Scandinavia - Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland: visa, attractions, language, currency, time difference, rest in summer and winter, fishing, what to bring

Scandinavia countries are a harsh northern climate, the highest quality of life and a rather interesting culture.

What is Scandinavia, where is it on the map?

Scandinavia is traditionally called the north of Europe, or rather, three countries that are on the Scandinavian peninsula and the surrounding islands: Norway, Sweden and Denmark. In a wide philistine sense, Scandinavia is also often attributed to Iceland and Finland.

Historically, Scandinavia is a land of harsh Vikings - sailors, merchants and robbers in one person. For a long time, the Scandinavians were a great headache for the surrounding tribes, as they regularly made severe raids on the neighbors.

The Scandinavian sagas about brave heroes are, in fact, the stories of how one of the kong (local tribal rulers) went to the lands, gloriously robbed them, brought the mountains of good, and the whole tribe feasted for many days, glorifying its breadwinner. The richer the prey, the greater the feat in the eyes of fellow tribesmen.

Some of the Vikings became famous not only for robberies, but also by great geographical discoveries (Eric Red, for example). But this, rather, is a pleasant bonus - for the three seas the Scandinavians went in search of rich booty, and not out of love for the unknown.

Scandinavia map With cities in Russian

Visa to Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland: Documents

All countries of Scandinavia are included in the Schengen zone and present uniform rules on the package of visa documents. The list includes:

• A questionnaire that can be filled in an electronic visa on the sites of visa centers of specific countries (see the sites below)
• A passport for a period of at least three months on the date of return from the trip (for Iceland it is also required to attach copies of each passport page with marks)
• Photocopies of old Schengen visas (if they are glued into the previous passport, attach a photocopy of his first page and visas that are glued into it)
• 2 color photos 3.5x4.5 cm on a white background (for Finland the background is needed light gray)

• A receipt of payment for registration for registration (you can pay at a visa center)
• A copy of the passport of the Russian Federation (all filled with pages), children under 14 apply a photocopy of the HB on birth, from 14 to 18 years old-simultaneously a photocopy of the HB and a photocopy of the passport of the Russian Federation (Iceland requires a copy of all pages, even empty)
• Reference: for workers - from the place of work, for students and schoolchildren - from the place of study, and the bank's certificate on the availability of account
• Hotel reservation - can be done on the site Booking.com
• Reservation rails or aviates, or ferry tickets
• The medical policy covering the dates of the trip, the size of the coating is not lower than 30,000 euros, in the column "zone of action" you need to indicate "All Schengen countries"
• Consent to the processing of personal data (you will find a form on visa sites below)
• Notarial consent to the export of the child to the Schengen zone, if one of the parents (or both) does not accompany a minor citizen of the Russian Federation on a trip

Attention! Despite the general nature of the requirements when drawing up a visa to a specific country of Scandinavia, additional nuances and requirements for documents may arise, check the details in visa centers

You can find more detailed information about the rules, terms and cost of a visa on the following sites:

• Denmark Visa Center website in Russia
• The site of the Iceland's Visa Center in Russia
• Site of the Visa Center of Norway in Russia
• Finland visa center website in Russia
• Swedish visa site in Russia

In what language do Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland?

Scandinavian countries in addition to general geography have a common culture and history. In each of the countries of Scandinavia, you will meet the Finns, Swedes, Norwegians and representatives of small Scandinavian tribes and nationalities living there.

The most common language of Scandinavia is Swedish: it speaks the inhabitants of Sweden and part of the citizens of Finland. In Finnish schools, the basic study of the Swedish language is included in the mandatory program.

Finnish language is the official language of Finland, which can also be found in Sweden and Norway in the form of different dialects of local Finnish communities

Iceland for a long time was under the protectorate of Denmark, therefore the Icelandic and Danish languages \u200b\u200bare found both in Denmark and Iceland. In Denmark, German is also common.

