Nature in Scandinavia

Of all European countries, Scandinavia probably has the most real nature. The Scandinavian countries are also safe countries that are easily accessible from the Netherlands. Therefore I’ve been to Scandinavia many times to take photographs. When it comes to landscapes, the Scandinavian countries are quite different. Norway, with its rugged coastline, deep fjords, and mountainous interior, is the most spectacular. The landscapes of Sweden and Finland, with their endless forests and thousands of lakes and marshes, are less spectacular. It really takes time to truly appreciate these countries. I even know photographers who find all those endless forests and lakes utterly incomprehensible.

The seasons

I’ve visited the Scandinavian countries in all seasons, but autumn, winter, and early spring are my favorite times for a photo trip. Autumn is short, but it may boast incredibly beautiful colors. Winter brings fascinating snow and ice landscapes, and in the north, you have a chance to photograph the Northern Lights. Early spring is appealing because the country awakens from the icy grip of winter. In summer, the landscapes tend to be a rather dull green and therefore is, in my opinion, less interesting from a photographic perspective. That’s why I always tried not to visit the Scandinavian countries in high summer. Favorite areas? Too many to mention, but to name a few. The Rondane mountains in the south of Norway and The Lofoten Islands in the north of Norway, unfortunately overrun by tourists these days. The island of Senja, the Varanger Peninsula in the far north of Norway and the difficult-to-reach Sarek National Park in northern Sweden are also beautiful and attract fewer tourists.