Most Affordable Scandinavian Countries

Some of the most expensive areas of Europe lie in the Scandinavian and Nordic regions. Traveling to Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, is not exactly what we’d call budget-friendly. However, if you’re willing to be a bit choosy you can still eke out an affordable trip in some of these countries.

Norway
A visit to Oslo is expensive enough to bust any budget, but the smaller city of Bergen offers a bit more bang for your buck. The gateway to the fjords has some relatively cheap — by Scandinavian standards — hotels in which to stay and you can even find a few great hole-in-the-wall restaurants that won’t cause you to go broke. Much of Norway’s appeal lies in its beautiful, rugged landscape, and hiking is either free or cheap in any country.

Finland
Finland is a pricey country but, thankfully, has plenty of attractions that can be visited for free. Helsinki is a great destination that is not only walkable, but offers places like the Rock Church, beaches, museums and other historic monuments at no charge to tourists. You can also save quite a bit of cash by buying food at the supermarkets rather than dining out at restaurants. Renting a bicycle is also a fairly affordable way to get around and the trains from city to city aren’t too expensive; they’re also great options for getting some safe sleep.

Denmark
Copenhagen alone is worth the cost of visiting Denmark. This immensely beautiful and walkable city is easy to get around on foot and contains delightful architecture, along with plenty of free museums and quirky destinations. Dining out is probably not an option if you’re on a strict budget, but you might be able to score a deal at Copenhagen Street Food for lunch. A walk around Nyhavn, the city’s harbor neighborhood, is a good option, as are the white cliffs of Møn and the Rubjerg Knude, Denmark’s buried lighthouse.