In Norway, the case with languages \u200b\u200bis interesting. Due to the huge variety of dialects in the country, there are two official Norwegian languages \u200b\u200band two options for national writing. In general, the Norwegian language is very close to Icelandic and Danish in its origin

In English (basic level), most urban residents of Scandinavia can speak.

What is the currency in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland?

In all five countries in the official circulation, the single currency "Euro". One euro is equal to 100 euro centers. In circulation there are bills of the advantage of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 euros, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 euro centers, 1 and 2 euros.

The currency can be exchanged in bank departments and at the reception of the hotel. Bank cards are accepted for payment everywhere, there are terminals in every village.

The difference in time with Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Icelandia

The time difference between Moscow and the countries of Scandinavia is:

• Iceland, Reykjavik: -3 hours
• Denmark, Copenhagen: -1 hours
• Norway, Oslo: -1 hours
• Finland, Helskinki: Time coincides with Moscow
• Sweden, Stockholm: -1 hours

New Year in Scandinavia: celebration, rest

Scandinavia countries are the most suitable place for the New Year. Where, where, and in the kingdom of eternal snow, real experts of winter entertainment and magical Christmas stories live.

Winter vacation in Scandinavia countries is primarily excellent excursions (read the attractions of the Scandinavia countries below), and secondly, these are beautiful ski resorts (look more about skiing in Scandinavia here).

But the main goal in Scandinavia, if you are traveling with children, is of course a trip to Santa Claus (or rather, to his Scandinavian brothers).

Santa Claus village in Finland

The largest residence of Santa Claus in Scandinavia is located near the Finnish city of Rovaniemi. Santa Park (the so-called residence) is a whole fairy-tale city, to which from Rovanieya you can get on a regular bus in just 15 minutes.

In Santa Park, you will find a sea of \u200b\u200bentertainment for children and adults: Mrs. Klaus gingerbread cuisine, mail and a factory of elves toys, deer sledding, ice attractions and, of course, the main event for each visitor of Santa Park is a personal date with Santa Claus .

Santa Park is located on the border of the Arctic Circle, where you can see an amazing polar glow and immerse yourself on a polar night for several days. The park has official site In Russian, where you will find any additional information.

Santa Claus residence in Norway

In Norway, the residence of Santa Claus is located 300 km from Oslo in the town of Savalen. Local Santa Claus is called Yulenissen, and his possessions are much more modest than Finnish. But here there is something to have fun.

You can visit Yulenissen’s office, in which he reads letters from the kids, go to the local contact zoo with northern animals, treat himself with ginger waffles and visit the gift factory.

In winter, a small ski resort with children's tracks opens near Yulenissen's residence. Available skiing on dog and deer teams, snowmobiles. A good spa and Finnish bathhouse is open all year round here.

On the official website of the resort of Savalen You will find even more information about Yulenissen's residence in Norway.

Santa Claus village in Sweden

The Swedish residence of Santa Claus is called Tomtelend and is located in the province of Dalarn 300 km from Stockholm. This is a whole village of entertainment, inhabited by the elves that play on the harp, produce gold in a fabulous mine and make toys.

In a fabulous forest you can meet trolls, ride horses and deer, visit the Santa Claus house and sit in its magic sleigh. The official website of the village of Tomte in Russian see here.

Where to find Santa Claus in Denmark?

In the Danish kingdom, unfortunately, there is no Santa Claus village. But here you can see not one, but as many as hundreds of santa-clauses from all over the world.

The World Santa Claus Congress Congress traditionally takes place in July, lasts a whole week and includes such important issues as the sizes of ginger cookies, the technique of moving in the mantelpiece, the most fashionable gifts and much more.

During the Congress in Kopegagen, you can see a parade of Santa Claus, take part in various shows and chat with real elves. The official website of World Santa Claus Congres see here.

Santa Claus in Iceland

Iceland is the most pagan of the countries of Scandinavia, where Christian traditions have not yet taken root too much, so Santa in Iceland is a rather rare guest. Instead of one good grandfather, 15 harmful old men come to Icelandic children and, instead of gifts, they bring continuous troubles.

