A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saaremaa vs. Bled for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saaremaa or Bled?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Bled, 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.

Where Should I go: Saaremaa or Bled?

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.

Bled

Bled is an incredibly scenic place, on the east side of Lake Bled. The lake is a beautiful, rich, emerald green. There's a small island in the middle of the lake where you'll find a nice white chapel. The lake is surrounded by striking green mountains, among which you'll find the Bled Castle overlooking the scene. Bled also offers access to the nearby Triglav National Park, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies. Within the national park you'll find countless waterfalls and the lovely Lake Bohinj. You can find plenty of opportunities for mountain climbing, rafting, and hiking. There's even a cable car if you're looking for an easy way to get some good views of the mountains and landscape.

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


Which place is cheaper, Bled or Saaremaa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saaremaa is €101, while the average daily cost in Bled is €104. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saaremaa and Bled in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saaremaa 36
    Bled 56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saaremaa 72
    Bled 112
Compare Hotels in Saaremaa and Bled

Looking for a hotel in Saaremaa or Bled? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Saaremaa


Hotels in Bled


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bled Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saaremaa 47
    Bled 34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Saaremaa:


  • Rental Car and Gas for a Day
    34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bled

Also for Bled, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer from Tolmin to Ljubljana city: $206
  • Private Transfer from Bohinj to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $165

Is it cheaper to fly into Saaremaa or Bled?

Prices for flights to both Bled and Saaremaa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saaremaa 37
    Bled 28
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:


  • Salmon
    1.28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bled

For Bled, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food Tour Bled - Explore Slovenia Through Its Tastes: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saaremaa 21
    Bled 12

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bled

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bled's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Rafting
    93

Tours and Activities in Bled

For Bled, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hour Scenic Quad Tour in Bled: $153
  • 7 Alpine Wonders- Day Tour Bled, Soca valley, Slovenia : $167
  • Bled Slovenia: 3–Hour Rafting Experience: $59
  • Bled eBike Tour: $80
  • Bled eBike Tour : $108
  • Bled lake day tour from Ljubljana: $91
  • 3-Hour Exclusive Lake Bled Canyoning Adventure: $159
  • 3-Hour Family-Friendly Rafting Adventure: $59
  • EBike Tour Lake Bled & Triglav National Park Private: $289
  • Guided Canyoning Tour with Transport: $96
  • Guided Kayaking Tour in a Transparent Kayak: $74
  • Rafting and Zipline Tour: $83

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saaremaa 11
    Bled 14

Typical Alcohol Prices in Bled

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bled are as follows:


  • Bottle of Champagne
    18

Sample the Local Flavors in Bled

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bled:

  • Slovenian wine tasting at Hotel Triglav Bled's wine cellar: $43
  • Wine Tasting Bled: $62
  • 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Bled: $63
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Bled: $64


When comparing the travel costs between Saaremaa and Bled, we can see that Bled is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Bled?

Saaremaa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bled. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Bled, 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 Bled?

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 Saaremaa or Bled in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Bled. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

In the summer, Saaremaa is cooler than Bled. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Bled averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bled this time of the year. In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bled during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Bled. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saaremaa 17°C (62°F) 
    Bled 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bled in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Bled. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Bled. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Bled fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Bled. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 167 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Bled. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saaremaa 8°C (47°F) 
    Bled 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bled in the Winter?

Both Bled and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the winter for the cuisine.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the winter. Saaremaa is much colder than Bled in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Bled fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Bled during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Bled. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saaremaa -3°C (27°F) 
    Bled 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bled in the Spring?

Both Bled and Saaremaa during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Saaremaa can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Bled. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Bled averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Bled. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 177 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Bled. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saaremaa 4°C (38°F) 
    Bled 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Bled and Saaremaa

Saaremaa Bled
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb -3°C (26°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar -1°C (30°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 4°C (38°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 4°C (39°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)