Should I Visit Sweden or Norway – A Practical Comparison

So you want to visit Scandinavia but you’re still wondering “should I visit Sweden or Norway”, hmm? Well, you’ve come to the right place. This article will go through the differences between the two countries and help you decide if you should visit Sweden or Norway!

Here we will go through various travel styles and whether Norway or Sweden fits best with each style. Not all these travel styles are applicable to every traveler. So find the topics that are important to you specifically, and assign a “1” to the country that is better for that style, and a “0” to the other country. 

Add up your results when you get to the end of the article and voila, you know if you’ll be visiting Sweden or Norway! Or better yet, both!

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Quick Sweden-Norway History Lesson

Scandinavian countries have had numerous alliances over the last 1000 years. All very similar in culture and demographics, it makes sense that these various kingdoms would try to unite. Back in those days your number one worry as a leader was being invaded and losing your land. Unions helped dissuade potential attackers. 

Norway was allied with Denmark until 1814 when it declared independence and formed its own constitution and parliament. Meaning that modern Norway dates back to 1814. Peace didn’t last long, however, as Sweden invaded Norway the next year. 

Rather than accept total Swedish rule, a union was formed where Norway could keep its government but would be ruled by the Swedish monarchy. Life went on like this for 90 years until 1905 when Sweden finally fully recognized Norway as an independent nation with an independent monarch. 

So basically, the two countries have had significant ties over the centuries, leading to very similar societies and cultures. 

Norway vs Sweden – A Travel Comparison

Now let’s get to the comparison between Sweden and Norway! Below we will run through numerous different travel styles and preferences and then determine whether Sweden or Norway is a better fit for you. Here we go!

You love European city architecture

Neither Sweden or Norway feature the most picturesque cities in Europe. If you’re solely looking for stunning cities, consider maybe Amsterdam, Bruges, or Siena instead. 

But that isn’t to say you won’t find beautiful classical European architecture in Sweden or Norway. Sweden has three main cities and a number of smaller cities. The capital, Stockholm, features the most “European” architecture of any city in either country. Stockholm is a beautiful, vibrant city that should fulfill your need for picturesque streets.

The other main cities in Sweden are Gothenburg and Malmo. Neither city is quite as beautiful as neighboring Copenhagen in Denmark. But they offer a few cute streets and colorful buildings. Other Swedish cities like Lulea and Uppsala have a few nice streets, but aren’t gonna blow you away. 

Across the border, Norwegian cities are more modern, full of buildings with curved glass facades and cantilevering roofs. Oslo has some old European charm, but is mostly dominated by buildings from the last century or so. 

For classic Norwegian architecture your best bet is Bergen. On the coast and surrounded by breathtaking fjords, Bergen is by far the most beautiful city in Norway. Other than that, Norwegian villages have beautiful, historic cabins, but don’t offer much in terms of Instagrammable cityscapes.  

Verdict: Sweden 

Neither Sweden or Norway is best for classic European cities. But if you have to choose, Sweden is the winner here. 

You want to be one with nature

Getting outside and exploring the outdoors is a popular activity for people all across the world. Nothing beats a morning hike to the top of a mountain overlooking distant ranges and stunning lakes. 

When it comes to nature, Norway really sets itself apart from anywhere else in northern Europe. A rugged mountain range spans the entire coast of the country, from Stavanger in the south to the Arctic wonderland in the north. There is nowhere in Norway that is not ridiculously beautiful. 

To get in touch with nature in Norway, all you have to do is step outside the cities for a moment. From the Trolltunga hike in the fjords outside Bergen to the Mannen hike in the Lofoten Islands, Norway is a hikers paradise and arguably the most beautiful country in the world. 

Sweden, on the other hand, has some nice places but is mostly flat. Sweden’s mountains are only in the Arctic, near Abisko. If you’re looking for incredible natural landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities, there are better options than Sweden. 

Verdict: Norway

Norway is, simply put, one of the most – if not the most – beautiful countries in the world top to bottom. There are endless opportunities to get outside into mountains and fjords. Sweden offers nothing that even remotely compares to Norway, so Norway is the clear winner in this category. 

You want to see the northern lights

Both Sweden and Norway are prime locations for catching a glimpse of the northern lights. Each has vast Arctic regions that are often in the aurora oval, the area of geomagnetic activity that allows for the appearance of the aurora borealis. 

When considering which of the two countries have better chances for seeing the northern lights, however, we have to think about the weather. The northern lights are only visible in clear skies. Arctic Scandinavia is notoriously cloudy, so you’ll need a bit of luck. 

The mountainous coast of Norway often leads to cloudier skies than the more inland Sweden. So when we’re talking about the best places to see the northern lights, Sweden offers Arctic landscapes with decent chances of clear skies. In fact, Abisko, Sweden is known for usually having the clearest skies in Arctic Scandinavia. 

Verdict: Sweden 

If your main goal is to see the northern lights, you’ll want to head to northern Sweden. You can still see them in Norway, but the weather is often not as favorable. If you really want the best chance to see the northern lights, head to northern Iceland though. Iceland tops both Sweden and Norway on the northern lights-o-meter.   