In general, the presence of Santa Claus in Iceland is limited to branded mailboxes in which children lower their letters. But you will not be able to meet directly with the local Santa Claus.

Barry tours in Scandinavia: Sweden, Finland

A very popular type of trip to Scandinavian countries is ferry cruises from St. Petersburg. Tours are available all year round, you can purchase such a trip at any travel agency in Russia.

The routes and duration are different - from 3 days to two weeks. The price includes a bus from St. Petersburg to Helsinki, then the trip continues in the cabin (the level of comfort depends on your choice) of a modern ferry ship.

The ferry is provided with food, entertainment programs, there are souvenir kiosks and shops. Daily steam stops in one of the Scandinavian capitals. On board, group tours of the city are offered. If desired, you can take a walk yourself.

Some programs suggest night at the hotel for 1-2 nights (the choice of the hotel category can also be done when ordering a tour).

A big plus of such trips can be considered the presence of a Russian -speaking accompanying person, an accelerated procedure for drawing up a visa and a certain comfort: a pitching on a ferry is not felt, you live here with an ordinary hotel life, but every day your “hotel” is in a new place - compared to bus excursions, this is a huge a plus.

You can approximately evaluate the cost of a ferry trip here.

Bus Tours in Scandinavia

Bus tours to Scandinavia is another opportunity to see for one trip the maximum attractions of Northern Europe. Groups are sent from St. Petersburg. The first stage of the trip usually includes steam to one of the Scandinavian countries, then you are transferring to the bus and continue your journey.

Tours can be combined in different ways: the duration, route and options for ferry-out-volume movements depend on your desires and specific programs of the tour operator. As part of one round, you can choose hotel categories and the level of comfort of the cabin.

You can see options for ready -made bus tours in Scandinavia here.

Scandinavia countries

Sweden

Sweden is the most Scandinavian of all countries of Northern Europe. This country gave the world of Carlson, the ABBA group, IKEA furniture and the Nobel Prize. The main values \u200b\u200bof the Swedes are practicality, simplicity and restraint.

Sweden is a monarchy, but the king here shares power with parliament and is rather an honorary nominal figure. The Swedes adore their king, they love everything with the prefix "IVF", and adhere to the iron rule "do not harm nature." An interesting fact: in Sweden it is allowed to go into private possessions and walk on the territory of other people's land, provided that there is careful handling of nature.

Rest in the summer, the attractions of Sweden

The most remarkable museums in Sweden: Vasa Museum, Nobel Museum (interactive gallery of prize laureates), National Museum of Sweden (exhibition of paintings), Architectural Museum of Stockholm (very strange models of buildings), Historical Museum of Stockholm (Viking Treasures), Museum of the Natural History of Stockholm (very interesting for children due many interactive exhibits) and the Middle Ages (all about knights).

The most interesting castles and fortresses: Vadstensky Abbey (Monastery of the XIV century), Castle Gripsholm (Royal Residence), Drotingholm Castle (Local Versailles), Erebra, Malmar and Kalmar (Gloomy Middle Ages)

Globen Arena and Skyveu lift - A platform for sports and world -class concerts is a modern building with a huge spherical dome, to which a special capsule funicular goes to the top. The highest point of the funicular is at the height of a bird's flight and opens the panoramas of Stockholm as in the palm of his hand.

Scansen - An open -air folklore museum. This is a whole village in which a traditional way of life in Sweden is represented in the 19th-XX centuries. The village is “populated” by animators in national costumes who play the role of artisans, merchants and ordinary inhabitants.

Gamla-Stan - The old center of Stockholm, a colorful medieval district with a traditional city development for Scandinavia of that time

Longholmen prison - The former medieval dungeon, in which a museum, restaurant and a hotel are currently accommodated. The hotel guests are waiting for the prisoner Rob (optional), and information about their most famous prisoners has been posted on the walls of numbers that have once been prison cameras.

