Choosing between two of the most spectacular countries on Earth is no easy task. On one hand, you have Switzerland, a real-life fairy tale that is constantly at the top of the list for having the highest quality of life. It is the most perfect country on the planet, from having the cleanest water to the most unbelievable landscapes. On the other hand, you have Iceland, one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and the world, home to volcanic landscapes, endless waterfalls, and gigantic glaciers.
Both offer otherworldly experiences, but they are vastly different worlds. Switzerland is a neutral country that doesn’t pick sides in wars and remains peaceful by any means necessary, while Iceland is a land of raw power where volcanic vents shoot out steam and glaciers wash up on black sand beaches.
If you are trying to decide which epic destination is right for you, this guide breaks down the experiences, the costs, and the adventures of these two incredible nations.
The Cost of Perfection: Budgeting for Switzerland
Switzerland is perfect, but that beauty really does come with a price. It is constantly at the top of the list for the most expensive countries. If you are planning a trip here, you need to be prepared. For example, even the cheapest rental car available can cost $180 per day.
You might wonder why it is so pricey. The average salary in the country is nearly $125,000, and they have the highest minimum wage of $25 per hour. However, anything from Switzerland is top-of-the-line quality. Whether it is food, watches, or trains, the Swiss are magicians when it comes to engineering.
Accommodations reflect this high standard as well. In a town like Interlaken, $300 a night gets you a standard hotel room with a view. While it is expensive, there is nothing like waking up in a new place and being amazed by all the incredible sights, especially from your hotel window.
When it comes to dining, prepare your wallet. A dinner out can cost you a significant amount. For instance, a cheese fondue dinner for two with a couple of glasses of wine can come out to around $120 USD. Surprisingly, wine is a lot cheaper than in America, costing only about $5 a glass, but the food prices are steep. If you are used to navigating high prices, perhaps similar to living in Manhattan, you might be prepared for the sticker shock. But rest assured, the experience is delicious and totally worth it.
The Raw Beauty of the Icelandic Highlands
While Switzerland offers refined perfection, the Icelandic Highlands offer raw, otherworldly landscapes. Located in the interior of the country, the highlands are an extremely unique region. To access them, you will need to go on some of Iceland’s F-roads, which are dirt roads that require a four-wheel-drive car.
One of the places you must visit is Landmannalaugar. It is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavik. The landscapes here are unbelievably colorful with so much raw beauty. You can hike through lava fields and up mountains where there is a good amount of volcanic activity with tons of vents shooting out steam. It is amazing, to say the least.
Nearby, you can find the crater lake called Bláhylur, which offers an epic setting with a green mountain in the back and iconic red craters nearby. There is also Sigöldugljúfur, an amazing canyon with sour waterfalls. This area is home to some of the most incredible places on Earth.
Alpine Adventures in Interlaken and Jungfraujoch
Switzerland is like one giant amusement park. Interlaken is a central hub where you can explore lakes, mountains, and valleys. From here, you can check off a major bucket list item: heading to the Top of Europe.
This is the highest point in the continent accessible by train. You have to take a 45-minute tram ride all the way to the top, but you get incredible views. You are able to just overlook all of the Alps and get these incredible views of the top of the mountains of Switzerland.
At around 11,000 feet, you might feel the altitude. It can make you feel a little woozy, but it is a feeling of being “super high” in the best way possible. A pro tip for this excursion: grab a Lindt mocha, which is a cappuccino with a fountain of Lindt chocolate put in it.
Up there, you can also visit the Ice Palace. You literally go inside of a glacier into freezing ice-cold rock. It is essentially a tunnel of ice. It is probably 0 degrees Celsius, so if you are just in a little sweater or thin cardigan, you are about to freeze. It is insane and might make you feel a little claustrophobic, but it is a tale you will tell your children.
Chasing Waterfalls in Southern Iceland
Southern Iceland is probably the most famous and popular region in all the country. It takes about two to three hours to get here from Reykjavik, and there are just so many attractions.
