A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Savonlinna vs. Grindelwald for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Savonlinna or Grindelwald?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Savonlinna or Grindelwald? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Savonlinna or Grindelwald?

Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of 35,504 inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle". The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle. Savonlinna is a historical borderland where the cultures and traditions of East and West meet. As the oldest town in Eastern Finland, Savonlinna is famous for its world class opera festival in the medieval castle surrounded by blue waters of Lake Saimaa. With its 100 year old steamships and unparalleled selection of experiences and activities, Savonlinna is a the real gem of Lakeland Finland.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald, Switzerland is a glacier village located in the picturesque Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. The Jungfrau Region encompasses many small villages and was chosen as the first Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This Alpine paradise has been a popular destination since the 17th century, due to its natural beauty and fantastic hiking and skiing trails.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Switzerland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savonlinna and Grindelwald, we can see that Grindelwald is more expensive. And not only is Savonlinna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Savonlinna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Savonlinna and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Grindelwald would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grindelwald than you might in Savonlinna.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Savonlinna Expensive? and Is Grindelwald Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Grindelwald?

Savonlinna has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Grindelwald. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Grindelwald, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Savonlinna or Grindelwald?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Grindelwald in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Grindelwald. Furthermore, many travelers come to Grindelwald for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Savonlinna is cooler than Grindelwald in the summer. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Grindelwald fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grindelwald this time of the year. In Savonlinna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Savonlinna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Grindelwald during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Grindelwald receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

Grindelwald receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Grindelwald. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Grindelwald in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Grindelwald. Additionally, many visitors come to Grindelwald in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In the autumn, Savonlinna is much colder than Grindelwald. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Savonlinna in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Grindelwald averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Grindelwald. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grindelwald receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Grindelwald. Savonlinna usually gets less rain in October than Grindelwald. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Grindelwald in the Winter?

Both Grindelwald and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Grindelwald for the skiing, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Grindelwald can be very cold during winter. Savonlinna can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Grindelwald. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around -11°C (13°F), and Grindelwald fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Grindelwald during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Grindelwald receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Grindelwald. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Grindelwald in the Spring?

Both Grindelwald and Savonlinna during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Grindelwald because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Savonlinna can be very cold during spring. Savonlinna is much colder than Grindelwald in the spring. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Grindelwald fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Savonlinna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Grindelwald. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grindelwald receives 176 hours of full sun.

Grindelwald gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Savonlinna usually gets less rain in April than Grindelwald. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Grindelwald and Savonlinna