Great value Scandinavian tours for 2026

Discover great value Scandinavian tours for the new year, offering thoughtfully designed journeys with more inclusions, fewer crowds and unforgettable experiences across the Nordics and Baltics.

Thoughtfully designed journeys with more included, fewer crowds and exceptional seasonal value

Travelling to Scandinavia outside peak summer often means better availability, quieter landscapes and more included experiences – without compromising on quality. Our great value journeys focus on smart routing, shoulder-season travel and carefully selected accommodation that delivers depth and comfort at an accessible price point.

Here are some of our standout great value itineraries for the year ahead.

Northern Norway and the Arctic coast

Local life, dramatic seascapes and the Northern Lights

Northern Norway remains one of the most rewarding regions for travellers seeking raw nature and a strong sense of place. These itineraries deliver particularly strong value through efficient routing, scenic coastal transport and experiences that feel immersive rather than rushed.

Iconic Midnight Sun

This escorted summer journey offers great value by covering Northern Norway’s highlights efficiently, with guiding, transport and accommodation included under continuous daylight.

Best for: Travellers wanting maximum scenery and experiences in a set timeframe.

Local Secrets of Northern Norway

This independent journey through Lofoten and the Helgeland coast offers outstanding value by combining traditional rorbu accommodation, island stays and scenic coastal transport. With guided experiences included and minimal time wasted on backtracking, it’s an ideal option for travellers wanting a rich Northern Norway experience without premium summer pricing.

Best for: independent travellers, nature lovers, shoulder-season travel.

Local Secrets of Northern Norway with Northern Lights

By travelling outside peak holiday periods and staying in locally run accommodation, this winter itinerary delivers excellent aurora opportunities at strong value. Overnight coastal voyages and island locations reduce light pollution, while included guided activities mean fewer add-on costs once you arrive.

Best for: Northern Lights seekers, winter travellers, value-conscious couples.

Autumn Senja, Wildlife and Auroras

Based on the dramatic island of Senja, this autumn itinerary combines wildlife encounters, fjord landscapes and Northern Lights potential. A strong choice for travellers wanting to experience Northern Norway before deep winter arrives.

Finnish and Swedish Lapland

Seasonal magic from autumn colour to Christmas

Lapland offers far more than winter snow. Travelling in autumn or outside the busiest festive weeks often delivers better value, stronger Northern Lights conditions and a more relaxed experience overall.

Rovaniemi and glass igloo escape in the autumn

Autumn offers one of the best-value ways to experience a glass igloo stay in Lapland. This itinerary pairs forest landscapes, cultural encounters and early aurora chances, without the crowds or Christmas pricing. A great introduction to Lapland for first-time visitors.

Best for: first-timers to Lapland, autumn travellers, couples.

Autumn Aurora Safari in Swedish Lapland

This compact itinerary is designed to maximise Northern Lights potential in a short timeframe. Wilderness-based accommodation, expert guiding and strong autumn aurora conditions make this a high-impact, great value choice for travellers with limited time.

Best for: short holidays, aurora-focused trips, shoulder-season travel.

Autumn Northern Lights in the Arctic

A compact Arctic journey offering excellent Northern Lights potential, remote wilderness stays and guided experiences at a lower shoulder-season price point.

Best for: Aurora seekers wanting strong value without peak winter pricing.

Lapland Christmas Adventure

This carefully structured Christmas itinerary includes full board, winter activities and a private Santa experience, reducing unexpected costs once in destination. By staying outside the busiest Lapland hubs, it offers better value than many peak Christmas alternatives.

Best for: families seeking a calmer Christmas experience with inclusions.

Finland: city, lakes and culture

Urban design meets deep nature

Southern Finland offers an appealing balance of culture, architecture and forested landscapes, with several itineraries delivering excellent value by minimising travel time while maximising contrast.

Helsinki and boutique lake lodge stay

This itinerary delivers strong value by combining privately guided Helsinki sightseeing with a peaceful lodge stay close to the city, minimising travel time while maximising experience.

Best for: Travellers wanting city culture balanced with easy-access nature.

Helsinki and lakeside cabin experience

Staying in a private lakeside cabin with sauna offers exceptional value, particularly for families or small groups. This itinerary balances time in Helsinki with a true Finnish cottage experience, reducing dining and activity costs while delivering a highly authentic stay.

Best for: families, small groups, summer and early autumn travel.

Helsinki and Porvoo culture and heritage getaway

A cost-effective cultural escape pairing Finland’s capital with historic Porvoo, offering rich heritage experiences without the expense of long-distance travel.

