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Where should I visit in Europe other than Copenhagen in September 2025?

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I have previously visited the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, UK, and Ireland in Europe. So most of western and central europe.

This time I've to visit Copenhagen for a 3-day conference in September. So I will spend at least 3 nights there, out of which 1 day will probably go completely to the conference and the rest 2 days I might get time to see the city.

Where else should I visit on my European trip this time?

I am thinking of visiting maybe 4-5 new countries on this trip. I can have up to 20 days for this total trip, with some days before the conference and some days after the conference.

What are some options that you can suggest to me based on the time of the year. My budget range for the whole trip will be mid, let's say about 3000 euros for 20 days. I would prefer to use public transportation, trains, and hostels for my stay.

Also, is there possibility of seeing northern lights in mid September or should I leave nordics for the future? I will be flying solo from India and will be on a single entry Schengen visa.

Any important festivals or celebrations around this time of the year that I should totally experience at least once in life? Something kinda Oktoberfest.

Posted by
914 posts

I think you will have to go pretty far north to have a chance to see the northern lights. That
will drive a portion of your trip itinerary if you want to give it a shot.

Otherwise, one obvious answer is to take the train to Oslo and/or Stockholm. Can stop in
Gothenberg or Kalmar for a night or two. From Stockholm, you can take the ferry across to
Tallinn. If you want to be industrious, you can bus it into Latvia and Lithuania.

I have to say, though, if your primary purpose is to go to a conference and you plan to only
spend 1 day at it, and (from the way you worded your entry) your goal is say you went to
as many countries as possible, I don't know how much you'll get out of the trip.

Posted by
7544 posts

Also, is there possibility of seeing northern lights in mid September

Yes, but it's early in the season and the odds are not in your favour. But not impossible.

Posted by
8382 posts

You’re up by Norway and Sweden, so why not go there? We spent the month of September 2023 in Norway (including Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim) and Copenhagen (with day trips from Copenhagen to Helsingør and Roskilde). Norway is relatively expensive, so you might want to consider how long you spend there, and how you get there and back. September is possible for seeing northern lights, much more than August, but don’t count on it.

Working your way clockwise around the Baltic Sea, one or more other countries would be Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. I’m on vacation right now in Poland, and it is much cheaper than Scandinavia, as well as many other European countries. It has delicious food, and lots of history. Much of what had been destroyed by bombs in World War II has been rebuilt and restored to how it looked a hundred years ago, and in some cases, hundreds of years ago.

Oktoberfest in 2025 starts on September 20 in Munich. It’s totally Oktoberfest, not just kinda. Poland is adjacent to Germany, and so is Denmark, so depending on your exact dates in September you could be in Copenhagen, Poland, and Germany.

Posted by
14 posts

I agree with concentrating in Norway and Sweden, perhaps Finland as well (with a day trip to Tallinn.) I may suggest spending a few extra days exploring Denmark. Oslo and Stockholm are lovely cities--you can easily spend several days in each and explore the different neighborhoods, museums and ample parks. Traveling between the cities by train is a good way to see the countryside. It makes sense to do a loop, say from Copenhagen to Gothenburg, Gothenburg to Oslo, Oslo to Stockholm, Stockholm back to Copenhagen. Assuming you are returning home from Copenhagen? A side trip to Helsinki may be best done by plane from Stockholm. You can get an overnight ferry, but they are slow and likely cost about the same as a flight and hostel. A day in Tallinn's old town is worthwhile. Good luck, and pleasant travels!

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