A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Saaremaa for Food, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Athens or Saaremaa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Saaremaa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Athens

Athens is a energetic, historic, and ancient city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Athens offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Athens travel costs.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a relaxed, traditional, and quiet island. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Saaremaa attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food and beaches. See Saaremaa travel costs.

Athens and Saaremaa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Saaremaa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens. Although Athens and Saaremaa are popular destinations, Athens has more sights and attractions for tourists. Athens is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Athens is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also well known for The Acropolis. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Saaremaa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saaremaa and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Saaremaa?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Saaremaa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Athens is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saaremaa makes for a great culinary experience. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.

Is Athens or Saaremaa Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

Athens has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

People don't go to Saaremaa for the nightlife. The island is known for it's quiet, laid-back atmosphere, so you'll be hard pressed to find a party or active club, even during the more popular summer months.

Is Athens or Saaremaa Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a good destination for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa offers a nice beach destination. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Saaremaa Better for its Old Town?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Athens offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Saaremaa?

Athens is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Athens has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Athens or Saaremaa More Beautiful?

Saaremaa is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Saaremaa attracts visitors from all around. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.

Is Athens or Saaremaa Better for Families?

Athens is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Saaremaa is a family-friendly place to visit. While the island is known for its slow pace, there are still a number of fun activities where the kids can run and jump. There are several outdoor adventure parks and playgrounds that are great for young legs. Check out the playgrounds in Kuressaare or head out of town for more outdoor activities. When the weather's nice you can head to Kuressaare Beach or check out the ostrich farm in Muhu.

Is Athens or Saaremaa Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is great for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Saaremaa is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. The peace and quiet of the island make for a relaxing couple's getaway. You can enjoy the outdoors and feel like you've stepped back in time as you explore the laid back island in the Baltics.

Athens is a nice destination for couples. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Is Athens or Saaremaa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Saaremaa is a good city to visit for backpackers. While prices are cheap, transportation isn't great so you'll likely want to rent a car if you want to really explore the island. There are a number of rooms available for rent at an affordable price, particularly in the shoulder season, but you'll you'll only find a handful of hostels on the island.

Is Athens or Saaremaa Better for Students?

Athens is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

Athens is a great city to visit as a student. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

Is Athens or Saaremaa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

The public transit in Athens can get you to most places easily. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saaremaa. Most people arrive on the island by ferry. There are buses on the island but they cater mostly to locals. To really explore, you'll want to have access to a car.

Is Athens or Saaremaa a more walkable city?

Athens is great for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

Saaremaa is not a walkable city. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Saaremaa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saaremaa or Athens?

How long in Athens or Saaremaa?

It's fun to spend time in either Athens or Saaremaa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Athens due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-4 days is enough time in Saaremaa.

Families should spend more time in Athens than Saaremaa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Athens, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Athens than Saaremaa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Athens that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Saaremaa if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Athens.

One day in Athens or Saaremaa?

Athens is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Saaremaa?

Athens is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Saaremaa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Saaremaa?

Athens is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Athens, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Saaremaa?

Athens is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Athens has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Saaremaa, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Saaremaa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saaremaa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saaremaa 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Saaremaa.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Saaremaa?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Saaremaa, 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 Athens or Saaremaa?

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 Athens or Saaremaa in the Summer?

Both Saaremaa and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Athens is much warmer than Saaremaa in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Saaremaa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Saaremaa during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Saaremaa receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Saaremaa. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Saaremaa in the Autumn?

Both Saaremaa and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Athens is much warmer than Saaremaa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Saaremaa averages at about 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Saaremaa. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saaremaa receives 101 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in October than Saaremaa. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Saaremaa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Saaremaa. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the cuisine are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. In January, Athens is generally much warmer than Saaremaa. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Saaremaa fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Saaremaa during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Saaremaa receives 33 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Athens usually receives more rain than Saaremaa. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Saaremaa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Saaremaa. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. Athens is much warmer than Saaremaa in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Saaremaa fluctuates around 4°C (38°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Saaremaa. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saaremaa receives 196 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Saaremaa. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saaremaa and Athens