World Heritage Sites pique your interest

Both Sweden and Norway have their share of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In Norway, you can find everything from ancient petroglyphs to fjords that are so beautiful they earned World Heritage Site status without any specific cultural significance. Norway has a total of 8 World Heritage Sites and they span the length of the country from top to bottom. 

On the other side of the border, Sweden boasts a whopping 15 World Heritage Sites. For a country with a population of barely 10 million people, it sure lacks a punch for UNESCO. Though some of the sites are suspect at best, featuring things like old ironworks factories and copper mines. 

Verdict: Sweden

No matter how you look at it, Sweden has more and a greater variety of World Heritage Sites than Norway. Its sites are a bit more basic and not really comparable to places like Machu Picchu or Petra. But it’s hard to beat the number of World Heritage Sites that Sweden has per capita. 

Travel budget is your main concern

Affordability is a major factor in just about everybody’s vacation planning. Unfortunately, if you’re going to Scandinavia you’ve chosen one of the most expensive places to visit in the world.

Norway is known for being one of the most expensive countries in the world to live in, consistently ranking in the top 10 among well-known expensive places like Switzerland, Singapore, and the Cayman Islands. Sweden is about 20-30% cheaper overall, but still near the top of the most expensive counties list. 

Visiting these countries, however, is not terribly expensive if you’re from another expensive country like the US, Canada, or Australia. Hotels and restaurants in most Norwegian cities and towns are on par with most run of the mill American cities and far cheaper than places like New York, Vancouver, and Sydney. 

Hotels and restaurants in Swedish cities are similar to Norway, though a bit cheaper overall. Things like groceries, petrol, and a beer at a pub are definitely cheaper in Sweden. As a tourist, you’ll only marginally feel the cost difference between the two countries though. 

Verdict: Sweden

A trip to Sweden will cost less overall than a comparable trip to Norway. You won’t feel the difference in cost as much as if you were living in Norway. But it will be noticeable. 

You just want to relax

Many travelers are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives to a peaceful vacation where they can take it easy and just relax. If that sounds like you, then unfortunately neither Norway or Sweden are what you’re looking for. There are simply too many things to see and do and the weather is not ideal for a week on the beach. 

Both countries do offer resorts and spa getaways – especially sauna related spas – but neither are particularly known for being a relaxing holiday destination. If relaxation is your main focus you might want to consider somewhere in the Mediterranean like Santorini or Sardinia.

Verdict: draw

Neither Sweden or Norway is known for being a relaxing vacation destination. There are too many things to do and too much outdoor wilderness to get intimate with. You’re better off going somewhere else.

You are all about the food 

For neighboring countries, there are quite a lot of differences between food in Sweden and Norway. Sweden has more of a cuisine than Norway, though you’ll still be hard pressed to find a Swedish restaurant anywhere in the world that isn’t the cafeteria at IKEA. 

Sweden is known primarily for Swedish meatballs, a pasta dish in creamy brown sauce. But the Swedes have a ton of other culinary creations. They also make a damn good reindeer steak when you’re up in the north of the country where reindeer roam free. 

On the other hand, Norwegian food is almost entirely fish and seafood based. That’s sort of a no-brainer given how much coastline Norway has. Norway has more traditional fishing villages than you can shake a stick at. And the Norwegians make some pretty damn good fish, especially up in the Lofoten Islands. 

Verdict: Sweden 

While Norway does have amazing seafood, Sweden has more variety and more culinary delicacies to taste. You’ll be happy eating in either country though, so long as you’re a fan of fish.  

You want to learn about Vikings

Scandinavia is the land of the Vikings. The Vikings are known worldwide for their brutal imperialism and incredibly strong and powerful armies. They were quite simply beasts who could overpower any other human civilization at the time.

The Vikings historically came from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. All three countries have impressive Viking history, with many ruins of wooden Viking ships being found in each. All three countries have impressive Viking museums too. 

But while each country has great Viking history, the sheer amount of coastline in Norway lends itself to slightly richer Viking history. Excavations have discovered many ruins along the Norwegian coast, including the largest viking long-house ever discovered (on the Lofoten Islands). Oslo and other Norwegian cities and towns also have superb viking museums and historical sites. 

Verdict: Norway 

While Sweden has impressive Viking history and culture, Norway takes this category. With thousands of mile of fjord-rich coastline dotted with Viking settlements, Norway is where you want to be to get in touch with the Vikings. 

Immersion in local culture is vital to your travel experience 

It’s important to immerse yourself in the local culture when you’re traveling the world. While Sweden and Norway aren’t particularly known for having rich cultural traditions or values, there is more than meets the eye in these Nordic countries.

Both countries are heavily collective societies, as opposed to individualistic societies (like the United States). Great importance is placed on the well-being of all in the community. This is why the Nordic countries are known for having some of the largest social safety nets in the world. It’s not just that everyone is Uber-liberal. It’s just part of their culture and values. 

More historically speaking, Norway is known for Norse Mythology, Viking history, and having an infatuation with trolls. Many children are still named after Norse gods and trolls are scattered around fairy tales and other Norwegian literature.

