Our vacation planning specialists have designed this exclusive 8-day journey as the perfect introduction to Finland and Denmark. From Helsinki’s coastal sophistication and Copenhagen’s royal grandeur, to lakeside villages and fairytale castles, each day is thoughtfully designed with three privately guided activities that showcase the region’s best.
With seamless transfers, handpicked accommodations, and your own driver-guide throughout, this itinerary offers the perfect balance of comfort and luxury as you explore Finland and Denmark with us.
Destinations on Our Finland & Denmark 8-Day Tour
Day 2: Suomenlinna & Helsinki Coastline, Finland
Day 4: Helsinki (morning), Copenhagen (afternoon), Denmark
Day 6: North Zealand (Frederiksborg, Kronborg & Helsingør), Denmark
Day 8: Departure from Copenhagen
Day 1: Arrival in Helsinki – Orientation, Old Town & Design Icons
Welcome to Finland’s vibrant capital, where Nordic sophistication meets timeless charm. Your private guide ensures a seamless start as you settle into the rhythm of Helsinki.
Private Airport Pickup & Scenic Orientation Drive
Upon arrival at Helsinki Airport, your private driver-guide will greet you for a smooth and comfortable transfer into the city.
As you make your way through leafy boulevards and coastal roads, enjoy an overview of Helsinki’s key districts, local customs, and restaurant suggestions tailored to your tastes. It’s the perfect way to ease into your journey and get a feel for the city’s refined, minimalist aesthetic.
Guided Walking Tour of Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral & the Old Market Hall
After check-in and a short rest, begin your afternoon with a privately guided walk through Senate Square, the heart of historic Helsinki. Admire the neoclassical architecture of the Government Palace and Helsinki Cathedral, whose white domes tower above cobbled streets.
Then, continue to the Old Market Hall, where your guide will introduce you to Finnish delicacies—perhaps a taste of smoked salmon, cloudberry jam, or traditional rye pastries—as you mingle with locals and artisans.
Temppeliaukio Rock Church & the Esplanadi Design District
Your first day concludes with a visit to one of Helsinki’s most remarkable modern landmarks: the Temppeliaukio Church, carved directly into solid rock and crowned with a copper dome.
Step inside to experience the serene atmosphere and extraordinary acoustics that make this space the perfect altar for worship, and then latterly also as a concert venue.
From there, stroll along Esplanadi Park, lined with boutiques and flagship stores of renowned Finnish designers like Marimekko and Iittala. Your guide will highlight iconic pieces of Scandinavian design and share the story of how Helsinki became a UNESCO City of Design. Return to your hotel or let your guide recommend a stylish bistro for your first Nordic dinner.
Day 2: Helsinki’s History & Coastal Highlights
Well rested after your first night in Finland, you will rise on day 2, ready to explore Finland’s storied past and traditional culture with a mix of island heritage, folk life, and Nordic cuisine.
Private Ferry to Suomenlinna Fortress
Start your day with a scenic ferry ride to Suomenlinna, a sea fortress that spans several islands in Helsinki’s harbor. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the 18th century and was once a strategic military base under Swedish and Russian rule.
With your private guide, explore winding stone pathways, ancient bunkers, and cannons overlooking the sea. Visit the Suomenlinna Museum and hear tales of naval battles, soldier life, and how the island transformed from a fortification to a peaceful artistic enclave.
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
Back on the mainland, continue to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, set on a tranquil island covered in forest. Your guide will walk you through historic wooden farmhouses, chapels, and cottages relocated here from across Finland—each furnished to reflect daily life from the 18th to early 20th centuries.
As you move between thatched roofs and timber walls, learn about rural Finnish traditions, wedding rituals, and folklore.
Curated Nordic Tasting at a Fine-Dining Restaurant
Conclude your day with a private tasting menu at one of Helsinki’s acclaimed Nordic restaurants. Whether in a Michelin-starred dining room or a boutique chef-owned kitchen, your evening features innovative takes on regional ingredients—such as Arctic char, foraged mushrooms, or reindeer with lingonberry.
Your guide can accompany you for context or arrange a quiet transfer, ensuring a relaxed and memorable culinary experience that connects tradition with contemporary flair.
Day 3: Day Trip to Porvoo
Step back in time with a day trip to Porvoo, one of Finland’s oldest towns, where centuries-old wooden houses, artisanal boutiques, and peaceful riverside views create a storybook setting.
