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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Bali?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Bali, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saaremaa

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

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. Many visitors also come to Bali because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Bali travel costs.

Saaremaa and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Bali?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bali. Although Saaremaa and Bali are both popular with visitors, Bali has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bali is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saaremaa is known for its small town charm. Bali is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also home to Pura Lempuyang. Saaremaa is popular for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bali is an amazing island 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, Bali is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

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 Saaremaa or Bali Better for Nightlife?

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

Bali has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

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 Saaremaa or Bali Better for Resorts?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Saaremaa is not a resort destination.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Saaremaa is not a resort destination.

Is Saaremaa or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Saaremaa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Saaremaa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Saaremaa or Bali Better for Beaches?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for the beach. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Saaremaa. 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.

Is Saaremaa or Bali Better for Hiking?

Bali is great for hiking. However, Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Bali?

Bali is great for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Bali More Beautiful?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Bali because of it's amazing beauty. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Saaremaa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

Is Saaremaa or Bali Better for Families?

Bali 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 Bali. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

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 Saaremaa or Bali Better for Couples?

Bali is an amazing island to visit for couples. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for romance.

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Saaremaa is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Saaremaa or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is an amazing island 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 Bali, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Saaremaa is a good island 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 Saaremaa or Bali Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bali is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Bali offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

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 Saaremaa or Bali a more walkable city?

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

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

Saaremaa is not a walkable island. 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 Saaremaa Worth Visiting? and Is Bali Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bali or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Bali?

Saaremaa and Bali both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bali than Saaremaa because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 7-14 days is enough time in Bali.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali 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 Bali.

One day in Saaremaa or Bali?

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.

The beautiful island of Bali offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Bali?

Saaremaa is a fun place to experience. 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.

Bali is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Five days in Saaremaa or Bali?

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.

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than five days exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Saaremaa or Bali?

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.

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Bali, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa is in Europe and Bali is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa than you might in Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Bali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Bali, 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 Saaremaa or Bali?

Saaremaa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bali in the Summer?

Both Bali and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

In July, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Bali. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Bali. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 253 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in July than Bali. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bali receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bali in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Bali. The autumn months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Saaremaa is much colder than Bali in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Bali during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 266 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Bali. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bali receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bali in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Bali. The cuisine are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Bali. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Bali averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Bali. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 170 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Bali. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bali receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bali in the Spring?

Both Bali and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Bali. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Bali during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Bali. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bali receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Typical Weather for Bali and Saaremaa