While Europe is an all-around beauty, when it comes to the land of rising sun, you should be nit-picky. Is Norway a very different experience in comparison? VS. 60%. Try this image for instance. 23 Apr 2023 - 04 May 2023. In Norway, approximately 2.3 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. Two beautiful cats needing a friendly human to keep them company! If youre looking for a relaxed trip or more means to explore, it is suitable for both types. If these movies are not available in your region, use a reliable VPN tounblock content on Netflix. Finland is actually not part of Scandinavia, but it shares the larger Nordic culture with countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Touring Copenhagen by bike is a must, but the keen cyclist can explore Denmarks network of seven national cycling routes. Norway (Lofoten/Senja which are both quite far north) I would say each of the above 3 are even more dramatic scenery than Switzerland but none have as good public transportation. Chance of rain 100%. window.setTimeout(timer_metaslider_57769, 1) : metaslider_57769(window.jQuery); Explore best destinations with our experts. The mountain ranges in Patagonia are also worth seeing. If so, Banff/Jasper would be a no-brainer: fly to Calgary or Vancouver and rent a car. Or a selection of those. 4: Penguins are the only antarctic birds. $('li:not(".flex-active-slide") .animated', slider).not('.disabled').each(function(index) { more. Norway is the first in the world for environmental friendliness, and Sweden ranks close to the top too. }); To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. On the other hand, time wise Iceland is probably the better choice as you can make your way around the island with less back tracking. You can even see whales if you visit the right location at the right time. Sweden wins this round. It is one of the most vibrant cities. Suggested Read: 12 Beaches in Norway Where You Can Spend A Tranquil Evening. Budget travelers often stay in cheaper hostels and guest houses . Does it have to be Europe? itemWidth:300, Zrich, Switzerland. From active volcanos reshaping the country to epic glaciers, Iceland truly is the home of fire and ice. The data for each country can be found here: Switzerland and Norway. itemMargin:0 There are more than 90,000 lakes in Sweden, but the region is about more than just flowing water. The same applies in Norway, with Oslo often measuring up as more expensive than places like Bergen. var el = $(this); Switzerland is the Federal Republic, whereas, Sweden is a Constitutional monarchy. The currency of Norway is Norwegian Krone and stands at an equivalent of 8.24 Indian rupees. Myth No. However, if you want to see the Northern Lights, February and March, as well as September and October, is the best period to pay a visit. For outdoor fans, there are tons of opportunities to go hiking along the fjords, with trails for people at every experience level. There was snorkeling, sightseeing, luxury, comfort, & much more! Now read these: The pros and cons of living in Iceland The pros and cons of living in DenmarkThe pros and cons of living in SwedenThe pros and cons of living in FinlandThe pros and cons of living in Norway Choosing between Denmark and NorwaySweden vs Demark, how to decideIceland and Greenland, how they differ. Flag. #17 in Best Places to Visit in Switzerland. Theres a lot of competition between the two countries, because Sweden is more populated than Norway. If youre planning on going to just one destination, then wed recommend checking out Norway if youre interested in dramatic sights and incredible experiences. Today, were going to be covering the differences and similarities between Norway and Sweden. You can also take the opportunity when youre here to visit places like the Munch museum, or Viking Ship museum. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. itemWidth:300, House cleaning. after spending many weeks in these areas , over previous trips, we never cease to be impressed with alp areas, and they all offer similar experiences. Its a city for architecture and design lovers, with popular stops including the hidden church carved out of the bedrock and the Helsinki design museum. total water area. Is that part of Norway we are covering very similar to Switzerland scenery wise ? It also has a similar appearance to Switzerland and again German is spoken -, Chamonix & Mont Blanc area - this is very close to Switzerland in the south east part of France, and shares some of the same features -, Various parts of British Columbia, depending on what type of scenery you're looking for. The country is famous across the world for its picturesque landscapes. Many visitors come here for adventure trips and also get access to glacier hikes, summit tours, mountain climbing, and skiing. ", and Norway is "WHAT?? The average cost of living in Norway ( $1844) is 29% less expensive than in Switzerland ( $2604 ). There are other places though that do have beauty to rival them. Better in what way and what for ? early May could be different however, depends on the season/year. 1:02. }); I was there back in May of 2015 for about 2.5 weeks. 