Royal Palace in Stockholm - The current residence of the Swedish monarchs, which is available for visiting tourists.

Unibacken -The town-museum of the Swedish storyteller Astrid Lindgren, inhabited by the heroes of her works: "Baby and Carlosn", "Peppy-Long Stocking", "Madiken and Pims from Unibacquen."

Empory -Mega-Gooping Center in Malmo, Mecca of local and visiting shopaholics, 200 shoes, clothing and household items as well as very unusual interiors.

What to bring from Sweden?

• Figure of the moose is a national symbol, the most popular souvenir
• Swedish crystal - high -quality products and extremely unusual design
• Swedish chocolate is not inferior in quality to the Swiss and Belgian
• Clothing - Swedish brands are almost not known in Russia, but are highly valued in Europe for quality and practicality

Norway

Norway is the land of courageous discoverers (the most famous round of Heyerdal and Fritiof Nansen), Norwegian fjords and, oddly enough, very friendly inhabitants. The harsh Nordic disposition here manifests itself in everything: in local landscapes of the harsh north, in folk legends, heroic figures of the Norwegians and their traditional entertainments.

Rest in summer and winter, the sights of the kingdom

Royal Palace in Oslo - The residence of the Norwegian kings, which live and rule the country to this day. The palace is open to visits to tourists, but group excursions are held only in the Swedish language, to examine, accompanied by an English -speaking or Russian -speaking guide, it is necessary to make a preliminary order.

Vigeland Park - A huge exhibition of sculptures (more than 200) Swedish sculptor Gustav Vigeland (in places his work greatly resembles Tsereteli).

Bruggen -The UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medieval quarter-trick in the center of Bergen, which is familiar to almost everyone on tourist cards and booklets of Norway.

Historical Museum Oslo - Archaeological, ethnographic and art museum in one bottle, a huge exposition.

Helen Unstas Centerd - Museum of Modern Art and Cultural Center. The installations of local artists and concerts of ethnic music will drive the most sophisticated connoisseurs of modern artistic and expressive techniques.

Museum of the Armed Forces of Norway - An exhibition of weapons, camping equipment and soldier’s life of the Norwegian warriors from the era of early Vikings to the Second World War.

Museums in honor of famous Norwegians: “Kon-Tiki” (about the tour of Heyerdala), the House-Museum of Ibsen, Trolhaugen (Edward Grieg estate), an exhibition-museum of the Foles of Munk (the author of the famous painting “Scream”.

Rosenkrantz tower and Hokons Hall - early medieval fortification and residence of the King of Norway Hokon Hokonsson (XIII century).

Norwegian ethnographic museum - a folklore city with the current infrastructure (craft shops, church, farm), interactive expositions (rural and urban life) and natural houses carefully transferred from different parts of Norway.

Cruises in the Norwegian fjords. Fishing in Norway

Fjords of Norway

Norwegian fjords (bays) are a unique terrain that was formed in the ice age era. The prehistoric glacier left deep cracks and faults in the rocks of Norway, which over time filled with water.

Fjords are the real pride of the Norwegians and one of the main attractions for which tourists from all over the world go to this harsh northern edge.

The most famous fjords of Norway: Hardangerfjord (flowering fruit trees, soft climate, waterfalls), Heyrangerfjord (picturesque villages and the best fishing), Lusefjord (impregnable bewitching rocks), Sognefjord (glacier, national park and fabulous houses along the shores).

The best way to travel to the Norwegian fjords is a cruise that will allow you to see the most impregnable shores and the amazing panorama of the coastline. Cruises are of different durations (often weekly) and a wide variety of routes (the entire coastline of Norway is cut by hundreds of bays of different sizes).

Cruises for fjords are carried out from April to October. You can see the approximate programs and the cost of cruises on fjords here.

