We’ll take you the length of a one of the oldest and most pleasant European roads: the Royal Road or the Scandinavian King’s Road.

Originally established in the 13th century as a postal route, the King’s Road was a very important connection between the Nordic kingdoms. It was used by merchants, artists and pilgrims, but also by several kings, whence the name we call it today. The use of the road by travelers for such diverse reasons has made for a very interesting mix in this part of Europe.

The journey will take you from Bergen in Norway all the way to St. Petersburg in Russia, passing through Oslo in Norway, Stockholm in Sweden, and Turku in Finland, traveling through superbly beautiful countryside, fascinating villages and past fortresses, medieval chateaux and incredible churches.

How to visit

One aspect of this route is that it isn’t a fixed itinerary, but an assortment of different routes. Thus, you’ll be at liberty to select the points of interest most intriguing to you and to plan your own course along the King’s Road.

It is accessible by car, train, bus, boat or on foot; for the courageous, since the route is also equipped with a good network of bike paths, cycling fans can visit it under the power of the pedal!

Similarly, there are all types of places to stay, ranging from luxury hotels to B&Bs and self-catering cottages, offering a choice for every budget.

The villages along the King’s Road make a great effort to emphasize both historic and cultural sites, yet offering at the same time all modern day comforts. The love of the past, well anchored in the present!

Itinerary - Norway

Let’s start our tour in Norway at the western extremity of the Royal Road: Bergen. The second largest city and second most important port of Norway, Bergen has a lot to offer. An old Hanseatic city, rich in history, it is comfortably nestled among seven hills on the border of the Puddefjord. Bergen is considered to be the doorway to Fjord Country. Be sure to take a walk along the port, in the old Hanseatic quarter of Bryggen, where tiny lanes are lined with ancient houses of colored wood, examples of unique medieval Norwegian architecture. In addition, this picturesque neighborhood is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city also has two lakes, one of which is in the center of the city. Take one of the two cable cars to enjoy an aerial view of the city and its surroundings!

Continue on our lovely walk to Balestrand, a magnificent tourist haven in magnificent surroundings, at a point where several fjords meet. Under no circumstances should you miss visiting the Sognefjord, the longest and largest of the Norwegian fjords. A typical place for a short stop is at Kvikne’s Hotel, dating from 1752, where many kings and tsars stayed in their time.

Crossing towards the east, we continue along the fjord via sites such as Leikanger, Hermansverk and Sogndal, which offer incredible fjord views. In the valley of Laerdal and in the alpine village of Hemsedal, you’ll be amazed by the Ice Falls. At Laerdal don’t miss one of Norway’s architectural jewels, the Stavekirke, or Stave Church.

Our next stop is Oslo, on the edge of the fjord of the same name. Oslo is truly an example of a capital city where nature and culture make a great partnership: The capital is surrounded by hills, approximately forty islands (including the Malmøya Island), forests and more than 300 lakes. The city center provides a wide array of cultural opportunities: Museums, including the famous Viking Ship Museum, the Fram Museum, and the Frognerpark, entirely decorated with sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, Norway’s most famous sculptor.

Itinerary - Sweden

Crossing the border into Sweden, you pass alongside Lake Vanern (the biggest lake in the country) and through the charming city of Karlstad to arrive in the capital, Stockholm.

Situated on the border of the Baltic Sea, the city is constructed on fourteen islands, giving the impression that Stockholm is a floating city: hence its alias as “the Venice of the North”!

Here you’ll find all sorts of cultural opportunities, such as museums, theaters and the opera. At the Vasa Museum you can admire a superbly conserved royal ship from the 17th century. Skansen is the oldest open air museum in the world, where you can learn how the Swedes lived in ancient times. The old medieval center of Gamla Stamm, situated on an island, has preserved its lanes, its pedestrian streets, its colored houses and Tre Kroner, the Castle of the Three Crowns.

Another must is to take time (as did all our ancestors on the Royal Road) to explore the Stockholm archipelago: 24,000 islands with their beaches and inlets offer you a holiday as active or passive as you wish. You can swim, play sports or fish for very impressive trout!

Itinerary - Finland

Once you’ve navigated to your satisfaction in the Baltic archipelago, it will be time to cross a new border and arrive in Finland, via the Aland Islands. This archipelago of 6,500 beautiful islands is the home of one of Finland’s oldest churches, dating from the 12th century.

Turku is very proud to be the oldest city in the country, and to have been its capital for a lengthy period, until 1812. Today, Turku is a beautiful, lively city with complex economic and culture life.

In the region between Turku and Helsinki, it’s imperative that you see one of the medieval churches, perhaps those of Inkoo and the ruins of Raseborg Castle at Snappertuna. Old Europa Nostra, priced ironworks villages Billnäs and Fiskars, together with Mustio form a visitors MUST combination, rewarding the visitor with unique handicrafts, classy exhibitions and tremendous history. The city of Espoo, second-largest in Finland, also holds plenty of cultural attractions to interest you. Be sure to stop in!

Helsinki, the country’s sophisticated and cosmopolitan capital city, attracts visitors largely thanks to its cultural offer. The city is full of contrasts: at the same time European and very Russian, it happily combines the architectural styles of many different kinds and eras. Take a walk around the port on the Gulf of Finland, where you can visit typical markets. This is also the embarkation point for ships going to Tallinn (Estonia) or St. Petersburg (Russia).

Loviissa, in the Gulf of Finland, is a fortified wooden city from the 18th century. Porvoo, established in the 14th century and the second oldest city in Finland, is renowned for its medieval church and town which features a row of interesting storehouses along the river bank. Out at sea, you’ll find the sea fortification of Svartholma and a unique fishing village on the island of Kaunissaari, to which you can take a day tour, for example from Kotka harbour. The Russian Tsars’ fishing Lodge in Kotka and a military fortification in Hamina are two of the historic sites that are both worth a visit.

Our journey across the Gulf of Finland will take us, finally, to Russia and the sumptuous city of St. Petersburg, which also bears the nickname “the Venice of the North”.

Traversed by numerous canals and the well-known river the Neva, this very old and highly historic city of culture will make a perfect finish to your discovery of the King’s Road.