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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Bremen?

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

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

Bremen

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

Saaremaa and Bremen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Bremen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bremen. Although Saaremaa and Bremen are popular destinations, Bremen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bremen is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its food, beaches, and small town charm. Bremen is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its beautiful historic center and its role as a cultural hub in Germany. It is also well known for The Historic Marktplatz. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

The Historic Marktplatz

How is Saaremaa different from Bremen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bremen 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 Bremen can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the city's landmarks are located around the famous Marktplatz. You can tour the Bremen Town Hall or wander around the Medieval Schnoor Quarter. Also make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Peter.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saaremaa is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bremen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Saaremaa is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bremen. The food is hearty and filling with many meat heavy dishes. Vegetarians may struggle to find local options. Traditional regional dishes include Kohl und Pinkel (kale and sausage), Labskaus (meat and stew), and fried smelt.

Is Saaremaa or Bremen Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Bremen for the nightlife scene. There's a variety of evening activities including cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and fine dining restaurants. Head to the Viertel District for some of the most lively clubs.

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 Bremen Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is very good for the beach. However, Bremen 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.

Bremen is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Bremen Better for its Old Town?

Bremen is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Bremen offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The old town is beautiful with its charming streets and beautiful buildings. There's a main market square which is filled with many landmarks and tourist sights.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Bremen?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bremen. The city offers a mix of historic shopping areas and large shopping malls. Some of the biggest shopping malls include Karstadt Bremen, Lloyd Passage, and Weserpark.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Bremen Better for Families?

Bremen 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 Bremen. Kids will appreciate a Sunday visit to the Bremen Town Musicians play which performs popular fairy tales. If the season isn't right, there are many other kid-friendly activities around town including Bürgerpark, the puppet theater, or visiting the beach at Café Sand. Popular museums in town for kids include Universum and Bremer Geschichtenhaus.

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 Bremen Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is notable for couples. Also, Bremen 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.

Bremen is a nice destination for couples. From its beautiful old town to its many great restaurants and shopping streets, couples will enjoy a romantic trip away in this beautiful city.

Is Saaremaa or Bremen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Bremen are nice places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Bremen is a good island to visit for backpackers. Backpackers love the old town and lively atmosphere. There are enough tourists around that you'll find a decent social scene and the atmosphere makes for a great visit.

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

Bremen 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 Bremen can get you to most places easily. The city has both trams and buses that offer easy accessibility to most of the tourist areas.

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 Bremen a more walkable city?

Bremen is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Bremen is a very easy city to get around on foot. It's one of the most walkable cities in Europe.

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 Bremen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bremen or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Bremen?

It's fun to spend time in either Saaremaa or Bremen. In our opinion, Bremen has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bremen than Saaremaa. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Bremen?

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Bremen 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.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Bremen?

Saaremaa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Bremen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bremen 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 Bremen?

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Bremen 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 Music Tours in Germany, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Bremen?

Bremen has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Bremen, 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 Bremen?

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 Bremen in the Summer?

Both Bremen 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bremen because of the family-friendly experiences.

Saaremaa is around the same temperature as Bremen in the summer. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Bremen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Bremen. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bremen receives 191 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Bremen. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bremen in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Saaremaa is cooler than Bremen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Bremen averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bremen during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Bremen receives 100 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Bremen. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bremen in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bremen. It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. In January, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Bremen. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Bremen fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Bremen. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bremen receives 41 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Bremen. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Bremen in the Spring?

Both Bremen 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 Bremen in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. Saaremaa is much colder than Bremen in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Bremen fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Bremen during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Bremen receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Bremen. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bremen and Saaremaa