Private Drive to Porvoo & Guided Walk Through the Old Town
Depart Helsinki in the morning with your private driver-guide for a scenic 50-minute journey east to Porvoo. Upon arrival, explore the charming cobbled lanes of the Old Town, framed by ochre-colored wooden buildings and the town’s iconic red boathouses along the Porvoonjoki River.
Your guide will share the town’s fascinating past—from its medieval origins to its connections with Finnish national poet J. L. Runeberg. Stop at the Porvoo Cathedral, dating back to the 13th century, and enjoy photo stops from panoramic viewpoints over the riverside quarter.
Visit to Artisan Studio – Chocolate or Handicrafts
Porvoo is a hub for independent makers, and today includes a hands-on experience at a local artisan studio. Depending on your interest, you may join a chocolate workshop at a small-batch chocolatier, sample and craft your truffles, or visit a woodturning or textile studio where traditional Finnish craft meets contemporary design.
This personal, tactile experience offers a deeper connection to the region’s creative soul and makes for a lovely, meaningful souvenir.
Lunch at a Manor House or Lakeside Café
Your guide will then bring you to a historic manor house or a charming lakeside café for a relaxed lunch made with local ingredients. Enjoy seasonal dishes—perhaps lake fish, foraged mushrooms, or traditional rye flatbread—with views of the surrounding countryside.
After lunch, you’ll have time to wander Porvoo’s quaint shops or riverside promenade before your private return drive to Helsinki, where the evening is yours to enjoy.
Day 4: Helsinki to Copenhagen
Today brings a graceful shift between two Nordic capitals—blending a relaxed Helsinki morning with your first taste of Copenhagen’s vibrant elegance.
Morning at Leisure or Private Visit to Ateneum Art Museum
Spend your final hours in Finland as you wish: enjoy a slow breakfast by the harbor, browse design shops, or join your guide for a private tour of the Ateneum Art Museum, home to Finland’s national art collection. You’ll find works by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Helene Schjerfbeck, and other Nordic masters who helped define the country’s identity through brush and canvas.
Your guide will ensure timing is seamless, offering assistance with luggage and checkout before your transfer.
Private Transfer to Airport & Flight to Copenhagen
At the appropriate time, your driver-guide will take you to Helsinki Airport for your short international flight to Denmark. Upon arrival in Copenhagen, you’ll be met by your Danish guide and transferred privately to your hotel, where check-in and luggage handling are arranged in advance for your comfort.
Afternoon Orientation Walk: Nyhavn, Amalienborg & The Waterfront
Begin your Danish chapter with a private orientation walk through central Copenhagen. Stroll along the iconic Nyhavn canal, lined with colorful townhouses and moored wooden boats, then continue to Amalienborg Palace, home to the Danish royal family. Your guide will share stories of royal history, architectural highlights, and local life.
Finish with a walk past the Opera House and Copenhagen waterfront, where sleek modern buildings meet the soft sounds of lapping water—an introduction to the city’s seamless blend of old and new. Return to your hotel or let your guide recommend a nearby bistro to toast your arrival in Denmark.
Day 5: Copenhagen – Royal Residences & Local Living
Today, you’ll experience Copenhagen’s regal splendor and everyday pleasures—from Renaissance jewels to buzzing food halls and tranquil canals.
Guided Tour of Rosenborg Castle & Danish Crown Jewels
Begin your morning with a private guided tour of Rosenborg Castle, a fairytale fortress set in the heart of Copenhagen’s King’s Garden. Built by King Christian IV in the 17th century, the castle now houses one of the most important collections of royal artifacts in Scandinavia.
Your guide will walk you through lavish rooms filled with tapestries, portraits, and intricate furnishings before leading you to the Crown Jewels—a dazzling collection of tiaras, scepters, and coronation regalia housed in the treasury below.
Stroll and Tasting at Torvehallerne Market
Next, join your guide for a culinary experience at Torvehallerne, Copenhagen’s celebrated indoor food market.
As you stroll through the vibrant stalls, you’ll sample a curated selection of Danish flavors—perhaps open-faced smørrebrød, artisanal cheeses, cured meats, or seasonal pastries—all handpicked by your guide.
