Centuries of seafaring, design, and café culture thread through Northern Europe. In ten days, you can trace bright canal houses to island museums and on to a fortified medieval city where church spires still set the skyline. Copenhagen brings bicycles and smørrebrød; Stockholm, royal history and waterfront museums; Tallinn, a brilliantly preserved Old Town and contemporary creative scene.

These three cities are compact, walkable, and well-connected by train, short flights, and ferries. You’ll ride Scandinavia’s speedy rails, sip fika in Stockholm, and end in Tallinn’s cobbled lanes and new-wave breweries. Expect spotless transit, card-friendly payments, and tap water you can drink with confidence.

Pack layers—weather shifts quickly—even in summer. Book trains and flights early for lower fares, and consider a Copenhagen bike day, Stockholm’s transport card, and Tallinn’s value-driven dining to keep your mid-range budget in check. For flights to or within Europe, compare options on Omio; for long-haul into Europe, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Copenhagen

Once a Viking fishing village, Copenhagen today is a design-forward city of canals, copper spires, and everyday cycling. You’ll find royal palaces, playful contemporary cuisine, and neighborhood “bro” districts full of bakeries and natural wine bars. It’s compact, clean, and eminently bikeable.

Top sights include Rosenborg Castle’s crown jewels, Christiansborg’s tower views, the Round Tower’s spiral ramp, and a breezy canal cruise past Nyhavn’s kaleidoscopic facades. Food-wise, smørrebrød (open-faced rye sandwiches) and new Nordic kitchens set the rhythm—along with world-class coffee.

Where to stay: Search deals on Hotels.com (Copenhagen) or space-rich flats on VRBO (Copenhagen). Look around Indre By for walkability, Vesterbro for nightlife, and Østerbro for calmer, residential vibes.

Getting in: Compare flights to Copenhagen on Omio (intra-Europe) or long-haul on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From CPH to the center, take the metro (15 minutes) or train to København H.

Day 1 — Arrive Copenhagen

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs on the waterfront at Nyhavn. Grab first bites at Aamanns 1921 for refined smørrebrød (try herring with curry salad or roast beef with remoulade), or budget-friendly Gasoline Grill for a top-tier burger in a minimalist setting.

Evening: Take a 1-hour canal tour from Gammel Strand for an easy city primer. Dinner at Höst brings seasonal Nordic plates under warm, rustic beams; for a lighter tab, head to District Tonkin for bright Vietnamese street food. Nightcap at Ved Stranden 10 for natural wine by the canal.

Day 2 — Royal Copenhagen and Food Halls

Morning: Coffee at Coffee Collective (Torvehallerne) and a flaky spandauer pastry. Visit Rosenborg Castle (approx. DKK 135) for royal regalia, then stroll the King’s Garden. Climb the Round Tower’s 17th-century ramp for a city panorama.

Afternoon: Lunch at Torvehallerne: sample smørrebrød at Hallernes, tacos at Hija de Sanchez, or Danish fish cakes at Fiskerikajen. Walk past the Parliament to Christiansborg Tower (free view; security line varies). Explore canalside Christianshavn; if curious about Freetown Christiania, stick to main art-filled lanes and avoid the now-closed Pusher Street area.

Evening: Dinner in the Meatpacking District (Kødbyen): Kødbyens Fiskebar for pristine seafood or Mother for sourdough pizza. Beer lovers: WarPigs Brewpub pours house IPAs and smokehouse plates. If energy remains, see Tivoli Gardens’ old-world lights (ride pass extra; seasonal hours).

Day 3 — Castles and Coast or Bike the “Bros”

Morning: Option A: Train to Helsingør (45 minutes) for Kronborg Castle (Hamlet’s castle; DKK 145). Option B: Rent bikes and circuit Frederiksberg Gardens, Assistens Cemetery (Hans Christian Andersen’s resting place), and Jægersborggade’s indie boutiques.

Afternoon: If on the coast, stop at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk (between castle and city; DKK ~160), famed for sculpture gardens overlooking the Øresund. If biking, refuel with cinnamon buns at Juno the Bakery and a late lunch at Bæst (house-made charcuterie and mozzarella).

