Rick Steves Encourages Visiting This Part Of Europe During Summer Despite The Crowds

It might come as a surprise to hear a travel expert recommend visiting somewhere in peak season. Most articles focus on helping you avoid the crowds that congregate in Europe's most famous cities. But there's one region that comes alive during a few brief months each year. So instead of warning you away, Rick Steves suggests embracing Scandinavia's short but spectacular high season. "Scandinavia bustles and glistens under the July and August sun; it's the height of the tourist season, when all the major sights are open and in full swing," he writes on his website. "Up here 'crowds' mean fun and action rather than congestion."

So, where exactly is Steves talking about? Scandinavia consists of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark (and sometimes Finland and Iceland, too!). Steves' first trip to Europe was to visit relatives in Norway as a teenager, and it was there that a love of travel was born. Since then, he has developed a deep and abiding love for these northern European countries, and summer is when Steves' passion is easiest to understand.

If you're in Scandinavia in the summer, staying up late to enjoy the midnight sun is a must. Head above the Arctic Circle to experience 24 hours of daylight. Lively Tromsø in Norway is a great pick for a mix of city vibes and outdoor activities, like hiking and kayaking, which you can do under an ever-bright sky. If you don't want to travel that far, you can still bask in the golden glow of long evenings further south, where 18-plus hours of daylight are the norm in Oslo and Stockholm in June.

There's so much to do in Scandinavia during summer that it's almost overwhelming! For many of us, Norway means fjords, and one of the best places to discover them is in Jotunheimen, the region Rick Steves believes boasts the best of Norway's natural beauty. The so-called "home of the giants" features Scandinavia's highest peak, surrounded by a towering mountain range, as well as vast forests and precipitous cliffs plunging into icy waters. 

Getting outdoors will likely be the theme of your Nordic vacation. Sweden gives you the opportunity to do just that right from the capital with a gorgeous new hiking trail through the Stockholm Archipelago. Combine walking with island-hopping by ferry across a few sections of the 170-mile trail and discover coastal landscapes, cool forests, and inviting swimming coves. Sweden is also the perfect place to experience a Midsommar celebration. Happening around the summer solstice in late June, you'll see women in flower crowns and people dancing around flower-covered maypoles. 

Denmark offers glorious natural escapes too, but many tourists go to Copenhagen for the food. When the weather's warm, visit one of the many street food markets or head down to a waterfront restaurant like Seaside Toldboden, where you can try food from around the world. Check out our food lover's guide to Copenhagen before you go. Wherever you visit in Scandinavia, locals will be out making the most of this brief window of light and warmth, so join them! 

You're likely to arrive in Scandinavia by air, and there are many direct routes from the U.S., particularly to Copenhagen. The region is also well-connected to the rest of Europe by air, train, bus, and ferry. Two particularly fun ways to arrive are by night train from Hamburg to Stockholm, or ferry from Germany, Poland, or the Baltic States. Once you're in Scandinavia, getting around is easy. Major cities are connected by international trains and ferries, and within the countries, rail, road, and sea transport are widely available.

Summer is firmly in June, July, and August in Scandinavia, though don't expect sweltering temperatures at any time. Average highs in Stockholm and Oslo in July hover around a pleasant 70 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit, with mornings often starting out cool and crisp. This means layers are a necessity! Bring a light, waterproof jacket for unexpected showers, and a warmer one for enjoying golden evenings and early mornings. In the afternoons, you'll probably be strolling around in shorts and a T-shirt. As Rick Steves says, travel in Scandinavia is about experiencing a place at its liveliest, so join the locals who make every light-filled minute count.