Denmark or Sweden: Where to Visit in Scandinavia?

Choose Denmark for compact charm with families and short city breaks, or Sweden for longer nature-focused adventures. Denmark attracts visitors seeking cultural experiences in Copenhagen’s vibrant waterfront and historic castles, while Sweden offers medieval Stockholm and pristine northern wilderness for wildlife watching. Your preference for urban exploration versus natural immersion should guide your decision. The right Scandinavian experience awaits when you know what each country truly excels at.

Good To Know

• Sweden attracts more visitors with 47 million guest nights versus Denmark’s 24 million, offering longer nature trips for adventure seekers.
• Denmark appeals to families and travelers over 50, featuring shorter city stays, Copenhagen’s food scene, and historic sites like Rosenborg Castle.
• Sweden showcases Stockholm’s medieval Gamla Stan, the 600-room Royal Palace, and northern wilderness perfect for wildlife viewing.
• Denmark offers better winter deals with 34% hotel occupancy in February, while Sweden peaks in July with 13.4 million overnight stays.
• Both countries prioritize sustainable tourism with eco-certifications, carbon offsets, and green transportation options like e-bikes and carbon-neutral ferries.

Tourism Statistics: Denmark vs. Sweden by the Numbers

When you compare Denmark and Sweden’s tourism landscapes, the numbers tell quite a story. Denmark welcomed 63.7 million visitors in 2024, with 32.5 million being international travelers. Meanwhile, Sweden recorded 8.4 million international overnight visitors in 2024, up 16% from the previous year.

Looking at guest nights, Sweden clearly dominates with 47 million in 2024—more than double what Denmark reported (about 24 million). Sweden has consistently maintained about 40% share of total Nordic guest nights throughout the years. Both countries attract visitors from Germany and Norway, but Sweden’s overall appeal seems stronger by the numbers.

Denmark’s tourism is growing steadily, with domestic travelers making up 60.3% of accommodation stays. Copenhagen remains its biggest draw. While neither country typically features among the luxury destinations that dominate European tourism like the Mediterranean coast or Alpine regions, they offer unique Nordic experiences.

If you’re deciding between these Scandinavian neighbors, Sweden attracts more travelers overall, while Denmark offers a more balanced mix of local and foreign visitors.

Top Attractions Worth Your Time in Both Countries

Both Denmark and Sweden boast incredible attractions that’ll make any traveler’s itinerary shine. Whether you’re drawn to historic castles or modern architectural wonders, these Nordic neighbors deliver unforgettable experiences.

Discover Nordic treasures where ancient history meets bold innovation in these Scandinavian gems.

• Royal Residences: Tour Denmark’s Renaissance Rosenborg Castle with its crown jewels or Sweden’s magnificent Stockholm Palace with its 600+ rooms and changing-of-the-guard ceremony.
• Maritime History: Explore Viking longships at Denmark’s Roskilde Museum or Sweden’s salvaged 17th-century Vasa warship.
• Urban Icons: Don’t miss Copenhagen’s colorful Nyhavn waterfront and historic Round Tower, or Stockholm’s medieval Gamla Stan with its charming cobblestone streets.
• Modern Marvels: Visit Copenhagen’s cutting-edge Opera House or snap photos of Malmö’s twisting Turning Torso skyscraper overlooking the Øresund Bridge. Each country offers a distinctly European getaway with its own cultural charms and architectural heritage.

The Øresund Bridge makes exploring both countries during one trip remarkably convenient, allowing travelers to cross between Copenhagen and Malmö via this impressive combined bridge-tunnel structure opened in 2000.

Accommodation Options and Where to Stay

After exploring those stunning attractions, you’ll need a comfy place to rest your head at night. Both countries offer distinct lodging experiences worth considering.

Denmark features plenty of hotel rooms (over 64,000) with bargain rates during February’s low 34% occupancy season. For a more homey experience, try Danish holiday houses along coastal areas—perfect for families wanting flexibility. If you’re considering Croatia instead, Dubrovnik offers top snorkeling spots with accommodations near its beautiful coastline.