8.74M. Sweden and Norway are vastly different in terms of scenery and experience. Get answers to your questions about Iceland, Wild camping with a vehicle is illegal in Iceland, What ,,not to do when traveling in Iceland", Taxi/Bus costs from KEF Airport to Reykjavik. At the same time, a trip to Iceland wont require a visa as far as there is a valid passport for 6 months from the day of entry in Iceland. animationSpeed:600, Editor. There is a hippo hiding in the river . Sweden is more easily accessible by car, bus, train and air compared to Norway, and scores higher in infrastructure. Google up some pictures. I and my parents are visiting Europe this June-July. But if one wanted to do a walk/hike at one of the more scenic higher altitude trails those would be extremely dangerous at that time of year without proper equipment (more than most tourists are prepared for and depending on the children could be unsafe for kids) ; on routes that are a relative easy walk/hike in the summer months. On the one hand, youve got Sweden, where you can dine on delicious fish-based meals, buffet-style foods, and sip delicious drinks. Consumer Prices in Switzerland are 34.8% higher than in Norway (without rent) Consumer Prices Including Rent in Switzerland are 43.3% higher than in Norway: Rent Prices in Switzerland are 69.2% higher than in Norway: Restaurant Prices in Switzerland are 25.6% higher than in Norway: Groceries Prices in Switzerland are 44.0% higher than in Norway Season: Mixed (Late-winter and early-spring) Daylight: 8 to 13 hours in Oslo, 10 to 14 hours in Tromso. Choosing which stunning Scandinavian location to explore isnt easy. Both have high mountains, lakes, trolleys and glaciers. Many, if not most, of the mountainous areas of the northern hemisphere could be at least partially inaccessible due to snow in May. $('#metaslider_57769').metaslider_scale_layers({ Pocono Mountain Regional Police Commission. You decide. In both countries, it feels extremely liberating to have the freedom to go wherever you choose. I think that Switzerland has better public transport links and is more tourist friendly. If youre trying to decide whether to live in Sweden or Norway, youve got a much tougher decision to make. Accommodation is often cheaper in Norway compared to Finland ($51 vs. $63). The currency of Norway is Norwegian Krone and stands at an equivalent of 8.24 Indian rupees. $('#metaslider_57769 .msHtmlOverlay .layer[data-link], #metaslider_57769 .msHtmlOverlay[data-link]').each(function() { $('li:not(".flex-active-slide") .animated', slider).not('.disabled').each(function(index) { 4. bgwalthermart. We have already had a Fjord experience in Milford Sound, New Zealand. To compare both: I do fully agree with the posts of tanmat2 and AshisRoy! Sweden is a happy and comfortable place, ideal for people who want to get outdoors, but not expose themselves to too many challenges at once. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. High speed rail connects Stockholm with the other big cities Gothenburg and Malm, enabling tourists to explore them with relative ease. Also, the Nobel Peace Center located in the citys former railway station, Oslo is culturally rich and the people are amiable. Ramya Narrates The Story Of 6 Girls On An Extraordinary Trip To Thailand. Sweden's flag features blue and yellow, designed to personify generosity (yellow) and justice, loyalty, perseverance, and vigilance (blue). Similar touristy feel with tons of restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and accomodations. Are you planning to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And as May is an unusual month to travel with children unless they're not school-aged, it might also be helpful to know how young they are? These places in Norway should definitely be on your checklist: It is located on the western coast of Norway. Many of Icelands famous hot springs are found here. Please support us by making a contribution. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. animation:'slide', Prev. We find Austria so much cheaper and easier to travel through than Switzerland. -The scenery in Kashmir and Switzerland are both equally spectacular, but in my opinion Switzerland is far too overdeveloped. This we are assuming will be max we can do in about a week. Capital: Oslo; Population: 5,425,270; Surface Area: 624,499 km2; the other area that we very much enjoyed was surrounding the der dachstein , we stayed in ramsau, but there are other quaint villages nearby. }); The 510-mile Baltic Sea Route is the pick of the bunch. Oslo is the capital city of Norway and is a hub for various tourist destinations. Situated right along the stretch of . So as much as we love the Swiss Alps (and hope to be back many times), we still are drawn to the American and Canadian West while we're still able to complete longer, more strenuous hikes (and enjoy the search for moose, bear, elk, eagles, etc.). Symphony Orchestra of Northern Iceland is very popular here. Oslo combines the natural and urban elements of Norway into a unique experience travellers love. Of course, no trip to Finland would be complete without a sauna experience. Have Questions? Here, the elements rule and exploring this vast, white continent will seem daring and extreme to many. The park is also home to Vettisfossen, which at 275 meters (900 feet) is the highest waterfall in Norway. Swedish girl names: Your list of top Swedish female names, Swedish boy names: Popular Swedish male names, Viking video games: Video games with Viking and Norse mythology, The Best Bike Tours in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Nordic countries are known around the world for their unique history and culture. Cities: Norway +1 This is an unfair comparison because cities are a function of the population, and Norway has more than 16 times the amount of people than Iceland. Norway has the same kind of right, where