In his new three-part series – Scandinavia with Simon Reeve – Simon journeys across a vast region of arctic tundra, endless forests and stunning fjords, through some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, while uncovering the surprising secrets of the happiest countries on the planet.
Featuring an entire smorgasbord of adventures, Simon’s journey takes him through the Scandi countries of Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and also to the wider Nordic family of Finland and Iceland. He travels to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, the frozen wilderness of Lapland, NATO’s longest border with Russia, the stunning fjords of Norway, and one to Iceland – the original land of ice and fire. Along the way he tries to uncover the secrets of Scandinavia – what makes them so happy and successful, while never shying from the challenges and problems they face.
In Sweden, Simon races around on a scooter with a tattooed hipster Professor of Happiness who explains why Scandis are so successful, , but Simon also visits the burly boss of an elite police bomb squad, gets kitted-out for bomb disposal, and learns about an extraordinary wave of gang attacks using children and IED’s. In Norway he meets the boss of the world’s largest wealth fund, worth around 25,000 tons of gold, and heads to Denmark to discover why the Danes are some of the most trusting people on the planet – they even have high levels of trust in their government and politicians.
As he travels around Scandinavia, we see Simon get a lift on a boat he expects to see in a Bond film; climb up a wind turbine nearly the height of the Eiffel Tower; meet a scientist trying to change the world; speak to a young volcanologist warning about a mega-volcano eruption; and meet toddlers at a snowy frozen forest school who are only taken indoors when the temperature drops below -30c. It’s Scandinavia, and it’s full of surprises.The 3 x 60 minute series, Scandinavia with Simon Reeve, starts on BBC Two at 9pm on Sunday 18 May, with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer the same day.
Scandinavia with Simon Reeve is produced for BBC Two and iPlayer by The Garden, part of ITV Studios. It is written and presented by Simon Reeve, Executive Produced by Sam Bagnall and Series Produced and Directed by Chris Mitchell. The series was commissioned by Joanna Carr, News Controller, Long Form Commissioning and Gian Quaglieni, Commissioning Editor, Current Affairs.
Watch Scandinavia with Simon Reeve on iPlayer from Sunday 18 May
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Simon Reeve provides his own personal insights into his Scandinavian journey
Why Scandinavia?
It’s a part of the world many of us think we know – you know, happy people, stunning landscapes, maybe a slightly eye-watering price for a pint – but I’ve always found that the places we think we’re familiar with often hold the biggest surprises. And Scandinavia, or more broadly the Nordic region as we explore in the series, is absolutely packed with them. It’s a region of incredible contrasts. You’ve got these vast, icy wildernesses in the north, places like Svalbard, which feel like the very edge of the world, and then you’ve got these incredibly modern, sophisticated cities.
What really drew me in, though, beyond the epic scenery, was this reputation they have for being some of the happiest, most equal, and progressive societies on the planet. I wanted to get under the skin of that. Is it all it’s cracked up to be? What’s the secret sauce? And, perhaps more importantly in these rather turbulent times, are there lessons we can learn from them?
But it’s not all straightforward. There are challenges, tensions, and some genuinely surprising issues bubbling away. We’re talking about a region that’s right on the frontline with Russia, dealing with the impacts of climate change in a very real and immediate way, and grappling with some of the same social complexities we see elsewhere in the world, like immigration and its consequences. So, it was that mix, that blend of the idyllic and the intriguing, the light and the shade, that really pulled me in. It felt like a journey that would be both beautiful and thought-provoking, and hopefully, that’s what viewers will get from it too.
What can viewers expect from the series?
Viewers can expect real journeys, in every sense! It’s not just about ticking off famous landmarks, though we certainly visit some breathtakingly beautiful places. This series is about diving deep into what makes Scandinavia tick. Expect to see the stunning, almost otherworldly landscapes – from the icy expanses of Svalbard and Lapland, where reindeer roam, to the dramatic fjords of Norway that just take your breath away, and the lush forests of Sweden.
But alongside that incredible beauty, viewers will also get a proper look at the realities of life in these countries. We don’t shy away from complex and surprising issues. For instance, we explore the geopolitical tensions, especially with Finland sharing such a long border with Russia – you’ll even see a nuclear bunker hidden beneath a Santa-themed shopping centre, which was quite an eye-opener!