Evening Canal Boat Tour & Maritime Stories
In the evening, board a private canal boat for a relaxing cruise through Copenhagen’s scenic waterways. Drift past the spires of Christianshavn, beneath low-arched bridges, and alongside the Opera House and Royal Library as your guide shares stories of the city’s maritime history, naval legends, and architectural transformation.
As the golden evening light reflects off the water, you’ll see why Copenhagen is often called the “Venice of the North”.
Day 6: North Zealand Castle Loop
Venture beyond the capital for a private journey through Denmark’s most impressive castles, dramatic coastlines, and cultural gems.
Frederiksborg Castle & the Museum of National History
Depart Copenhagen in your private vehicle for a scenic drive to Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark’s largest Renaissance palace. Surrounded by gardens and lake views, the castle is home to the Museum of National History, where your guide will lead you through grand halls, royal portraits, and ornate chapels.
Admire baroque interiors and masterpieces by Danish painters, gaining insight into the monarchy, reformations, and legends that shaped the nation. Don’t miss the terraces, especially the formal baroque garden, restored to its 18th-century design.
Kronborg Castle (Hamlet’s Elsinore) & Coastal Walk
Continue to Kronborg Castle, perched dramatically at the narrowest point of the Øresund Strait. Immortalized as Elsinore in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this fortress exudes history and theatrical legend.
Our team will arrange a private tour for you to delve deeper into the fortress’s dungeons, ramparts, and royal apartments as you uncover the real stories behind the literary fame.
After the castle, take a coastal walk along Helsingør’s harbor, with views across the sea to Sweden and the city’s vibrant maritime culture.
Scenic Stop in Helsingør or Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Enjoy a final curated stop depending on your interests on your return to Copenhagen. Choose a visit to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, set above the sea with cutting-edge exhibitions and sculpture gardens, or a relaxed stroll through Helsingør’s old town, with cafés, shops, and harbor views.
Whichever you choose, your guide ensures a thoughtful end to the day, arriving back in the city with time to enjoy dinner at leisure or with a local recommendation.
Day 7: Culture & Gardens in Copenhagen
Your final full day in Denmark offers a rich mix of regal history, world-class art, and whimsical beauty.
Visit to Christiansborg Palace
Begin the morning with a private tour of Christiansborg Palace, a historical complex that houses the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court, and royal staterooms. With your guide, step inside the Royal Reception Rooms, used by the monarchy for official functions. Walk beneath glittering chandeliers and across handwoven tapestries as you hear about centuries of Danish political and royal life.
Don’t miss the palace tower, the tallest in Copenhagen, offering panoramic views across the city rooftops.
Private Tour of Tivoli Gardens – History, Architecture & Magic
Next, head to Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world and a Danish cultural treasure. On a private walking tour, your guide will reveal the park’s origins from 1843, its influence on Walt Disney, and its role in Copenhagen’s creative evolution.
As you stroll past lakes, historic pavilions, and flower-lined paths, discover hidden corners and insider stories that most visitors miss. Whether or not you choose to ride the vintage carousel or rollercoaster, Tivoli offers an enchanting blend of nostalgia, beauty, and joy.
Visit to SMK or Curated Gallery Tour
In the afternoon, choose between a private visit to the Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK) – Denmark’s National Gallery – or a curated experience through contemporary art galleries in central Copenhagen. At SMK, explore works by Danish masters like Hammershøi and Eckersberg, as well as European classics and modern exhibitions.
Alternatively, your guide can lead you through independent art spaces showcasing bold Nordic design, photography, or conceptual installations, depending on your tastes and interests.
Return to your hotel in the early evening with time to prepare for your final dinner in the city—perhaps with one of your guide’s insider recommendations for a special farewell meal.
Day 8: Departure from Copenhagen
Your final day is designed for comfort and flexibility, with options to reflect, revisit, or simply relax.
Enjoy a slow morning at your own pace, with your driver-guide on standby for a final walk through Rosenborg Castle Gardens, a visit to your favorite café, or last-minute shopping in the city’s design boutiques. If you’d like to return to a museum or revisit Nyhavn, your guide will tailor your morning to your preferences and flight timing.
Private Airport Transfer & Departure Assistance
Should your flight be later in the day, we’re happy to arrange late hotel checkout, a final guided lunch stop, or VIP airport lounge access to extend your comfort until the very last moment.
