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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Bologna?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Bologna, 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. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Bologna

Bologna is a fun, historical, and culinary city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Bologna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bologna. Although Saaremaa and Bologna are popular destinations, Bologna has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bologna is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its beaches and small town charm. Bologna is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also well known for Piazza Maggiore. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna 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 Bologna?

Bologna is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bologna. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bologna 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, Bologna is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna is great for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Bologna for the nightlife scene. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

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 Bologna Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Saaremaa to enjoy the beach. 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.

Bologna is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Bologna to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Bologna?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Bologna Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Bologna are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Saaremaa offers lots of family activities. 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.

Bologna is a family-friendly place to visit. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Saaremaa or Bologna Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Saaremaa or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna 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 Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

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 Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

Bologna is a great destination for students. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Bologna 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 Bologna offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

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 Bologna a more walkable city?

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

Bologna is a very walkable destination. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

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 Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Bologna?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Bologna?

Saaremaa is a small town with plenty to do. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The beautiful city of Bologna 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 Bologna?

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saaremaa has to offer.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Bologna?

Saaremaa is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Bologna is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food 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.

A week in Saaremaa or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. Since Saaremaa is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Bologna is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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 Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Bologna because of the family-friendly experiences.

Saaremaa is cooler than Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Bologna. The autumn months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

In the autumn, Saaremaa is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Bologna. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Bologna. The cuisine are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bologna. It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. In January, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna 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. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. Saaremaa is much colder than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Bologna. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Saaremaa