We delve into how these nations are grappling with climate change, from melting glaciers in Iceland potentially unleashing volcanic fury, to pioneering green technologies like direct air capture. There’s a look at the indigenous Sami culture and the challenges they face as their traditional way of life meets modern development. And we also explore some of the social issues that might surprise people – like the rise in gang violence in Sweden, which is a stark contrast to its peaceful image, or Denmark’s controversial “Ghetto Law” aimed at managing immigration. So, it’s a real mix. You’ll meet some fantastic, engaging people along the way, from reindeer herders to military commanders, from those running the world’s biggest sovereign wealth fund to ordinary and inspiring folk just getting on with life. It’s that blend of adventure, stunning visuals, personal stories, and a willingness to tackle the big, sometimes uncomfortable, questions that I always aim for. Hopefully, it’ll be an eye-opening, thought-provoking, and ultimately, an enjoyable watch that shows Scandinavia in all its glorious, complex, and fascinating light.
Any surprises?
Jumping into a frozen lake at night with the Finnish army was a bit of a shock. But there were several other times when I was stunned by what I saw.
I found a robot dog a mile underground in a Swedish mine, a volcano with a caldera roughly the size of Paris, and a decision dice on a desk at the offices of the world’s largest wealth fund, with Buy, Sell, Hold and Panic on each face. I loved that.
Little Finland has an army five times the size of ours, the Danes are taking a very tough stance on immigration, and there’s a staggering level of gang bombings in Sweden. Lots of surprises there.
But I’d say their levels of trust were the real surprise. One time we arrived in a Norwegian town on a Sunday night, and I chanced upon a florist’s shop that had been left open as an ‘honesty shop’, with all the flowers and plants outside that people could choose and then go inside to pay via an app. No staff around at all. They had platters of chocolates and bottles of bubbly inside to buy and even a wrapping station where people could wrap their presents. Imagine that! It’s just inconceivable that we could have a full shop like that in a town in the UK. The plants would get kicked and nicked. It was such a shock to me. They have such high levels of social trust. We had that, but I fear we’ve lost it – at least for now.
Scandinavia has some of the happiest countries on earth, what do you think is their secret?
It’s the million-krona question. What’s the secret to Scandinavian happiness? It’s not one single thing, but a cocktail of factors. A huge part of it, as we explore in the series, is trust. There’s this incredible level of trust in each other, their institutions, even in their governments. You see it in everyday life, like in Denmark where I saw parents happily leave their babies to sleep in prams in parks or outside cafes while they pop in for a coffee. That’s almost unthinkable in many other places, but it speaks volumes about the social cohesion and the feeling of safety and mutual respect.
Then there’s the strong social safety net. These countries have invested heavily in their people – universal healthcare, good education, generous parental leave, and support for those who fall on hard times. This doesn’t just make life easier; it reduces a lot of the day-to-day anxieties that can weigh people down elsewhere. It gives people a sense of security, a feeling that they’re not on their own if things go wrong. And of course, there’s the work-life balance. They really seem to value their leisure time, their connection with nature – which is often right on their doorstep and absolutely stunning. The ‘friluftsliv’ concept, the open-air living, is deeply ingrained. Getting out into the wilderness, whether it’s hiking, skiing, or just breathing in that crisp, clean air, is a Scandi pastime and a massive contributor to well-being.
But it’s not a utopia, and it’s important to remember that. They pay high taxes for those services, and there are pressures and complexities, as we uncover. However, that fundamental belief in equality, in looking after one another, and in the importance of community, combined with that deep appreciation for the natural world, seems to be a pretty powerful recipe for contentment. It’s less about chasing individual wealth at all costs and more about creating a society where everyone has a fair chance to thrive. It’s a fascinating model, and while it might not be perfectly replicable everywhere, there are definitely elements we could all learn from.
Did you find everyone you met was constantly happy?
It’s true that Scandinavians consistently top those global happiness polls, and there’s a general sense of contentment and well-being that’s palpable, but it’s not like everyone is walking around with a permanent grin plastered on their face, skipping and singing Abba tunes. What I found was a more nuanced picture. There’s a real appreciation for the quality of life they have. They value the security, the equality, the access to nature, and that strong sense of community. But they have their worries, their stresses, just like anyone else.
In the series, we meet people facing some pretty significant challenges. Sami reindeer herders in Sweden, whose ancient way of life is under threat from modern development and the push for green energy. They’re certainly not constantly beaming with joy about that. Or consider the Finns living right on the border with Russia – there’s an understandable anxiety there. In Sweden, we saw communities grappling with a shocking rise in gang violence, which is a world away from the serene image many of us have of the country. In Denmark, I met a Muslim taxi driver who was forced to move his family due to the “Ghetto Law,” that prompts real questions about integration, identity, and social engineering.
So, no, not constant, unadulterated happiness. What I think those happiness surveys reflect is a deeper, more fundamental satisfaction with the overall quality of life. It’s about having a strong foundation, knowing you’ll be looked after if you fall ill, that your kids will get a good education, that you can trust the people and institutions around you. That provides a bedrock of contentment, even when life throws its inevitable curveballs.