Fishing in Norway

Fishing in Norway is not just a hobby, but something akin to the national sport and local attractions in one bottle. In any tourist guide, you will find the item "Fishing in Norway" is among the first offers on the list.

The most popular among tourists is sea fishing and fishing in the fjords. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, local waters are simply teeming with sea reptiles of different sizes, so luck is waiting for even the most beginning fishermen. Typically, fishing is offered as a separate excursion at ground tours and in the form of entertainment on board cruise liners.

What to bring from Norway?

• The figure of the troll is a favorite folklore character of the Norwegians, or a small copy of the Viking boat
• Norwegian aquatitis is an alcoholic drink of potatoes and caraway seeds, which (attention !!!) is specially sent on ships to Australia and vice versa, so that a bottle of aquatitis twice crossed the equator - only this method, according to the Norwegians, allows you to achieve a drink of the desired fortress and consistency ( The dates of the equator intersection and the name of the ship are indicated on each bottle)
• Branded knitting products with ornaments
• Brown Norwegian cheese "Brunost"
• Smoked salmon and other seafood
• Rosemaling - a cute trinket with a traditional Norwegian floral painting

Finland

Finland from all Scandinavian countries costs somewhat apart. The Scandinavians themselves tease the Finns for their slowness. This is a traditionally rural sleepy country that cannot boast of large cities and a chic guide. But in Finland there is a unique charm of a secluded measured life that attracts tourists.

Rest in summer and winter, fishing, attractions

• Sveaborg - The naval fort of the XVIII century, on the territory of which historical, military and architectural museums are currently located.
• Karelian house in Imatra - The folklore museum in the open air about the life of the Sami in the 19th century.
• Tsarist cottage in Kotka -The house-museum of the family of Alexander III, the summer residence of the king and his environment. The original interior and personal belongings of the king have been preserved.
• Sculpture Park in Imatra - A section of the forest, in which about 500 sculptures of the Finnish artist Weie Renkkenen are exhibited. The sculptures are so bizarre and frightening that in general the park is impressed by a rather mystical place.

• Aleksanterinkat - Central Trading Street Helsniki, the most fashionable place of the capital of Finland.
• Valley of Moomi-Trolli - Thematic park, one of the best children's parks in the world. The park is inhabited by growth dolls-characters of the book, and its Landashft recreates the scene described in the tales of Tove Jansson.
• Fishing - Favorite entertainment of tourists on numerous lakes of Finland. Drinking catch is garanit. Particularly fanatical fishermen remove comfortable wooden cottages on the shores for two to three days to fully enjoy. You can find suitable houses and cottages on the site Booking.ru

What can be brought from Finland?

• Finnka (in the finish "Puckko")-a traditional hunting knife
• Figurine or souvenir with the image of the mummy-troll
• Kuksa - Finnish wooden mug
• Lacurine - Finnish sweets with a very strange taste
• Lapponia or Mint - branded berry and mint liquor
• Branded causals for the sauna

Denmark

Denmark is a small fairy -tale country, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. Of all the countries of Scandinavia, Denmark is the most interesting in terms of attractions and historical monuments.

The small size of Denmark allows you not to spend a lot of time traveling between cities. Wherever you stop, you will easily get to most Danish attractions. You can choose a suitable hotel for placement on the site Booking.com.

Rest, attractions of the Kingdom of Denmark

Amalienborg - The residence of the Danish kings who live there to this day. Despite the presence of monarchs, the palace is available for visiting tourists, though at different times and with some restrictions. Every day at noon in front of the palace, the ceremony of changing the guard is taking place.

There are two scenarios of the ceremony: solemn, if the royal couple is located in the palace (then the state flag is raised above it) and shortened if the queen with the family is away.

City Town Hall of Copenhagen - The highest building in the city. For the inspection, a colonnade is available, on the top of which you will have to go on a steep screw staircase, as well as some interior rooms, one of which stores the astronomical watches of Olsen - the most accurate clockwork in the world.