you can walk around freely, as long as you protect nature, and dont leave any trash wherever you go. The Irish are also some of the friendliest people in the entire world who love to chat and meet visitors - so be prepared to meet and greet the locals! Suggested Read: 8 Magnificent Waterfalls In Iceland Every Nature Lover Out There Must Visit. You can also visit Grimsey Island in Akureyri, which is a home to one hundred people and a million seabirds. direction:'horizontal', Norways second biggest city has a fascinating history to uncover, before road, rail and passenger ferry links take you into the heart of the country. we were in the dolimites in may and it was so quiet ( no tourists) , as it is between seasons. Join thousands of others and stay up to date with the our latest articles. Either way for a May trip much needs to be considered other than beauty of the destination. You can even take a trip to Gothenburg and check out the bohemian Haga district. I found Norwegians in Oslo to be pretty down to earth. We have summarised below the main similarities and differences in business culture between Switzerland and the five Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. If youre considering whether to visit Sweden or Norway, Sweden can promise a much simpler tourist experience, thanks to fewer fjords. Most any mountain area you are taking a chance with a May trip. score for Swiss. Re: Norway or Switzerland. Other beautiful mountains can be found in Alaska, Canada, and California ( the Sierras), but we were not thrilled with the mountains of New Zealand. First, let's start with the colors. }; I know you said you plan on only visiting Oslo and Bergen, but in my opinion Northern Norway cannot be missed. Norwegians are perhaps more individualistic than swedes, but swedes might be more fun. 2. Tero Laakso (CC) Hiking: Norway vs Sweden. Norway was beautiful. hope this helps. This is a very rough sketch of what we might consider doing in the two countries: Iceland : Take the ring road in anti-clockwise direction, exploring all the attractions in route till we are all the way up at Akureyri. The Dolomites of Italy are spectacular and at times other-worldly, especially at sunset. If you just want to visit the best destination in Scandinavia, wed recommend planning to go to all of the regions whenever you can. 71st. Not Adventure Lovers? Outside of Bergen, there are plenty of other spots to soak up some natural beauty, like the Lofoten islands, where you can board a ship and interact with the locals. Rent is much more expensive in Norway than Sweden, up to 32% higher in fact. Below, we preview the Switzerland vs. Portugal odds and lines, and make our best UEFA Nations League bets, picks and predictions.. window.setTimeout(timer_metaslider_57769, 100) : !jQuery.isReady ? If you want to visit the place during midnight Sun, a phenomenon where the sun never sets, you should visit in July or August. The fjords are definitely worth adding to your bucket list of sights to see, and there are great opportunities to view the Northern Lights too. Both have high mountains, lakes, trolleys and glaciers. Norway and Australia living comparison. Though I enjoyed (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Have a look at. 3. nextText:">", 4. 1 280 km. When you're house and pet sitting, you provide free house and pet care. It is also called the gateway to the iconic northwestern fjords and surrounding alpine mountains. One thing they have in common is that they are both quite expensive in terms of lodging and foods. do a search in the tab at the top for previous posts. Both regions are low on crime, and both can be quite welcoming to new community members, so you shouldnt worry too much about not fitting in. The fjord is located in the Fjordane district between Flam and the Beitelen Mountains and flows through the local authorities of Vik, Aurland, and Lrdal and near the villages of Flam, Aurlandsvangen, and Undredal. Now the final question is, which is it for you? Stein am Rhein is a European town that is so idyllic that it looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. prevText:"<", $(e.target).closest('a').length) { Norway has: 1.Education: Norway provides free education for all 2.Natural Beauty: Norway has natural beauty present in the form of northern Lights and snow 3.Infrastructure : Norway has better infrastructure 4.Mythology : Norway has an own mythology called Norse Mythology. Having done some number crunching, Iceland is generally more affordable than Norway by around 15%. }); Start by checking out the amazing capital city of Oslo, where youll find some forward-thinking architecture and even heated roads to tackle the snow. }, Personally - and it's a close run thing - I'd say that if I had the choice, and I'd spent some time in Switzerland beforehand, I'd go for Iceland. About two-thirds of Norway is mountainous, and off its much-indented coastline lie, carved by deep glacial fjords, some 50,000 islands. We also provide a more detailed climate comparison of both countries. You can also learn about Swedens history with the Vikings at destinations like Sigtuna Viking Town or check out some of the local museums for a deep dive into the heritage of the locals. Sweden is a lot greener than Norway, with tons of forests and beautiful landscapes to explore. Sweden 2. Iceland is no less when it comes to places with breathtaking scenery and awe-inspiring beauty. }); In 2022, the Tour de France comes to Denmark, further highlighting the countrys benefits for cycling.