Northern Europe is a hub of history, culture and natural beauty. It’s home to some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and the lesser-known Suomenlinna in Finland. But better yet it’s also where you’ll find the happiest countries in the world (here’s looking at you Finland!)
I know, I know, Northern Europe isn’t known for being a cheap destination. In fact, the expense of accommodation and eating out in Northern Europe turns many budget travelers and student travelers off BUT if you follow our wallet-friendly tips you will be certain to have an awesome time on a limited budget!
If you’re a student, keep in mind that your coursework shouldn’t take a hit because of your travels. If you need help with your academic writing while traveling, Academized is an essay service to go. Friends of ours have used this service and they found their expert assistance in helping them with essay writing to be top-class.
Tips to enjoy Northern Europe on a budget
- Book your activities in advance – For example at the Blue Lagoon if you buy an evening ticket and book it well in advance you can save up to 50% off the standard rate. On a similar note if you’re a student be sure to check if an attraction offers a student discount before booking. I know that Vigelund Park in Oslo and the Moderna Museet in Stockholm offer student discounts.
- Get public transport – If you want to avoid costly taxis or Ubers then public transport is the way to travel. In Oslo, they have an excellent and cheap public transport system called Ruters and in Stockholm, they have a fantastic metro system called Lokaltrafik. They also may offer student rates.
- Eat at street food stalls – If you want to save money while in Northern Europe, your best option is to swerve expensive restaurants and instead eat from street food stalls or food trucks. The hot dog stands in Reykjavik are famous!
- Stay at hostels – The most obvious way to do Northern Europe on a budget is to ONLY stay at hostels and save on costly hotels. A bed in a shared hostel room in cities like Stockholm and Oslo will set you back around €30. And many hostels have shared kitchens so you can cook yourself and save even more money!
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Best Places to Visit in Northern Europe if You’re on a Budget
The below-listed cities although may not be known as being cheap places to visit but they are all large cities so they have an abundance of hotels/hostels, cheap restaurants, and free things to do. Which is why they made the cut.
1. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden, it’s a vibrant and lively city that merges the modern and traditional effortlessly. The Old Town is where you’ll find the city’s most historic buildings places like the Royal Palace and the Opera House. Two must-visit spots in the city, in my opinion. And one of the most photogenic spots in all of Stockholm is here in the Old Town – the Gamla Stan. A historic square surrounded by colorful buildings.
In contrast, super-modern buildings like the Victoria Tower and Stockholm Stadsbibliotek make the city’s skyline very unique!
Fun fact, Stockholm is often referred to as the Venice of Northern Europe because of its unique location – it’s made up of 14 islands and connected by no less than 57 bridges.
Expect to spend between €80 to €100 per day in Stockholm.
The best things to do in Stockholm include –
Go museum hopping
Stockholm is home to over 100 museums. Some of my favorite ones to visit include the Vasa Museum which houses the Vasa ship which dates back to the 17th Century and sadly sank on its first voyage. We also enjoyed The Royal Palace and Skansen, a Zoo and the oldest open air museum in the world.
If art is your thing the Moderna Museet will be right up your street as it houses artworks by Picasso and Dali. The Fotografiska is another must-see in Stockolm and yep you guessed right – it is where you’ll find world-class photographs.
Visit one of the city’s islands
As I said, Stockholm is made up of 14 islands so why not spend a day here exploring one of its gorgeous islands? We love Öland – the largest island which is a popular summer vacation spot for locals thanks to its lovely beaches. On Öland, you’ll also find the historic Borgholm Castle. Björko island is another cool spot to visit as it’s here you’ll fund Birka, the country’s oldest town.
Eat great food
One of my favorite ways to experience a new city is by eating it’s food and local Swedish dishes like reindeer and pickled herring can be found on the menus of many restaurants here. If you’re a foodie you’ll be in heaven in Stockholm as two of the best restaurants in the world – Aloë and Frantzen are here. Both restaurants hold two Michelin stars!
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2. Copenhagen, Denmark
The quirky capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen is awash with color and regularly ranked as one of the happiest cities in the world. This buzzing city is home to the famous Little Mermaid Statue and the vibrant Nyhavn area but it’s also home to some slightly lesser-known attractions like the Christiansborg and Amalienborg palaces and the Round Tower which boasts the best view of the city!
