascinating – a reminder that nature too has patience.
V Thorsminde, a fishing village, we stop for coffee. Silence is not silence – it is a simple life that needs no explanation. We continue towards Lemvig, a town that lies by the fjord and has a surprisingly lively center. There is a food market on the square, where we treat ourselves to a burger, fish and chips and a local beer. Lemvig surprises – it has an artistic vibe and a certain serenity that you can easily mistake for boredom, but is actually meditative.
As the road starts to turn north again, the landscape changes. Meadows with low bushes, grassland animals – horses and cows at every other bend – and again and again the feeling that you are driving through postcards. Finally we arrive in Vorupør, a surf town where boats still lie right on the beach, as if someone forgot to take them to the harbor. Here, the feeling of freedom is palpable.
We are camping in Nystrup Camping Klitmøller, just a few kilometers away. Let's walk to Cold Hawaii – that's what they call this coast because of the constant waves that attract surfers from all over Europe. We sit on wooden benches and watch someone ride the perfect wave. No applause, no prizes – just contact with nature. The beauty of silence. Price per night 53 euros in the free zone.
Day 4 – Dunes, birds and a migrating lighthouse
What will today's road trip through Scandinavia bring us? In the morning we continue our drive through Thy National Park, which envelops us in an almost mythological landscape. Tall pine trees, swamps, dunes that spread like waves towards the coast – it all seems like a landscape where a Scandinavian god could easily walk. We stop briefly at Lund Fjord Canal, where a wooden observation tower invites us to spend some time watching the birds. And the silence. There is nothing here – and that is the best this place has to offer.
As we approach the north, we turn towards the famous Rubjerg Knude lighthouse, which is interesting not only because of the view, but because in 2019 it was actually moved 70 meters inland to prevent it from falling into the sea. And this – an entire lighthouse, weighing 720 tons! The walk along the dune to it is not physically strenuous, but the wind does not let up, sand is everywhere - but when you step onto the plateau by the lighthouse and look towards the horizon, you forget everything.
The sun is already setting when we arrive in Hirtshals, a ferry town and the last major seaside resort before the far north of Denmark. Although we pass it quickly, it is interesting to know that ferries to Iceland and the Faroe Islands run from here - as if it were a real "gateway to the North".
We end the day in Tannisby. This town is known for being a testing ground for the European Car of the YearEvery year, car manufacturers test their vehicles here in all weather conditions – including driving on the beach. We were unlucky – the tide was in, So we ate one of the best ice creams on the whole trip.
Tannisby Camping greets us with a magical view and it seems like we are one step closer to the edge of the world. Price per night 45 euros.
Day 5 – Rabjerg Mile and Skagen: where the seas meet and time loses its bearings
In the morning we are greeted by fresh air and a wind that convinces us to pull out a light down jacket from our travel bag. Nothing happens – today we have a day that could be fully described as “between the dunes and the seas”. The first stop is Rabjerg Mile, the largest moving dune in Europe. As you approach it, it feels like you've parked on the edge of the Sahara, not northern Europe. In an instant, you're tiny, and your footprints disappear into the wind before you even look back. Sand rushes over the rim of your glasses, into your mouth, and between your fingers – but at the same time you know that there's no other landscape like it.
We continue towards Skagen, on the very edge of the Danish mainland, where the North Sea and the Baltic Sea meet. We’re usually skeptical of “must-see” spots, but Grenen is an exception. At the tip of a sandy promontory, you stand on a thin line between two worlds: the currents meet with a visible dividing line, as if someone had drawn a line in the sea. Waves on one side, calm water on the other. Next to us, a seal lazily basks in the sun – almost like a local guide observing the daily spectacle. A picnic on the beach takes on a whole new dimension here. It’s that freedom that a road trip through Scandinavia gives you.
In the afternoon we take a walk around Skagen. The city is famous for the 19th-century artists who came here for the special light. Today, that light is refracted by the yellow houses with their brick roofs, the fishing boats in the harbor, and the cyclists. A walk through the center is like a slightly antique postcard, in which you realize you are placed in a silent painting.
We spend the evening at the campsite. Skagen South Beach, perfectly arranged, just a few steps from the beach. Tired, sandy and happy – there is no drama here. Just an evening that you close with the gentle sound of the wind and the feeling that the north has really shown itself in its full beauty. Price per night 52 euros.