Seljalandsfoss is located right off the Ring Road. It is easily one of the most famous waterfalls in all of Iceland, and with good reason. What makes it so special is that you can walk behind it. The view is unreal, and if you come here during sunset, you will be able to see the setting sun through the waterfall.
Then there is Skógafoss, likely the most iconic waterfall in the country. Its drop is 60 meters high, and the power of the falls is insane. You can walk pretty close to the waterfall, surrounded by rainbows and mist everywhere.
For a different kind of water experience, you can hike to the Reykjadalur Hot Spring River. Iceland is famous for its hot springs, but what is special about this one is that it is a river. It is a long uphill hike that takes about an hour, but the hot springs are nestled in a valley with volcanic vents shooting out steam. There is a nice boardwalk that lines the river, and the water is about 40 degrees Celsius. It feels amazing and is well worth the long hike.
The Cleanest Water on Earth: Switzerland
While Iceland has hot water rivers, Switzerland has the cleanest water on the planet. You can just drink from random fountains around the country, and it is really good. Everywhere you go adventuring around Switzerland, you have these fountains with super fresh water.
You might think photos of Swiss lakes are photoshopped or Lightroomed to look more turquoise than they actually are. But when you visit a place like Brienz, you confirm that the water really is that blue. We learned that it is from the snow melting from the glaciers; the minerals from that and on the rocks come to the lake and give it this incredible turquoise blue color.
Driving through towns like Brienz feels like entering an Enchanted Village. You see restaurants that are almost older than America and walk down what are supposedly the most beautiful streets in all of Europe. You might even learn some German, like how “Ausfahrt” means exit.
Glaciers and Black Sand Beaches: Iceland’s East
If you continue East on the Ring Road in Iceland, you will find massive glaciers. Vatnajökull is the biggest glacier in all of Europe. A favorite spot is Svínafellsjökull, which is only a 10-minute hike to be rewarded with a massive glacier with such a unique color.
Nearby is Jökulsárlón, a massive lagoon full of glaciers. The lagoon connects to the ocean, and when the glaciers float out to sea, some of them wash up on Diamond Beach. It is the most bizarre thing ever having this black sand beach full of crystal clear ice chunks. It is a fascinating destination.
Speaking of black sand, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Southern Iceland is an incredible coastline. The sand is so black and unique. The best features are the Reynisdrangar rock formations, which are jagged sea stacks that jut out of the sea with constant waves pounding on them.
Another favorite is Stokksnes, located about 20 minutes from the town of Höfn. It is a picturesque black beach with the backdrop of the Vestrahorn mountain. The mounds of grass make for uniquely shaped sand hills, and the wind blowing the black sand adds to the magic of the place.
Extreme Adrenaline: Swiss Style
Switzerland is not just for sightseeing; it is for adrenaline. In Grindelwald, you can take a tram up a mountain and go Trotti biking down. These are crazy little tricycles that you literally take down the mountain. There are different stages, with the first being “flying.” You might think it is a rinky-dink little bike, but you will be flying down the mountain. It is hard to brake because you are going so fast, sometimes through clouds where you can’t see anything.
If that isn’t enough, you can go canyoning or even propel off a cliff. Imagine propelling down 150 feet straight down into a canyon. You have to suit up in wet suits because it is pretty darn chill.
For the ultimate view, try paragliding. You run off a mountain in a random backyard and fly away. Even if you are nervous and try backing out, once you are harnessed up, you are going. You might even see someone land nicely to calm your nerves, but the experience of flying over the Swiss landscape is unmatched.
The Epic Valleys: Thorsmork vs. Lauterbrunnen
Thorsmork in Iceland is named after the Norse god Thor, and this area definitely lives up to its name. It is hailed as having some of the most epic landscapes ever seen. However, getting here isn’t easy. Rental car companies often ban you from driving on this road because you need to cross several glacier rivers that can get really deep. You might need to go with a tour company in a beefed-up truck with huge tires.