Evening: Casual dinner at Høst’s sibling restaurant Cofoco for value prix-fixe, or Restaurant Radio for local produce-driven plates. Wind down at Brus for craft beer, or Ruby for classic cocktails in a townhouse lounge.

Stockholm

Spread across 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic, Stockholm blends royal heritage with sleek Scandinavian design. Gamla Stan’s golden alleys contrast with modern waterfront districts and forested parks. The city’s café ritual—fika—anchors afternoons with coffee and cardamom buns.

Highlights include the astonishingly intact 17th-century Vasa warship, Skansen open-air museum, and waterfront Fotografiska photography center. Don’t miss subway art stations, from Solna Centrum’s red cavern to Stadion’s rainbow arch.

Where to stay: Browse Hotels.com (Stockholm) or apartments on VRBO (Stockholm). Gamla Stan is atmospheric, Södermalm is creative and good value, and Norrmalm is central for transit.

Getting there (Copenhagen → Stockholm): Take the SJ high-speed train (approx. 5–5.5 hours) via Omio Trains, often $40–$90 if booked early. Flights run about 1 hour via Omio, but trains are more scenic and city-center to city-center.

Day 4 — Train to Stockholm, Gamla Stan & Fika

Morning: Depart Copenhagen early on the SJ high-speed train. Bring a bakery box from Hart Bageri for the ride. Expect Öresund Bridge views as you cross into Sweden.

Afternoon: Drop bags and wander Gamla Stan’s lanes: Stortorget square, the Nobel Prize Museum exterior, and the royal palace courtyards. Fika at Kaffekoppen for cardamom buns or head to Drop Coffee in nearby Södermalm for specialty pours.

Evening: Dinner at Tradition for Swedish classics—elk meatballs, creamy potato purée, and lingonberries. For casual seafood, Kajsas Fisk in Hötorgshallen serves a comforting fish soup. Nightcap at Pharmarium, mixing apothecary-inspired cocktails in a historic square.

Day 5 — Djurgården Museums & Waterfront

Morning: Breakfast at Vete-Katten, a 1928 patisserie icon. Ferry or tram to Djurgården. Visit the Vasa Museum (SEK ~190) to see the 1628 ship that sank on its maiden voyage and was salvaged in near entirety.

Afternoon: Stroll to Skansen (SEK ~245; seasonal pricing) for folk houses, Nordic fauna, and sweeping city views. Lunch at Rosendals Trädgård’s greenhouse café—organic salads, tartines, and garden cakes.

Evening: Sunset at Fotografiska’s rooftop, then dinner at Oaxen Slip for elevated Swedish bistro fare (try the meatballs with pickled cucumbers). Sip at Tjoget in Hornstull—listed among the world’s notable cocktail bars—before a late metro home.

Day 6 — City Hall, Market Halls, and Subway Art

Morning: Tour Stockholm City Hall (SEK ~130; check tour times) where Nobel banquets are held; climb the tower in season for views. Coffee at Johan & Nyström (Södermalm) or Pascal (Vasastan) for precision brews and pastries.

Afternoon: Lunch at Östermalms Saluhall—try Lisa Elmqvist for gravlax or Husmans Deli for herring plates. Do a self-guided “art in the metro” tour: T-Centralen’s blue motifs, Stadion’s rainbow, Solna Centrum’s red forest.

Evening: Dine at Pelikan for old-school Swedish fare in a grand beer hall setting, or at Nybrogatan 38 for modern comfort dishes at fair prices. Music fans: check Fasching for jazz sets; beer geeks: Akkurat for legendary Belgian and Swedish taps.

Tallinn

Tallinn bridges medieval charisma and modern creativity. Within its UNESCO-listed walls, merchant houses and spires recall Hanseatic days; beyond, a buzzing startup scene and Nordic-influenced dining have taken root in reclaimed factories and waterfront districts.

Walk the intact city walls, discover the KGB Museum’s Cold War intrigue, and roam Telliskivi Creative City’s murals, design shops, and micro-roasteries. The Noblessner waterfront pairs Baltic sunsets with craft breweries and cozy saunas.

Where to stay: Compare stays on Hotels.com (Tallinn) or apartment finds on VRBO (Tallinn). Old Town is atmospheric; Kalamaja/Telliskivi offers hip, budget-friendlier options near cafés and markets.