Day 6 – To Sweden across the sea and into the embrace of wild freedom
The next day we are moving - from Denmark to Sweden. The ferry from Frederikshavn to Gothenburg is not just a means of transportation - it is a real rite of passage. The ride is calm, comfortable and with enough views of the coast to keep you from getting bored. There is a café on board, indoor lounges and a sun deck – ideal for watching seabirds and writing down impressions in a diary (if you are still old school). The price of the ticket for a vehicle and 3 people is 282 euros – we bought them online the day before. We board the ferry and continue our road trip through Scandinavia to Sweden.
After almost four hours on the ship, we step onto Swedish soil with the feeling that we have once again crossed an invisible border into a different world. But Sweden quickly brings us back to reality – all the campsites in and around Gothenburg are occupied.
Don't panic, in the overland world you always have a plan B up your sleeve. Grateful for the Swedish rule “Right of public access”, which allows for nature, if you are respectful of the environment and people, we head out of town and find a beautiful location by the water near the town of Nordon. The parking lot with benches, toilets and access to swimming was more than just a plan B – it was a quiet gem that you don't find in the guidebooks. In the evening we treated ourselves to pasta from the trunk, wine from aluminum glasses (life in a car is full of improvisation) and a view that would sell for €300 a night in a hotel.
Day 7 – Marstrand and Smögen: rocks, wood and waffles
The next morning begins with a jump into the Baltic Sea – cold but clear. A perfect awakening that you get used to and miss months later.
We continue our journey towards Marstrand, a Swedish island accessible by a 5-minute ferry ride. When you leave your car on the mainland and step onto the island, you feel a change. There are no cars, no rush – just rocks, pine trees and wooden houses in navy red.
On the island, we are greeted by the Carlsten fortress, a view of the archipelago and a beautiful circular route around the island. At every bend, I could stop and make a film about Scandinavian peace. When we return to the mainland, we decide to continue our journey to Smögen – and this is one of those decisions that seals the memory of the summer. Without excuses, this is one of the most beautiful surprises that this road trip through Scandinavia gave us.
Smögen is a Swedish wonder: a fishing village with a wooden promenade, shops and cafes set right on the water. Everything is tidy, but nothing feels artificial. Wooden houses in all pastel shades reflect the light, the water gently rocks the boats, and we find ourselves with an ice cream in one hand, a waffle in the other and a faint feeling that we may have hit the Swedish jackpot.
We choose to sleep parking for motorhomes a little outside the center. A 15-minute walk back to the city in the evening means stars without city lights and a conversation over tea that only ends when we are surprised by a light rain. The price of parking for 24 hours is 35 euros.
Day 8 – Hike the red rocks of Ramsvikslandet and stargazing in Fjällbacka
We wake up with the feeling that summer here is different – it doesn't groan under the weight of tourists, it doesn't tire us with heat, but invites us to get moving. We head towards Ramsvikslandet, where a very special landscape awaits us. Red granite rocks, along which a small path winds right next to the sea, take us through one of the most photogenic hikes on the entire route. There are no forests here, no shadows - just the coast, rocks and silence, interrupted by the occasional "whoa" from a hiker on the other side.
The sun slowly pushes us forward, until Fjällbacke, known from Camilla Läckberg's crime novels, but also for the beautiful view from the viewpoint King's GapThe climb is not long, but the reward is priceless: the entire coastline, islets and fishing boats as if from a model. The town has a soul: in the old port, locals stop for a chat, the shops with handmade goods invite you with a simplicity that is not "touristy" but sincere.
Fjällbacka Camping is our home for the night. And there – quite by chance – we meet two Slovenians (the first we met on the way), a nice retired couple who cycled here from Malmö (more than 400 km!). I admit, at first we admired them, then envied them. In the evening we climb into our tent on the roof and look at the sunset, which lasted until almost 11 pm that evening. Conversation about life, silence without the need for explanation and the sun that doesn't go to sleep – this is Scandinavia. Price for the night 32 euros.
Day 9 – Norway for a morning and some retail therapy on the way south
We wake up with a feeling that something is missing. Something we haven't done yet. And then we find out - Norway is only an hour away. There was no dilemma: we turned the wheel to the northwest and headed across the border. The landscape becomes even more raw, greener, more… Nordic. The road is lonely, the edge of the road overgrown with pine trees, while in the distance the murmur of a waterfall begins to be heard.
Elgafossen is a waterfall on the very border between Sweden and Norway – and right there, on a wooden bridge over rushing water, we cross into another country. No landmarks, just the “Norwegian” flag and a camera in hand. The short hike to the viewpoint gives us that feeling that we have reached a little further, that we have – albeit briefly – touched another world.