If you love eating out, I’m sure you’re familiar with Noma, one of the top restaurants in the world. It has 3 Michelin stars and is located here in Copenhagen! However, if you’re on a budget dining here will likely be out of your league. So, instead head for Reffen an awesome street food market.
Expect to spend an average of €140 per day in Copenhagen.
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Rent a bike
Copenhagen is one of the great biking cities of the world. In fact, there are more bikes than people in Copenhagen. So, do as the locals do and rent a bike to see the sites. It’s cheap and environmentally friendly. Some of my favorite places to go for a bike ride include Kongens Have, Botanisk Have, and Ørsteds Park
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens is the world’s second-oldest amusement park. And it was the inspiration for Walt Disney World in Florida! Here you can admire the beautiful gardens, take a spin on the Ferris wheel ,and enjoy a fun cultural performance. My top tip is to visit here at night when it’s all lit up with fairy lights. It’s so magical!
You can BOOK your Tivoli Gardens entry ticket with unlimited rides here for just €47 per person.
Nyhavn
One of the most iconic spots in the city and one of the most Instagrammable. Nyhavn is a lovely place to take a walk next to the waterfront. Famous for its brightly colored buildings and bustling atmosphere. It’s perfect for people-watching.
3. Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki is a beautiful city filled with modern architecture, a vibrant culture and stunning nature. But, you’ll have to do your research before you go and plan your days here as many tourists find it a little dull on first impression. But, they just don’t where to look – if you know where to go and what to see you’ll surely fall in love with the city like I have.
For me, the Finnish Natural Library and the Helisnki Cathedral are must-visits but I also loved taking a day-trip to Suomenlinna and relaxing in a Finnish Sauna!
Budget travelers spend an average of €50 per day.
Here’s why Helsinki should be your next destination.
Design District
Helsinki is well-known for its design scene. And the Design Museum and the Design District were established in 2005 to make the city an even more fascinating one, Today, the Design District takes over 25 streets and is home to a network of shops, galleries and cafés. Start your walk of this area in Kaartinkaupunki where you will find the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture.
Suomenlinna
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this sea fortress is spread over six islets. It’s ideal for a day trip from the city, boasting a good dose of history and wide-ranging views.
Suomenlinna was built in 1748 and covers an area of 210 hectares and consists of 200 buildings!
Sauna Experience
While in Helsinki be sure to visit a Finnish sauna – there are lots of public ones in the city but I love Sauna Hermanni. You can wear a swimsuit, although the locals go naked.
4. Reykjavik, Iceland
The charming city of Reykjavik is filled with trendy Cafes, cool restaurants and stores as well as fascinating attractions like the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church. Thanks to tourism, this small, walkable city has changed beyond recognition over the last couple of years and that’s a good thing. As in the past it was often described as an underwhelming city with not a lot to do. But today, there’s plenty to fill your days in Reykjavik from walking along the scenic Reykjavik Lake to visiting the famed Blue Lagoon, which isn’t too far from the city center.
As for museums in the city, we love Perlan an interactive museum that teaches you all about the natural wonders of the country.
Plus, it’s the perfect hub from which to experience Iceland’s timeless wilderness – like the Golden Circle.
Expect to spend around €100 per day here!
Here’s how to spend your time in Reykjavik:
Blue Lagoon
Down the road from Reykjavik, the geothermal spa of the Blue Lagoon is a great place to soak and relax. It’s easily one of the most famous things to do in Iceland but it sells out quick so you should book your ticket well in advance. As I said earlier, my top tip is to book an evening ticket for the Blue Lagoon as it’s cheaper and will be a more peaceful experience.
BOOK your ticket for the Blue Lagoon here which includes transport from Reykjavik for around €150.
Golden Circle Tour
It’s one of the most popular day tours from the city and visits Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall), and you’ll almost certainly meet a lot of other tourists (at least in summer).
BOOK your Golden Circle Tour here from only €54!
Northern Lights
In Reykjavik, you can spot the Northern Lights from September to April which is an amazing spectacle. The best spots to witness the Northern Lights in Reykjavik is from Oskjuhlid Hill or the Seltjarnarnes peninsula.
5. Oslo, Norway
The hipster city of Oslo, the largest city in Norway combines a beautiful natural environment with a thriving cultural scene. This city is surrounded by nature and one of the best things to do here is to go on a boat tour of the breathtaking Oslofjord. It’s also a great destination to visit in the summer as there are numerous beaches here. The most popular being Huk and Paradisbukta.