Christianshavn - The separate commune of Copenhagen, the “city in the city”, located in the historical fortress of the XVII century. The commune has its own rules and laws, for example, a ban on the movement of road transport, free sale of hemp. In fact, this is a large community of hippies, where it is interesting to look, but it is unlikely that you want to stay there: a light anarchy and unsanitary conditions reign throughout the territory of Christiania.

Numerous palaces and fortresses of Denmark: Odensa (monastery of the 15th century), Fredericksborg (Royal Palace and Knight Museum), Wallo (medieval shelter of the unprofanings, which is still operating), Kronborg (the place of the Shakespearean Hamlet), Sennerborg (fortress founded by Vladimir Monomakh Valdemar Velkim) , Hammershus (the oldest fortress of Denmark) and others.

The world of Andersen - A museum dedicated to the work of the Great Danish storyteller, as well as Andersen Museum in Odens - an exposition about the life and creative path of the writer. The museum has an interesting interactive exposition that allows visitors to feel like a hero of one of Andersen's fairy tales or plunge into the historical era of the times of writing fairy tales.

Ripley Museum "Believe or not" It is a richest private collection of awkward things, puzzles, ridiculous incidents, stupid stories and curious facts from around the world. This is the strangest museum collection, where they will tell you how to kill a vampire, show a cow with two heads, cheer up with sloppy jokes, talk about different types of bunches and surprise many other very sophisticated ways.

Museums and parks of Denmark: The National Picture Gallery of Copenhagen, the Museum of Torvaldsen (sculptures), the Glipoteus of Carlsberg (art objects of different eras), the Royal Library of Denmark, the National Museum of Denmark and others.
Entertainment parks: Legoland in Billunda (the largest thematic park in the world in which everything except attractions is built of LEGO details), and the Park of Tivoli (one of the oldest moon parks in Europe, where you can ride on the attractions of the late XIX-early XX centuries).

What to bring from Denmark?

• Gammel Dansk is a traditional local alcoholic drink that the Danes are consumed by and without: as an aperitif, with colds, for breakfast instead of coffee, in the heat for cooling and so on
• Danish marzipans are branded sweets, which are produced here in huge quantities and in different versions
• Danish cheeses, especially "Dana" - frustrated cheese with blue mold
• The best in New Year's jewelry in the world
• LEGO branded sets and designers
• Hand-made jewelry of very high quality and scandinavian original design

Iceland

In many ways, Iceland deserves the epithet “most” - the highest prices throughout Europe, the most fascinating landscapes, the most closed lifestyle, the most strange and mysterious traditions, the most blonde blondes, and the northernmost country of Europe.

Rest and attractions in Iceland

• Town Hall Reykjavika - A strange futuristic building of the city administration, in the premises of which exhibitions, cultural events and concerts are often held. Here you can see a unique 3D card of Iceland
• Tingwellir - National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Object

• Hudlgrimskirky - Lutheran Church, the modern architecture of which is designed to hit the guests of Reykjavik in a futuristic style, but in reality, it seems, causes aesthetic shock
• Imagine PEACE (Imagine) - A unique monument on the Yoko project, which she simultaneously devoted to her husband, the song “Imagine” and all the people of the planet. The construction is a concrete well, on the walls of which the inscription “Imagine Peace” (imagine the world) in different languages \u200b\u200bof the world is knocked out, and from the depths of the well, powerful spotlights direct the vertical rays of light, which create an optical column that goes into heaven

• Esya - Ancient extinct volcano on the outskirts of Reykjavik, which is considered the patron saint of the city (unlike other Europeans, whose patrons are completely saints, Icelanders remained faithful to their pagan roots)
• Perlan - The cultural center and part -time operating boiler room (which the Icelanders will not come up with) is the most fashionable platform in Reykjavik for cultural feuds. There is also a restaurant, shops, a museum and a winter garden

Video. Iceland

Video. Denmark, Copenhagen

Video. Norway

Video. Finland, Lapland

Video. Sweden: 10 interesting facts