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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Bern?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Bern, 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 traditional, quiet, and calm island. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food and beaches.

Bern

Bern is a cultural, historic, and charming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Bern: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Bern?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bern than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bern is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Saaremaa is more popular for its food, beaches, and small town charm. Bern is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Also, Bern is famous for The Zytglogge Clock Tower. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Bern?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bern is great for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bern can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saaremaa is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Saaremaa or Bern Better for Nightlife?

Bern is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Bern has a few options to choose from. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

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 Bern Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a popular place for its beaches. However, Bern is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Bern is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Bern Better for its Old Town?

Bern is great for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bern to see the historical old town. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Bern?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bern. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Bern Better for Families?

Bern 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 Bern. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

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 Bern Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Bern are both very good to visit as a couple.

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.

Bern is a very popular place to visit for couples. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

Is Saaremaa or Bern Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bern is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

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 Bern Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bern 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 Bern can get you to most places easily. There are trams and buses that run around town.

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 Bern a more walkable city?

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

Bern is a very walkable destination. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

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 Bern Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bern or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Bern?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saaremaa and Bern. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saaremaa than in Bern. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bern.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Bern?

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 city of Bern offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Bern?

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.

Bern 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 Bern, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Bern?

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.

Bern is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

A week in Saaremaa or Bern?

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.

Bern is a great place to explore. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Bern, we can see that Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Bern Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Bern?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Bern, 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 Bern?

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 Saaremaa or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saaremaa is cooler than Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Bern. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Bern. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bern in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Bern. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Bern during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Bern. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bern in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Bern. The winter months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. Saaremaa is much colder than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Bern. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Bern. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bern in the Spring?

Both Bern and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Bern during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Bern. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bern and Saaremaa