Getting there (Stockholm → Tallinn): The quickest route is a 1-hour flight (plus airport transit) via Omio Flights, often $50–$120 booked ahead. If you prefer the sea, overnight ferries also run via Omio Ferries (longer, but scenic).

Day 7 — Fly to Tallinn, Old Town Orientation

Morning: Fly Stockholm to Tallinn (1 hour). Taxi or tram #4 brings you into the center in ~20 minutes. Drop bags and lace up—this city rewards walkers.

Afternoon: Start at Town Hall Square and climb the Town Hall tower in season for spire views. Coffee at Røst in the Rotermann Quarter—cinnamon knots and dark, glossy filter coffee—then walk to St. Catherine’s Passage for artisan workshops.

Evening: Dinner at Rataskaevu 16 for soulful Estonian dishes (reserve; their black bread and butter are famous). For something playful, III Draakon inside the Town Hall serves rustic stews and pastries by candlelight. End with a Baltic porter at Koht, a tiny beer bar stacked with bottles.

Day 8 — KGB Museum, Telliskivi, and Noblessner

Morning: Breakfast at Rukis, a bakery-café known for rye loaves and curd pastries. Visit the KGB Museum (Hotel Viru; book a timed tour) for bugged rooms and Cold War stories.

Afternoon: Tram to Telliskivi Creative City. Lunch at F-Hoone for pierogi, beet salads, and dumplings in a cavernous former factory. Browse design shops and street art, then stroll to Balti Jaama Turg, a lively market with smoked fish stalls, pickled veggies, and modern food kiosks.

Evening: Head to the Noblessner waterfront. Try Põhjala Tap Room for house-brewed IPAs and smoked beef ribs, or Lore Bistroo for Baltic-inspired small plates. Book a private sauna pod at Iglupark for a steamy sunset session followed by a brisk Baltic breeze.

Day 9 — Seaplane Harbour and Kadriorg, or Lahemaa Day Trip

Morning: Visit the Seaplane Harbour (Lennusadam; ~€15–€20) to step aboard a 1930s submarine and explore maritime exhibits inside a stunning concrete hangar. Coffee at The Brick Coffee Roastery nearby for a cortado and a slice of cheesecake.

Afternoon: Option A: Tram to Kadriorg Palace and park—the baroque palace hosts the foreign art collection; walk on to Pirita’s seaside promenade. Option B (full day): Lahemaa National Park for coastal trails and manor houses; use Omio Buses to reach Viinistu/Kuusalu or book a local day tour.

Evening: Farewell dinner at Farm (modern Estonian cuisine with wild herbs) in Old Town. For a splurge with a view, NOA outside the center serves Baltic seafood with sunset-facing windows—book for golden hour.

Day 10 — Tallinn Souvenirs and Departure

Morning: Breakfast at NOP (Neighborhood Organic Place) in Kadriorg for shakshuka and fresh juices, or back to Røst for a final bun. Pick up handcrafted souvenirs on St. Catherine’s Passage—ceramics, leather goods, and handwoven textiles.

Afternoon: Head to the airport by tram or taxi for your departing flight. Compare routes on Omio. If you have extra time, loop the city wall at Hellemann Tower for one last medieval vantage point.

Transit Between Cities: Times & Tips

• Copenhagen → Stockholm: SJ high-speed train ~5–5.5 hours, $40–$90 via Omio Trains. Flights ~1 hour via Omio.
• Stockholm → Tallinn: Flight ~1 hour, typically $50–$120 via Omio. Overnight ferry available via Omio Ferries (longer but can save on a night’s lodging).

Local passes: Copenhagen’s Rejsekort or single metro tickets; Stockholm SL travelcard (24–72 hours) for metro, buses, ferries; Tallinn’s contactless tickets are inexpensive—validate on entry.

Suggested mid-range stays you can price out now:

• Copenhagen: Hotels.com | VRBO
• Stockholm: Hotels.com | VRBO
• Tallinn: Hotels.com | VRBO

This route blends three distinct flavors of Northern Europe: Danish hygge, Swedish island elegance, and Estonian medieval-meets-modern cool. With fast trains, short flights, and thoughtful food stops, it stays friendly to a mid-range budget while packing in history, design, and waterfront views.