Tell us a little about the people you met?
Well the people are always the heart of any journey for me, and Scandinavia was no exception!
I met a brilliant young female volcanologist in Iceland who took me to see a super-volcano that if it erupts could cause a flood with more water than the outflow of the Amazon. I met the head of one of Sweden’s three bomb squads who had been the head of Stockholm SWAT, but gave it up because there were less massive armed heists when the country went cashless.
And I think of the bearded Professor of Happiness, a world expert described as looking like a hipster Jesus, who has loads of tattoos, including one of ‘70’ indicating how much percentage effort all of us should apply to tasks. More than that and we burn out. He has the number 8 tattooed on his arm indicating how many seconds we should think about situations before reacting. He’s done the maths, he said! He told me that part of the Scandi miracle is that yes lots is offered to people, but the state also expects and requires people to play their part as well. Something for all of us to remember.
Who else? In Finland I met young conscripts in the Jaegar Brigade, training for Arctic warfare. These are kids, really, learning to survive and fight in some of the harshest conditions imaginable, all because of the proximity of Russia, which they see as a very real threat. On a completely different note, I’m meeting someone like Inge Berg in Norway, the billionaire behind an enormous offshore fish farm the size of an aircraft carrier. Whether you agree with the scale of it or not, his drive and ambition were undeniable.
What always strikes me is people’s willingness to share their experiences, their hopes, and their fears. From the resilience of those in the far north to passionate debates in the cities, it’s human stories that bring a place to life and help you understand it beyond the headlines or the tourist brochures.
What was the most surprising thing you discovered?
That’s a tough one, as Scandinavia kept throwing surprises at me around every corner! But if I had to pick one, it would probably be the situation in Sweden regarding gang violence. It was genuinely shocking. Here’s a country that, for most of us, epitomises peace, stability, and liberal values. You think of Sweden, you think of Abba, IKEA, sensible Volvos, and a really well-ordered society. And in many ways, it still is all of those things. But to discover that Stockholm has a gun murder rate thirty times that of London, and that teenage gangs are regularly using hand grenades and pipe bombs in turf wars – that was a real jolt. It’s not something you associate with Scandinavia at all.
We spent time with a bomb squad in Malmo, and hearing their experiences, seeing the reality of what they’re dealing with on a regular basis, was incredibly sobering. These aren’t isolated incidents; it’s a serious, ongoing problem that the country is struggling to get to grips with. The crime wave has coincided with a significant increase in immigration, particularly following conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan, and it’s led to some very difficult and complex social issues in certain areas. We visited one of the housing estates that has been particularly affected, trying to understand the root causes and what it’s like for the people living there. It’s a multifaceted problem, of course, with no easy answers, involving issues of immigration, integration, poverty, social exclusion, and the international drug trade.
You’ve travelled all over the world but you said Norway has a solid claim to be the most beautiful country in the world. What did you love about the landscapes of Norway?
First and foremost, it’s the sheer, jaw-dropping drama of the landscape. Those fjords! They’re like something out of a fantasy epic – colossal cliffs plunging into deep, dark waters, with waterfalls cascading down from impossible heights. Then you’ve got the mountains, the glaciers, the pristine forests, and incredibly picturesque islands like the Lofoten Islands which we visited. It’s a country that just constantly takes your breath away with its raw, untamed beauty.
But it’s more than just the scenery, magnificent as it is. There’s a certain spirit to Norway that I find really appealing. They were once really quite poor, a land of hardy farmers and fishermen. Then they struck oil, and suddenly became one of the wealthiest nations in the world. But what’s remarkable is how they’ve managed that wealth. They didn’t just squander it; they created an enormous sovereign wealth fund – the ‘piggy bank’ as it’s sometimes called – which is now worth a staggering amount. It’s a testament to their foresight and commitment to the long-term well-being of their society. There’s a pragmatism and a sense of responsibility there that’s really admirable.
Do you have any connection to Scandinavia yourself?
My wife is half Danish, so I’ve got a bit of a personal connection, particularly to Denmark. But would I actually pack my bags and move there? No way, I’m a proud Brit, and as much as I love to travel and explore, I feel a real pull to home.
But if I were forced to choose a place to live outside the UK, somewhere in Scandinavia would definitely be high on the list. I think what I’d embrace most is that ‘friluftsliv’ culture, that real commitment to spending time outdoors, whatever the weather. I love the idea of being able to just step out of your door and be in stunning wilderness within minutes.
But of course, there are challenges too. The winters can be long and dark, especially the further north you go. And, let’s be honest, it’s not the cheapest part of the world!