We stopped at a glacier covered in ash from a recent volcanic eruption, which was a dramatic spot. The hike to the Valahnúkur viewpoint offers a 360-degree panorama of Thorsmork and all the valleys and glacial rivers. The weather is often cloudy and rainy, adding to the epicness.
In Switzerland, the valley experience is different but equally stunning. Lauterbrunnen is a town just a couple of miles away from Interlaken. It is much smaller and also much cheaper. You can find hotels here where you have a balcony with an incredible view of the waterfall. It feels like a movie set with church bells ringing and trains going around. It is picture perfect.
Unique Geological Wonders
Iceland is full of geological surprises. Fjaðrárgljúfur is one of the most famous canyons in Iceland. There is a trail that takes you on top of the canyon with several viewpoints. There is definitely a feeling that a few trolls and elves are hiding in there.
In the North of Iceland, you can visit Dettifoss, famous for being one of the most powerful waterfalls in all of Europe. It is 100 meters wide and 45 meters tall, fed by a glacial river. The power is so loud and the gray glacier water is stunning. Just a short drive away is Hafragilsfoss, a hidden gem that reminds you of the Grand Canyon, just the Iceland version.
You can also visit Stuðlagil Canyon, famous for its basalt columns. The rock formations here are fascinating. Similarly, Hengifoss in East Iceland is the third tallest waterfall in the country. What is so unique about it is the red layers of clay sandwiched between the stone; it is an intense red color rarely seen in nature.
Food and Culture: The Finishing Touch
In Switzerland, the food is as rich as the scenery. We mentioned the cheese fondue earlier. It is delicious and an experience you have to try. If you are a food lover who enjoys discovering the best local eats, much like the best burger in NYC , you will appreciate the high-quality ingredients Switzerland offers.
In Iceland, the culture is deeply tied to the land. In the Eastern Fjords, you find Seyðisfjörður, a charming little town and one of Iceland’s main cruise ports. One of the highlights is the rainbow road that leads up to the main church. If you have seen the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the iconic scene where he longboards is on the road you drive on your way to this town.
Also, on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Western Iceland, you will find Kirkjufell. It is a mountain literally shaped like a wizard hat. It is believed to be one of the most photographed mountains in all of Iceland and places don’t get more photogenic than this.
Comparison: The Breakdown
To help you decide, here is a quick comparison of what these two epic destinations offer based on our journey.
Switzerland vs. Iceland: The Experience Table
| Feature | Switzerland | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Landscape | Green valleys, turquoise lakes, Alps. | Volcanic craters, black sand, glaciers. |
| Water | Cleanest drinking water, blue lakes. | Hot spring rivers, massive waterfalls. |
| Transportation | Trains, trams, efficient roads. | F-Roads, 4×4 Super Jeeps, Ring Road. |
| Key Activity | Paragliding, Trotti biking, Fondue. | Hiking volcanoes, glacier walking, river crossing. |
| Vibe | Real-life fairy tale, perfect, neutral. | Otherworldly, raw beauty, dramatic. |
| Cost Factor | Expensive daily costs (food/transport). | Expensive logistics (car rental/gas). |
| Famous Spot | Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe). | Skógafoss / Diamond Beach. |
Conclusion
So, which destination is right for you?
If you want a real-life fairy tale where everything is picture perfect, the water is the cleanest on the planet, and the infrastructure is a feat of engineering, then Switzerland is your answer. You will enjoy the highest quality of life, incredible train rides to the Top of Europe, and charming villages like Brienz and Lauterbrunnen. Just be prepared for the high cost of this perfection.
However, if you are looking for raw, otherworldly beauty, where the landscapes change from red volcanic craters to massive blue glaciers and black sand beaches, then Iceland is the place. It offers a rugged adventure, from driving 4x4s on F-roads to hiking up hot spring rivers and walking behind waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss.
Both countries offer memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you are licking the ice inside a Swiss glacier or standing in the mist of Iceland’s Dettifoss, you are in for the trip of a lifetime.