Lastly, the far north of Norway is the historical home of the nomadic Sami people. The Sami are indigenous to the Arctic regions of Norway and essentially developed separately from the rest of Norway. They have their own unique language, traditions, and customs. 

We won’t go into a full breakdown of Sami culture here. But to get in touch with it, consider visiting Kautokeino, where Sami culture still lives strong. You can even ride a reindeer sleigh! 

Verdict: Norway 

Both modern cultures are similar, but Norway’s traditional myths, gods, and Sami culture make it the clear winner in this category.

You are all about the social media photos

With social media becoming more of a dominant force in people’s lives every day, it’s no surprise that taking amazing photos is extremely important to many travelers. Not just to look back and remember, but, you know, to show off to your friends and family online that you’re having more fun than them. 

So if that’s your goal then you will want to head straight to Norway. While Sweden has some Instagrammable spots, like Abisko in the Arctic and some cute streets in Stockholm, Norway is simply one of the most beautiful countries in the world, if not the most beautiful. 

Amazing photo ops are everywhere in Norway. From the fjords of the south to the Lofoten Islands in the north, Norway is one jaw-dropping photo after another. 

The photo here is at the Trolltunga, one of the most famous hikes in Norway. But this will just get you started. Literally anywhere on the western Fjords will make your friends jealous. And the Lofoten Islands will make them downright angry that you’re there and they’re not. 

If you’re visiting Lofoten, be sure to check out the most Instagrammable places in the Lofoten Islands.

Verdict: Norway 

That should have been pretty obvious after reading this section!  

You want to get your party on

If you’ve come to Scandinavia to get your party on, you’ll be a bit happier in Sweden. While Oslo has its share of nightclubs and bars, Norway is more known for skiing and hiking than getting blitzed. 

Sweden has more of a vibrant nightlife scene, especially in the capital of Stockholm. There are plenty of cocktail bars, craft beer bars, and wild nightclubs in Stockholm and other Swedish cities that you’ll be satisfied for the night. Though if you’re really looking to party in Scandinavia, you should head to Copenhagen instead. 

Verdict: Denmark… OK fine – Sweden 

Neither Norway or Sweden are particular party destinations, but you’ll probably have a better chance at a wild night out in Sweden. But if you’re just looking to party, you should probably head to Copenhagen or Amsterdam.

You just want to see some sports

For such small countries, both Sweden and Norway have produced some world-class athletes over the last century. Neither country has really invented their own sport, but sport plays a vital role these days in both cultures.  

Norway barely has 5 million people but consistently wins dozens of medals in the Winter Olympics. They’re freakishly good at skiing, especially the biathlon. While they didn’t make the 2022 World Cup, the (arguably) best striker on the planet – Manchester City’s Erling Haaland – is from Norway. Top 10 tennis player Casper Ruud also hails from Norway.

Sweden doesn’t have as many mountains for skiing, so the Swedes took up ice hockey. Sweden is consistently one of the best hockey playing nations in the world. Even with a small population they regularly compete with Canada, Russia, and the US. Football legend Zlatan Ibrahimović and tennis legend Björn Borg also come from Sweden. 

Verdict: tie 

If you’re looking to see some live sports, skiing in Norway or hockey in Sweden can be an option. Though keep in mind that all the best Swedish hockey players play in the NHL, so you won’t see them unless it’s a national team game. The Swedish and Norwegian football leagues are also not great. So we will call it a tie in this category. 

You just love a good road trip

Road tripping across Scandinavia can be an epic adventure. If you were to drive from Malmo, Sweden in the south to Alta, Norway in the north it would literally take you 24 hours and you’d cover over 2000 km. Norway and Sweden are both long, thin countries that have endless roads with tiny villages scattered around.

In terms of ease of driving, Sweden definitely offers a more relaxed driving experience, as it’s mostly flat, mostly straight driving. But isn’t a road trip about views and stops? 

Norway offers some of the most stunning scenery you can see out the window of a car, especially if you’re up in Lofoten or driving along the coast of Hardangerfjord. There are so many incredible road trips in Norway that we can’t even begin to go through them all in this article. Norwegian roads are in excellent condition and even if you’re driving during winter never fear: snow plows will be out before you even see white on the road. 

The only thing about road tripping in Norway is that if you’re trying to stay along the coast, your trip will involve ferries. A lot of them if you’re trying to take the scenic route from Stavanger to Trondheim. Take your sweet time when driving through Norway. There is too much to enjoy!

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Verdict: Norway 

Driving through Sweden can be beautiful and painless, but nothing beats a road trip along the coastal fjords of Norway. 

Should I Visit Sweden or Norway – Final Word

The total count for each category comes to 8 for Sweden and 7 for Norway. But really, this means nothing. Your individual score is all that matters, as very few people would care about all these things on the same trip. 

If you’re looking for outdoor adventure and cultural heritage, Norway is better for you. If you want to stay in cities and eat and drink your face off, you’ll probably enjoy Sweden more. 

If you’re solely looking to see the northern lights, both countries will do. Though you’ll probably have better weather in Sweden, even if there is considerably less Arctic land mass. 

Sweden and Norway are both amazing travel destinations. So why not visit both on an adventurous Scandinavian road trip!