Sweden boasts impressive capacity, hosting 13.4 million overnight stays in July 2024 alone. With 58% year-round occupancy, you’ll find everything from boutique hotels to hostels across cities and countryside. Comprehensive data from Tillväxtverket’s statistics shows monthly occupancy trends from 2020 through early 2025.

Room rates in Sweden average around 1,209 SEK, slightly higher than previous years.

For the best deals, consider Denmark’s off-peak travel in winter or booking Swedish accommodations early for summer visits when demand skyrockets.

Visitor Demographics: Who Goes Where and Why

Looking at who chooses which country reveals fascinating patterns about travel preferences. Denmark attracts more international overnight stays (50% of Nordic totals), with Germans, Swedes and Norwegians making quick cultural city breaks.

Sweden pulls in nature lovers seeking its vast wilderness and “freedom to roam” traditions. Sweden recorded nearly 29 million bed nights during Summer 2024, making it the most visited among Nordic countries.

Your fellow travelers will differ based on destination:

• Denmark: Families and 50+ travelers seeking accessibility, affordability, and compact cultural experiences
• Sweden: Adventure seekers heading north for Aurora viewing or south for coastal heritage

Denmark visitors typically take shorter city stays with higher transport spending.

Sweden attracts those planning longer nature-exploration trips, often spreading across multiple destinations.

Denmark’s “hygge” culture draws those wanting coziness, while Sweden appeals to folks seeking authentic wilderness experiences and minimalist design.

Both countries mirror the travel patterns seen in other Mediterranean options, where visitors to Malta tend to seek compact cultural experiences, while Greece attracts those wanting diverse island exploration.

Sustainable Travel Experiences in Scandinavia

While Scandinavia has always cherished its natural environment, today’s travelers will find sustainability woven into virtually every aspect of tourism in both Denmark and Sweden.

Denmark shines with its climate-conscious transportation. You’ll zip between attractions on e-bikes or carbon-neutral ferries, especially when exploring coastal regions. Their “Green Getaways” bundle train travel with regional discounts—smart and eco-friendly. If you’re looking for a change of scenery, consider taking a day trip to the beautiful mountains near Geneva for breathtaking views and hiking opportunities.

Sweden excels in nature-based sustainability. The Swedish Ecotourism Society’s guidelines protect Arctic experiences, while solar-powered lodges in Lapland let you witness the aurora with minimal environmental impact. Don’t miss their Dark Sky Parks for stellar stargazing. The country’s allemansrätten, or “right to roam” policy, attracts nature enthusiasts who can freely explore Sweden’s pristine wilderness while adhering to responsible tourism practices.

Both countries feature Nordic Ecolabel certifications for accommodations and automatically include carbon offsets in many bookings.

For the greenest experience, try zero-waste cooking classes or volunteer with Sami communities.

Cultural Highlights and Hidden Gems

Beyond eco-friendly adventures, Scandinavia’s cultural opulence creates memories that’ll stick with you long after you’ve returned home. Both Denmark and Sweden offer remarkable cultural experiences with their own distinct flavors.

Sweden greets you with Stockholm’s medieval Gamla Stan and the impressive Vasa Museum, while Denmark charms with Copenhagen’s colorful Nyhavn harbor and historic castles.

Don’t miss these hidden gems across both countries:

• Stockholm’s Royal Palace and winding alleyways of Gamla Stan
• Copenhagen’s Rosenborg Castle and vibrant food scene with Michelin-starred restaurants
• Malmö’s blend of Gothic architecture and the modern Turning Torso Tower
• The scenic Helsingør-Helsingborg ferry ride connecting both countries

Swedish midsummer celebrations and Danish folk festivals showcase authentic local traditions worth timing your visit around. For wildlife enthusiasts, Sweden offers excellent bear watching opportunities in its pristine northern forests. When interacting with locals, expect Swedes to be more reserved and conflict-averse while Danes tend to display a more spontaneous and open communication style.

The Sum Up

Whether you’re drawn to Denmark’s cozy hygge or Sweden’s vast wilderness, your Scandinavian compass isn’t pointing to a right or wrong choice—just different paths on the same northern journey. Like the ancient Viking ships that once navigated these waters, you’ll chart your own course. The midnight sun and northern lights await, illuminating whichever shore you choose to explore first.