Many would say Scandinavia is often overlooked or even ignored in the UK, why do you think that is?
It’s a good question, and it’s something I’ve pondered myself. Why is Scandinavia, and the broader Nordic region, not somewhere we’re more aware of. I think there are a few reasons. Firstly, they’re not countries that shout loudly on the global stage. They’re generally quite modest, reserved even. They’re not constantly in the headlines for dramatic political upheavals or massive global crises in the way some other regions are – though, as we saw with the Ukraine situation and its impact on Finland and Norway, that can change very quickly. They just quietly get on with being incredibly well-run, prosperous, and, well, happy societies, and perhaps that doesn’t always make for the most sensational news.
Secondly, I think the media in the UK can be overly obsessed with what’s happening in the US. I find it surprising that we can sometimes have domestic US news leading the news in the UK. We seem to be constantly looking across the pond. And maybe we should focus more on what’s happening closer to home in places like Scandinavia.
You say that trust – in institutions, governments and each other – is central to the success of modern Scandinavia. What can other countries learn from this?
Absolutely, trust is a massive one. Some experts think trust is incredibly valuable, and that it’s worth a quarter of the value of a Scandi economy.
It really struck me as a cornerstone of what makes Scandinavian societies work so well. It isn’t just a vague, fuzzy feeling; it’s a tangible asset that underpins so much of their success, from their economic stability to their social cohesion and even their high levels of happiness. How can other countries develop trust? Well, it’s not something you can just flick a switch and create overnight, as trust is earned and built over generations. But I think there are some fundamental principles that are universally applicable.
You need to have low corruption. And that people feel their leaders are generally honest, and that institutions are there to serve the public good rather than vested interests. In Scandinavia there’s a strong sense that politicians and public servants are, by and large, working for the benefit of everyone.
Secondly, investing in people is key. When a state provides good quality education, healthcare, and social security for all its citizens, it sends a powerful message that everyone is valued. If people play their part as well, working and paying taxes, then that can create a virtuous circle.
Several Scandis said to me that another vital element is a commitment to equality and fairness. While no society is perfectly equal, the Scandinavian countries have reduced a lot of the glaring disparities in wealth and opportunity you see elsewhere. Academics in Scandinavia will say that when people feel they have a fair chance in life, regardless of their background, it reduces social friction and builds solidarity. And then there’s the importance of a free and independent media that can hold power to account and foster informed public debate.
Finally I think it’s clear many Scandi governments really listen to their people, even on difficult subjects like immigration, which many people in Scandinavia are concerned about. They have coalitions that mean all opinions are included. So people don’t feel they or their views are being left out.
Hot or cold, which climate do you prefer when you’re on your travels?
That’s tough. There’s a real raw, elemental beauty to cold climates. When you’re in the Arctic, surrounded by ice and snow, there’s a silence and stillness that’s unlike anything else on Earth. It feels incredibly pure, and the landscapes are just breathtakingly dramatic. There’s a challenge to it, of course – you have to be properly prepared, and it tests your resilience. But there’s also a real sense of achievement in being out there, experiencing something so far removed from everyday life.
But of course hot climates have their own allure, with vibrancy, colours, more smells – the heat often means a full-on sensory assault, in the best possible way. I’m thinking of bustling markets in the tropics, or the incredible biodiversity of a rainforest. There’s an energy to hot countries that can be incredibly infectious.
If I had to choose, I might lean ever so slightly towards the cold, simply because it often takes you to more remote, less-trodden parts of the world. There’s a sense of real adventure in bundling up and heading out into the frozen wilderness.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about this particular adventure?
It was genuinely fascinating and, at times, really surprising. Scandinavia is often painted with a fairly broad brush – you know, happy, healthy, a bit chilly, and very well organised. And while there’s truth in all of that, there’s so much more to it.
What I hope this series does is peel back a few of those layers and show the diversity, the complexity, and the real human stories that make this region so compelling.
It’s a part of the world that’s right on the frontline of some of the biggest challenges we face globally – climate change, geopolitical tensions, questions of national identity and immigration. And yet, it’s also a place that offers some really inspiring examples of how societies can be structured to prioritise well-being, equality, and a deep connection with the natural world.
The landscapes, of course, will stay with me forever. From the ethereal beauty of the Arctic to the majestic fjords and tranquil forests, it’s a region that constantly reminds you of the power and wonder of nature. It was a privilege to travel there, to meet the people I met, and to be able to share those experiences with viewers. I came away with a much deeper appreciation for Scandinavia, not just as a collection of successful countries, but as a really dynamic and thought-provoking part of our world.
