(September Travel Guide)
From the East Coast USA to Copenhagen, Oslo, Trondheim, and Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes — ending with Northern Lights possibilities.
If you’re planning a Scandinavian adventure in September, this route offers the perfect balance of culture, history, design, fjords, waterfalls, and aurora viewing opportunities — all without backtracking.
✈️ Travel Route Overview
East Coast USA → Copenhagen → Odense → Aarhus → Oslo → Trondheim → Reykjavik → East Coast USA
This east-to-west flow keeps flights efficient and builds toward Iceland’s dramatic landscapes at the end of the trip.
🇩🇰 Denmark (5 Days)
Days 1–3: Copenhagen (3 Nights)
Day 1 – Arrival & Harbor Views
- Nyhavn harbor walk
- Canal-side dinner
- Tivoli Gardens at night
Day 2 – Royal & Historic Copenhagen
- Christiansborg Palace
- Rosenborg Castle
- The Round Tower viewpoint
- Evening food hall or fine dining experience
Day 3 – Easy Day Trip
Choose one:
- Kronborg Castle (Hamlet’s Castle)
- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Day 4: Odense (1 Night)
Train from Copenhagen (~1.5 hours)
- Hans Christian Andersen Museum
- Cobblestone old town streets
- Riverside evening walk
Day 5: Aarhus (1 Night)
Train from Odense (~1.5 hours)
- ARoS Museum rooftop panorama
- Den Gamle By open-air museum
- Harbor district walk
Evening flight (or early next morning) to Oslo.
🇳🇴 Norway (5 Days)
Days 6–8: Oslo (3 Nights)
- Oslo Opera House rooftop
- MUNCH Museum
- Vigeland Sculpture Park
- Akershus Fortress
- Aker Brygge waterfront
Optional: Oslofjord boat cruise
Days 9–10: Trondheim (2 Nights)
Scenic train from Oslo
- Nidaros Cathedral
- Bakklandet historic district
- Old Town Bridge
- Kristiansten Fortress views
Fly Trondheim → Reykjavik (typically via Oslo).
🇮🇸 Iceland (8 Days – Aurora Possible)
Rent a car upon arrival.
September offers early Northern Lights opportunities, especially away from city light pollution.
Days 11–12: Reykjavik (2 Nights)
- Hallgrímskirkja tower view
- Harpa Concert Hall
- Sun Voyager sculpture
- Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon experience
Check Northern Lights forecast nightly.
Day 13: The Golden Circle
- Thingvellir National Park
- Geysir geothermal area
- Gullfoss waterfall
- Kerid crater
Overnight along the South Coast.
Days 14–16: South Coast to Glacier Lagoon (3 Nights)
- Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Skogafoss waterfall
- Reynisfjara black sand beach
- Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
This region offers some of Iceland’s best Northern Lights viewing conditions.
Days 17–18: Snæfellsnes Peninsula (2 Nights)
- Kirkjufell mountain
- Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano
- Búðir black church
- Arnarstapi coastal cliffs
Excellent aurora viewing region.
Day 19: Return to Reykjavik → Fly Home
Morning return to Reykjavik and departure flight to the East Coast USA.
Why This Route Works
✔ Logical east-to-west flow
✔ No backtracking
✔ Balanced mix of cities and nature
✔ September shoulder-season advantages
✔ Strong Northern Lights potential in Iceland
Trip Summary
- Denmark: 5 nights
- Norway: 5 nights
- Iceland: 8 nights
- Total: 19 days
Planning Tips for September
- Expect mild temperatures in Denmark and Norway (50–65°F)
- Iceland temperatures range 40–55°F
- Pack layers and waterproof outerwear
- Book rental cars early for Iceland
- Monitor aurora forecasts nightly in Iceland
Ready to plan your Nordic adventure?
This itinerary delivers design-forward cities, medieval history, glacier lagoons, and potential Northern Lights — all in one unforgettable journey.