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

Should you visit Riga or Saaremaa?

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

Should I visit Riga or Saaremaa? 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.

Riga

Riga is a unique, historical, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a traditional, quiet, and calm island. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Riga and Saaremaa: Pros and Cons

How is Riga different from Saaremaa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Riga or Saaremaa Better for Food?

Both Riga and Saaremaa offer a number of unique restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Riga. The city offers a great opportunity to try many Latvian specialties including rasol (a potato salad), pelmeni (a Latvian dumpling), and karbonade (kind of like schnitzel). The cuisine is hearty and filling with lots of bread, dumpling, and meats. Riga is also where you'll find the largest food market in Europe, which is the perfect place to wander and pick up some local items.

Saaremaa has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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 Riga or Saaremaa Better for Nightlife?

With more options to choose from, you'll find a more vibrant nightlife in Riga.

Riga is a world class party destination. Despite being a small city, this capital has gained a reputation for its party atmosphere. The historic center comes to life in the evenings, particularly between Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is compact enough that you can walk from club to club and prices are reasonable.

Saaremaa doesn't offer many options. 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 Riga or Saaremaa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Saaremaa.

Riga is a family-friendly place to visit. During the winter months, there are a number of museums that are fun to explore with kids including the Nature Museum, the Railroad Museum, the Aviation Technology Museum, and the Riga Firefighter Museum. There are also several indoor play areas. When the weather is warmer there are a number of outdoor parks and playgrounds to explore.

Saaremaa is a family-friendly city. 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 Riga or Saaremaa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Saaremaa make for a good place to visit.

Riga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a charming old town that you can explore, taking time to relax in the city squares or sip coffee at a cafe. There are also many nice restaurants that will make for a romantic date night.

Saaremaa makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Riga or Saaremaa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

While Saaremaa and Riga are both good for backpackers, overall Riga is more popular.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Riga. There are many affordable hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can grab a cheap meal. The city offers a great European experience at a fraction of the price of many cities.

Plenty of backpackers visit Saaremaa. 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 Riga or Saaremaa Better for Public Transit?

While Saaremaa and Riga both provide public transit, overall the system in Riga is considered to be better.

Riga has some very good public transit options. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

Public transit is quite limited 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 Riga or Saaremaa a more walkable city?

Riga is considered more walkable than Saaremaa.

Riga is a very walkable city. The city is small enough that most areas can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Saaremaa or Riga?

How long in Riga or Saaremaa?

It's fun to spend time in either Riga or Saaremaa. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Riga is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Saaremaa is 2-4 days.

One day in Riga or Saaremaa?

The beautiful city of Riga offers food and shopping. 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 is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Riga or Saaremaa?

Riga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Riga, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Saaremaa is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Riga or Saaremaa?

Riga is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Saaremaa is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This island offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Riga or Saaremaa?

Riga is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Because Saaremaa is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

When is the best time to visit Riga or Saaremaa?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Riga or Saaremaa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Saaremaa. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Saaremaa in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Riga is around the same temperature as Saaremaa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July are around 17°C (63°F), and Saaremaa is about 17°C (62°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Saaremaa. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Saaremaa in the Autumn?

Both Saaremaa and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Riga is generally cooler than Saaremaa. Temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Saaremaa stays around 8°C (47°F).

In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Saaremaa. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Riga or Saaremaa in the Winter?

Both Saaremaa and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the cuisine.

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. Riga can be very cold during winter. Riga is much colder than Saaremaa in the winter. The temperature in Riga is usually -5°C (23°F) in January, and Saaremaa stays around -3°C (27°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in January than Saaremaa. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Saaremaa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Saaremaa. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the spring. In the spring, Riga is much warmer than Saaremaa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April are around 5°C (42°F), and Saaremaa is about 4°C (38°F).

In April, Riga usually receives more rain than Saaremaa. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saaremaa and Riga