There’s also plenty of great museums here, including the National Gallery and The Ibsen Museum. But the neighborhood of Tøyen for me, is the best place to see art in the city as it’s filled with unique, colorful murals from local artists.
For eating out on a budget be sure to head to Mathallen Food Hall where you’ll discover over 30 food stalls.
Your daily spend in Oslo will average around €100 per day for those on a budget!
What to do while you’re in Oslo:
Vigeland Park
Featuring over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, this open-air sculpture park is perfect for art-lovers.
Viking Ship Museum
The Viking Ship Museum is a great place to learn about Norway’s Viking past and to see wonderful Viking ships and other artefacts still in great condition.
Oslofjord
A boat trip on the Oslofjord is a great way to take in the scenery and interesting little coastal islands. The closest one to the city is Hovedøya is the closest one and it’s one of the prettiest too thanks to the lush forests. But my favorite island is picture-perfect Lindøya island with its brightly-colored summer cabins.
6. Tallinn, Estonia
As one of the cheapest cities in Northern Europe, Tallinn is super-popular with budget travelers. Tallinn’s mediaeval old town is a living relic of times gone by and is home to the instantly recognizable Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Interestingly, Tallinn is one of the best preserved Medieval fortifications in the world. And there are a whopping 2km of historic walls surrounding the old town.
You could easily survive on a €50 daily budget in Tallinn – so as I said, it’s ideal for students and backpackers!
Here’s why you should visit Tallinn –
Old Town
Wander the cobbled streets of the old town, pass churches, squares and buildings, many of which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While you’re here be sure to the Kohtuotsa viewing platform for the best view of the Old Town.
Town Hall Square is a hive of activity in the Old Town and the pastel-colored buildings that surround the square house excellent Cafes and restaurants.
Toompea Castle
Go and see this mediaeval castle where the Estonian Parliament now resides, and enjoy fantastic views of the city from the observation platform.
Kadriorg Palace
This marvellous baroque palace and its accompanying park are ideal for strolling around on a Sunday afternoon. The Art Museum of Estonia is also located here.
What Northern Europe city should I visit?
Here’s a comparison of some key aspects of these Northern European cities:
| City | Main Attractions | Unique Features | Best Time to Visit |
| Stockholm | Museums, Royal Palace, Archipelago | Blend of modernity and tradition | Summer (June-August) |
| Copenhagen | Tivoli Gardens, Nyhavn, Biking | Vibrant biking culture | Spring and Summer (May-September) |
| Helsinki | Design District, Suomenlinna, Sauna | Modern design and traditional sauna | Summer (June-August) |
| Reykjavik | Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, Aurora | Geothermal spas and natural wonders | Winter (September-April for Aurora) |
| Oslo | Vigeland Park, Viking Museum, Fjord | Combination of natural and cultural sites | Summer (June-August) |
| Tallinn | Old Town, Toompea Castle, Kadriorg | Well-preserved mediaeval architecture | Summer (June-August) |
FAQs
Q: What is the best time to visit Northern Europe?
In general, summer is the best time to visit Northern Europe (from June to August), when temperatures are warm and the evenings long. It typically doesn’t get dark here until around 10 pm in the summer. However, winter is a good time to visit, too (although cold!), especially if you want to see the Northern Lights or stay in an igloo.
FYI, the countries in Northern Europe include Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland. The
Q: Is it expensive to travel in Northern Europe?
Actually, northern Europe is not that expensive provided you are careful with your money. You can save a lot by staying in a hostel, using long-distance buses instead of trains, eating at street food stalls and booking student tickets where possible.
Q: Are these cities safe for solo travellers?
Yes. You will be fine as a solo backpacker in Northern Europe provided you take the standard precautions. Be mindful of your surroundings, keep your belongings safe (i.e. don’t have any flashy jewelry on show and keep your passport locked in a safe at your accomodation.
Q: Do I need a visa to travel to Northern Europe?
Passport holders from over 150 countries will need to get a Schengen Visa before arriving in Northern Europe. If you’re a citizen of an EU or EEA country you won’t need a Schengen Visa. Countries outside of these areas that don’t require their citizens to get a visa include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, etc.
Thanks for Reading!
Whew, thanks for sticking with ’til the end! Those were 6 of the best places to visit in Northern Europe on a budget. What did you think? Was there any city that I missed?
Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by snaphappytravel