Denmark Cruise from Copenhagen to Reykjavík — 18 Days

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is best explored at street level, where royal history meets modern design. At Nyhavn, colorful harbor-front houses frame canal tours; nearby Amalienborg Palace is the monarch’s winter residence. Christiansborg Palace combines Denmark’s parliament with historic royal rooms, while Christianshavn’s canals reveal a quieter side. Pause for smørrebrød, the open-faced rye-bread staple, and explore the city’s design shops before returning to port.

Bergen, Norway

Set between seven mountains and the North Sea, Bergen makes a graceful introduction to Norway’s western fjords. Its handsome harbour, Bryggen’s timber wharf and the fish market sit close together, easily explored on foot. Ride the Fløibanen funicular for a clear view across the city and islands, then linger over fresh seafood. Bergen is compact, cultured and an ideal place to begin a journey into fjord country.

Geiranger, Norway

Geiranger sits at the head of a fjord framed by sheer mountains and falling waterfalls. Its deep blue waters form part of the UNESCO-listed West Norwegian Fjords, among Norway’s most striking landscapes. From the village, boat trips reveal the Seven Sisters and the Suitor, waterfalls facing across the fjord. For sweeping views, drive or take a coach to Ørnesvingen or Flydalsjuvet; the valley’s scale comes into focus.

Hellesylt, Norway

Hellesylt sits at the head of Sunnylvsfjorden, framed by steep mountains. The Hellesylt waterfall cuts through the village, close enough to hear from the streets. From the quay, ferries cross the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord to Geiranger, passing cliffs, waterfalls and abandoned mountain farms. The crossing reveals the fjord’s scale from water level. Ashore, follow paths beside the falls or climb above the village for a wider view.

Alesund, Norway

Ålesund makes an immediate impression: its waterfront is lined with Art Nouveau buildings, rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904. Beyond the elegant façades, this is a working Norwegian port framed by islands and steep mountain peaks. Climb the 418 steps to Mount Aksla for a sweeping view across the town and Sunnmøre Alps. Then visit the Atlantic Sea-Park, one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums.

Lerwick

Lerwick feels more like a North Atlantic outpost than a Scottish port, with stone-fronted streets facing a working harbour. Shetland’s capital rewards a stroll along the waterfront and through narrow lanes. The Lodberrie, an eighteenth-century merchant’s house built partly over the sea, is one of its most distinctive landmarks. Visit Shetland Museum and Archives for the islands’ Norse heritage and contemporary life. Beyond town, open moorland, sea cliffs and wildlife offer a striking change of scale.

Kirkwall

Kirkwall is Orkney’s compact capital, where Norse history remains part of everyday life. Begin at St Magnus Cathedral, a striking red-sandstone landmark founded in 1137. Nearby, the ruins of the Earl’s and Bishop’s palaces reveal the power once held here. Beyond town, prehistoric sites such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar make a compelling excursion. Leave time for the harbor, local shops, and a dram of island whisky.

Torshavn

Tórshavn is one of the world’s smallest capitals, yet it offers a revealing introduction to the Faroe Islands. Begin at Tinganes, where red-painted timber buildings cluster on a narrow headland beside the harbor. The Løgting, the Faroese parliament, meets nearby, continuing a political tradition rooted in the islands’ Norse past. In the compact center, cafés, shops and museums offer an easy pause before the Atlantic’s open horizons reclaim your attention.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavík is a capital with one foot in the wild. The Atlantic frames the city, volcanic mountains rise on the horizon, and geothermal water warms its pools. Start at Hallgrímskirkja, whose tower commands broad views, then walk down to the harbor and Harpa concert hall. Cafés, design shops, and museums make the compact center easy to explore on foot. Beyond town, geysers and waterfalls make a striking day trip; return for a soak in a neighborhood pool.

Grundarfjordur, Iceland

Grundarfjörður sits on the north shore of Iceland's Snæfellsnes peninsula, a fishing village beneath steep mountains. Its signature sight is Kirkjufell, a 463-metre peak shaped like an arrowhead. Walk or drive to Kirkjufellsfoss, where cascades frame the mountain. Further west, Snæfellsjökull glacier crowns a volcano and the national park around it. Weather changes quickly here, so bring warm, waterproof layers. Come for scale, silence and light.

Isafjordur, Iceland

Ísafjörður is the Westfjords’ principal town, set between a sheltered harbor and steep, often snow-streaked mountains. Walk its compact center to see colorful timber houses, then visit the Westfjords Heritage Museum in the historic harbor district. Its exhibits trace the fishing trade that shaped life along Iceland’s remote western coast. Beyond town, dramatic fjord scenery unfolds along winding roads. With a full day ashore, consider the drive to Dynjandi, one of the region’s most striking waterfalls.

Husavik, Iceland

Húsavík sits on Skjálfandi Bay, where whale-watching boats search for whales and other marine life. The compact center is easy to explore on foot, from the harbor to the 1907 Húsavíkurkirkja. At the Húsavík Whale Museum, exhibits trace the region’s close ties to the sea. For a different view, GeoSea’s seawater baths look out across the bay toward the Arctic horizon.

Seydisfjordur, Iceland

Seyðisfjörður sits at the end of a deep fjord, framed by steep mountains and waterfalls. Its colorful wooden houses and blue church give the small town a character unlike Iceland’s larger ports. Walk the rainbow-painted street, visit the Skaftfell arts centre, or follow trails toward nearby cascades. The road over Fjarðarheiði offers wide views, though weather can change quickly. Here, East Iceland feels close, quiet, and distinctly local.

Heimaey Island Iceland (Scenic Stop)

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavík is a capital with one foot in the wild. The Atlantic frames the city, volcanic mountains rise on the horizon, and geothermal water warms its pools. Start at Hallgrímskirkja, whose tower commands broad views, then walk down to the harbor and Harpa concert hall. Cafés, design shops, and museums make the compact center easy to explore on foot. Beyond town, geysers and waterfalls make a striking day trip; return for a soak in a neighborhood pool.