On the way back, clouds start to gather over the road, and we take the opportunity to Hede Fashion Outlet, where the most famous Swedish brands are located: Didriksons, Peak Performance, Björn Borg, Haglöfs and a few others that only Scandinavians and Slovenians in waterproof jackets can probably appreciate. Buying one softshell here means you'll be at least 30 % more stylish next time you hit the mountains.
We arrive in the evening. Falsterbo Resort, a huge, modernly decorated campsite right next to the beach. The campsite is quiet, there are enough pitches and everything seems to slow down – as if we knew that our northern fairy tale was slowly coming to an end. Price per night 53 euros.
Day 10 – Oresund Bridge, Copenhagen and the Danish hot dog that saves the day
In the morning we face a decision: jump over the bridge or head back inland? Of course, when you have the opportunity to cross the iconic Oresund Bridge, you don't think long. 16 kilometers The long connection between Malmö and Copenhagen, a combination of bridge and underwater tunnel, is a technological marvel and a scenic paradise. The 60 euro toll is not a small amount, but the view – the bridge seems to float in the mist, the car sailing through the air – is forever etched in the memory.
You can't go on a road trip through Scandinavia without stopping in Copenhagen. It greets us with humid air and cloudy skies, which quickly dampens our will to explore the city for a long time. But then we say to ourselves: “You never know when you’ll be back.” So we park near Nyhavn, the colorful fishing district, and jump on boat tour through the canals. 2o € for 3 people, one hour, one boat and the whole story of the city. During this time we see all the key attractions: The Little Mermaid, the opera, the royal palace, modern neighborhoods that look like a catalog of Scandinavian minimalism… all this from the water, without the traffic chaos.
After disembarking, we get hungry. And in Copenhagen, that means one thing: a hot dog. But not an ordinary one. It's that legendary, Danish hot dog with crispy onions, sauce and pickles. Rating? 10/10, and without sentimentality. The price for a hot dog is 8 euros.
We end the evening at Tarup Strand Camping, somewhere between green pastures and blue skies. The last Danish evening. The last northern bay. And the wind that sounds like a silent thank you. Price per night 43 euros.
Day 11 – With the wind at my back heading south, but my soul still in the north
We would have liked to stay in the morning. But the weather gets ahead of us again – rain is forecast, and Scandinavians have experience with this. When they say “rain”, that’s exactly what they mean. We decide to head home, but without rushing. We drive through the green Jutland countryside, past the village of Ribe, past pastures where horses chew peacefully and cows look as if they’ve just come from a massage. Every kilometer back south is a little harder – not because of fatigue, but because of the feeling that we’re leaving something really special behind.
As evening approaches, we find ourselves in the area Leipzig, where with a little research on the application Park4Night we find something unusual: a parking lot on a rural farm in a village Landsberg. When we park, a sign awaits us: “In the morning you can take eggs, vegetables and honey – voluntary contributions in a box.” You can’t find places like that – they find you. We spend the evening among the fields, silence and laughter. There is no more North Sea, no more dunes, but the feeling of freedom is still in the car. Price for the night 15 euros.
Day 12 – Coming back to reality, with a little sand and a lot of gratitude
In the morning we are awakened by the smell of the earth. Real, slightly damp, a mixture of hay and rain that has not yet happened. While we are preparing the last breakfast on the road – fresh eggs, bread from the bakery the day before yesterday and coffee – an older gentleman on a tractor slowly drives up from the farm. He doesn't say much, he just raises his hand in greeting. And that's enough.
The last day of the journey is long. Not because of the kilometers, but because we know it's the end. The return home is quiet, every conversation a little softer. On the way, we look at the navigation once again, look in the rearview mirror and admit to ourselves – this wasn't just a journey, it was an experience of living differently. In an overland vehicle, without schedules, without advance reservations, but more than enough confidence that we will find something more beautiful every day than we ever imagined.
When we pull into our home street, everything seems a little smaller, quieter, more settled. But that's the charm of the journey – that home becomes new to you. The car will smell of Scandinavia long after that. And when there's still a grain of sand on the floor somewhere in the car, we'll know we've been somewhere where it was simply... right.
Conclusion: Scandinavia is not a destination. It's a feeling.
If you are traveling by van, motorhome or just a desire for a place where time has no schedule, then a road trip through Scandinavia is the ultimate summer getaway. Not for the adrenaline, but for the slowness. Not for the luxury, but for the simplicity. And yes – not for the sights, but for the feeling of being where you can truly be yourself.
