Most Scenic Places in Scandinavia and the Arctic: For Photographers

There is a distinct kind of magic that belongs entirely to the far north. It is found in the way a golden sunrise stretches across a frozen fjord, or how the night sky suddenly comes alive with a dash of green. It’s no surprise that the most scenic places in Scandinavia and the deep Arctic top the bucket lists of anyone with a passion for capturing beautiful images.

But planning a trip to these wild frontiers can feel a little unknown and daunting. You don’t need to be a professional photographer with a bag full of expensive gear, nor do you need to be an Arctic survivalist to bring home breathtaking images. Whether you are shooting on a high-end DSLR or simply framing a quick shot on your smartphone, some of the world’s most spectacular arctic landscapes are completely accessible if you choose the right itinerary.

If you are looking for a few handy Scandinavia travel photography tips to get you started,  let someone else handle the arrangements and the logistics, so you can focus entirely on the view. At Magnetic North we have travelled extensively with Scandinavia and the Arctic, and love more than anyone showing off our best snaps with our friends, family and clients. 

Whether you choose the dramatic fjords of Norway, the deep snow of Sweden Lapland or the ice-carved wilderness of Svalbard, here are the ultimate destinations where incredible scenery meets seamless travel.

Norway: The Jagged Peaks of Tromsø & The Lofoten Islands

If your dream photography trip involves dramatic ocean views meeting snow-dusted mountains, then coastal Norway should be your very first stop. The region surrounding Tromsø and the legendary Lofoten archipelago offers some of the most dramatic scandinavian fjords you will ever witness.

What makes the Lofoten Islands one of the most scenic places in Scandinavia is the scenery. The sheer contrast of the landscapes, makes it truly special for photographers. Here, sharp, granite peaks rise straight out of the turquoise Arctic ocean, fringed by white-sand beaches and dotted with those iconic, bright red fisherman’s cabins (rorbuer).

The outcome of your image depends very much on the season you choose to visit in. During the early or late winter months, the sun stays low on the horizon in this part of the world. Although shorter days than the summer months, those ‘golden hours’ leave the sky filled with pastel oranges, pinks and purples, before the deep blue of the midnight sun. All of this before the Northern Light bursts across the sky, although of course never guaranteed. If you do find yourself under a green sky, having your camera ready is very important. Feel free to bookmark our Northern Lights Smart Phone Photography Guide for some quick setup tips before and during your trip!

How to experience it: Navigating these coastal roads in the winter can be notoriously tricky for independent travellers, but it shouldn’t stop you. Our Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands Northern Lights Holiday handles all the winter transport and logistics for you. From hunting the Aurora across coastal beaches to exploring quiet fishing villages, this itinerary is perfectly paced to ensure you have plenty of time to breathe in the crisp sea air, and frame the perfect shot.

Discover our range of Norway holidays to see the Northern Lights here.

Sweden: Winter Magic & Luxury Glamping in Lapland

If Norway is defined by its dramatic coastline, Sweden is defined by its vast, silent frozen forests and silently ice covered rivers. In the deep winter, this region transforms into a magical winter wonderland where the snow clings heavy to the pine trees, creating silhouettes that are an absolute dream to capture on camera.

Away from the ambient light of major cities, this wilderness offers some of the clearest, darkest night skies in Europe, making it one of the premier locations for viewing the Swedish Lapland Northern Lights. Being stationary in nature rather than driving between locations, you can take your time framing the ultimate night sky shot right from your accommodation. In fact, our colleague Elodie spent a night doing exactly this, and you can read all about her firsthand experience sleeping beneath Northern Lights in our feature blog, Sleeping Under the Northern Lights in a Glass Cone.

How to experience it: You don’t need to rough it in the sub-zero temperatures to capture this raw winter beauty. Our Luxury Glamping in Swedish Lapland holiday balances high-end comfort with deep wilderness immersion at the Aurora Safari Camp. Best of all for photography enthusiasts with equipment ready to go, a bespoke photography workshop can easily be added to your itinerary. Giving you casual, hands-on guidance from an expert to make sure you capture one of the most scenic places in Scandinavia and giving the snowy landscape and the Aurora the full justice it deserves. 

Svalbard: High Arctic Wildlife & Glaciers

To capture a completely different side of the Arctic, you have to venture even further north to the remote archipelago of Svalbard. Visiting during the summer months introduces a whole new world for photography lovers: the legendary Midnight Sun. With 24 hours of daylight, the golden hours cast a surreal, amber glow over massive calving glaciers and towering sea cliffs.

Rather than hunting the Aurora, a trip to Svalbard is all about capturing raw, untamed nature and polar wilderness. It is one of the best places on earth to photograph iconic species in their natural habitat, from herds of walruses resting on ice floes to reindeer, thousands of nesting seabirds, and, if you are lucky, the majestic polar bear.

How to experience it: The only true way to explore this frozen frontier is by water. Our Svalbard Expedition Cruise: Spitsbergen Circumnavigation is perfect for anyone wanting to experience a Svalbard arctic wildlife cruise. This expedition includes informal photography workshops taken in two parts. The first on board to master the skills before heading out on the zodiacs to put what you have learnt into practice. You will have an expert close at hand to help you adjust your camera settings just as a whale breaches or a glacier ice-front crashes into the sea. It’s worth noting that guests will need to bring their own camera equipment and carry it whilst out on an excursion. 

Ready to get your scenic snaps in Scandinavia and the Arctic?

From the jagged peaks of the Norwegian fjords to the silent snows of Swedish Lapland and the dramatic ice fields of Svalbard, the far north offers endless inspiration for anyone who loves to capture the world’s natural beauty. You don’t need to be a professional to bring home photos that you will cherish for a lifetime, you just need to be in the right place at the right time.

Whether you want to witness the dancing colours of the Aurora or cruise beneath the Midnight Sun, our team at Magnetic North Travel is here to handle all the logistics. Mapping out the perfect, stress-free itinerary for your journey to the most scenic places in Scandinavia and the Arctic. 

Get in touch with our Scandinavian and Arctic Travel Specialists to start planning your picture-perfect holiday.