Midsummer Festival: A 7-Day Journey Through Sweden & Denmark

Arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark’s chic and welcoming capital. Stroll its cobblestone streets and begin to feel the glow of hygge—a sense of warmth and connection. Tap into the local food scene that ranges from Michelin-starred restaurants to elevated street eats and open-air food markets. Wander through Christianshavn, a contrast to the city's polished side, known for its bohemian street art, eco-buildings, and alternative vibe.

See Copenhagen from its two best angles: the water and the bike path. Many half- and full-day tours include stops at the Little Mermaid statue and Amalienborg Palace, home to the Danish royal family. In the evening, visit Tivoli Gardens so you can be there when the park is lit up by thousands of glittery lights that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.

Book ahead to join a small-group tour aligned with the June summer solstice season and specifically the Midsummer holiday, typically held on the Friday closest to June 23. Traveling with a small group is one of the more cost-effective ways to get immersed in the magic of the Midsummer festival. Many groups travel by van and ferry from Denmark to Sweden via the iconic Oresund Bridge that connects the two countries.

The first stop is Lund, famous for its cobbled streets, centuries-old architecture, and a vibrant café culture shaped by its university life. This is the perfect place to experience fika—the Swedish ritual of pausing over coffee and something sweet—a moment to slow down, connect, and savor the everyday beauty that defines Swedish living.

Enjoy the morning in Lund before traveling one hour north to Arild, a coastal village on the Kullaberg Peninsula. Many tour operators use this day for travelers to experience the tempo and scenery of the Kullaberg Peninsula. Spend the afternoon wandering through picturesque seaside villages like Salthallarna in Höganäs, known for ceramics and its vibrant art scene. Some excursions include picnics with beer and cheese tastings, visits to artist studios, and trips to the best praline ice cream, chocolate, and pastry stores in town.

Travel on to Arild, named by Travel + Leisure as one of Europe’s top 25 under-the-radar villages. Settle into your seaside inn for two nights and experience a place that perfectly captures the spirit of Midsummer: red cottages, vineyard views, and a timeless sense of warmth and community.

Celebrate Sweden’s most beloved holiday in Arild. Midsummer traces its roots to ancient solstice rituals honoring fertility, light, and nature’s renewal. Today, it’s a joyful countryside festival of maypoles, flower crowns, folk dancing, and feasting—second only to Christmas in cultural importance.

Gather with locals in the village green, join the dancing, make a flower crown, and toast the midnight sun over plates of pickled herring, new potatoes, sour cream, and strawberries.

Say goodbye to Arild and the rugged charm of the Kullaberg peninsula and travel to the Swedish port city of Helsingborg. Your van will drive onto the ferry and then make the scenic (and short) crossing back to Denmark to the port town of Helsingør.

Helsingør is home to Kronborg Castle—best known as Elsinore in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. With its cobbled streets, boutique cafes, and gorgeous views of the Øresund coastline across to Sweden, many say the region epitomizes the easy elegance of Danish coastal life. Check into your hotel in Helsingor and savor traditional smørrebrød topped with herring, shrimp, or roast beef, paired with a drink of aquavit or snaps, the signature Danish accompaniment to herring.

Start the day with a short drive along the coast to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, located in Humlebaek. Often described as one of the most beautiful museums in the world, it combines world-class modern art with striking architecture, sculpture gardens, and sweeping views of the sea. There’s a quiet calm here that beautifully rounds out a journey rooted in hygge and authentic cultural immersion.

Return to Copenhagen for a final dinner and evening stroll gazing up at the starry sky that never gets fully dark. The breezes are warm and the cafes are buzzing, and you understand why Scandinavians treasure every hour of summer’s glow.