Best for: Culture-focused travellers seeking a relaxed, short break.

Norway: city and forest retreats

Contemporary culture paired with immersive wilderness

These journeys offer strong value by combining city experiences with nearby nature, avoiding long internal travel while still delivering a sense of escape.

Oslo and the PAN Treetop Cabins

By pairing Oslo with a short forest escape, this itinerary delivers a memorable nature experience without the cost of long internal flights. Meals, activities and guiding are included at the treetop cabins, offering strong overall value for a design-focused escape.

Best for: couples, design lovers, short breaks with impact.

Denmark: design, food and heritage

Effortless travel with strong local character

Denmark’s compact geography makes it ideal for great value itineraries, with short distances allowing more time for experiences and fewer logistical costs.

Copenhagen, castles and seaside stay

A well-balanced Denmark itinerary that offers excellent value through short travel distances, flexible pacing and a mix of city, castle and coastal stays.

Best for: First-time visitors to Denmark wanting variety without rushing.

Culinary Copenhagen and castle stay

A premium-feel experience that offers strong value by bundling standout dining, historic castle accommodation and city time into one seamless itinerary.

Best for: Food lovers seeking a refined yet well-priced Nordic escape.

Gourmet and heritage self-drive in Denmark

Travelling by self-drive keeps costs manageable while allowing access to Denmark’s regional food culture, countryside and historic towns at your own pace.

Best for: Independent travellers who value flexibility and local flavour.

The Baltics: compact, cultural and quietly beautiful

Perfect for travellers seeking depth without distance

The Baltic States continue to offer some of the best value travel in Northern Europe, combining rich history, boutique accommodation and excellent dining at a more accessible price point.

Charming Riga

Riga remains one of the strongest value destinations in Northern Europe. This itinerary offers boutique accommodation, rich history and excellent dining at a lower cost than many Nordic capitals, making it ideal for travellers wanting culture without high daily expenses.

Best for: city break travellers, culture lovers, shorter stays.

Tallinn and island heritage escape

By combining Tallinn with Saaremaa and Muhu Island, this itinerary offers exceptional value through variety and included transport. Island accommodation and slower pacing provide a high-quality experience without premium pricing.

Best for: travellers wanting culture and nature in one trip.

Vilnius castles and ancient capitals

With private guiding, day trips and even hot-air ballooning included, this Lithuania itinerary offers excellent value for travellers seeking depth and distinctive experiences, all within a compact and affordable journey.

Best for: culturally curious travellers, history lovers.

Iceland and Greenland

Landscapes shaped by extremes

Travelling in winter or shoulder seasons allows these remote destinations to offer stronger value, with inclusions and expert guiding making a significant difference.

South Iceland landscapes and Northern Lights

This winter journey focuses on inclusions that matter – expert guiding, private transport and carefully chosen accommodation – delivering strong value for travellers wanting to see Iceland efficiently and safely during the aurora season.

Best for: couples, winter travellers, photography-focused trips.

Discover Greenland’s winter wonders in Nuuk

An accessible and well-priced introduction to Greenland, combining Arctic culture, winter activities and Northern Lights opportunities without extensive internal travel.

Best for: Curious travellers wanting a first taste of Greenland in winter.

Why these journeys offer great value

Great value in Scandinavian travel is not about cutting corners – it is about travelling smarter. These journeys are carefully designed to deliver more experience for your time and budget, without compromising on comfort, authenticity or quality.

Many of these itineraries take place in shoulder seasons, when landscapes are just as beautiful, Northern Lights conditions are often stronger, and accommodation availability is better. Travelling at these times allows for quieter experiences and more favourable pricing, particularly in destinations that are in high demand during peak summer or Christmas.

Value also comes from what is included. Thoughtful routing reduces unnecessary travel days, while local transport, guided experiences and selected meals are built into the itinerary, helping avoid unexpected costs once you arrive. In destinations such as Lapland, Northern Norway and Greenland, inclusions like winter activities, transfers and specialist guiding add significant value compared to booking independently.

Accommodation choices play a key role too. Rather than focusing solely on luxury, these journeys prioritise well-located boutique hotels, locally run lodges and self-contained stays that offer comfort, character and often better overall value – especially for couples, families or small groups.

Finally, each itinerary reflects 50 Degrees North’s long-standing local expertise. By working directly with trusted regional partners and designing journeys that flow naturally, these tours avoid unnecessary mark-ups and deliver a more seamless experience from start to finish.

The result is travel that feels considered, immersive and rewarding – offering genuine value in how much you experience, not just what you pay.