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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Flam?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Flam, 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 relaxed, traditional, and quiet island. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches.

Flam

Flam is a breathtaking, beautiful, and natural village. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food and hiking.

Saaremaa and Flam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Flam?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Flam than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Flam is better known for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Saaremaa is more popular for its beaches and small town charm. Flam is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its beautiful fjords and natural beauty as well as its popularity as a cruise ship port. Also, Flam is famous for the Stegastein Viewpoint. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Flam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Flam is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Flam. Hiking and natural beauty is why you visit this area, but there is the Flam Railway Museum that you can visit as well.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Flam can be difficult as they are each great in their own way.

Saaremaa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Flam makes for a great culinary experience. Local restaurants make use of seasonal ingredients and local fish and meat. You'll also find many berries and a local goat cheese at many restaurants as well.

Is Saaremaa or Flam Better for Nightlife?

Flam is adequate for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

Flam doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Most people visit as a day trip, so you won't find a huge nightlife scene in this small town. There are some local bars and breweries around town though.

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 Flam Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a good destination for its beaches. However, Flam is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Flam is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Flam Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Flam for the hiking trails. There are many great hikes just outside of town that are varied in length and challenge level. Both tourists and locals enjoy hiking in the area, so you'll get some of the best advice on where to go from any locals that you meet. Popular trails include the Flåmsdalen hike from Myrdal to Flam and the hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall.

Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Flam?

Flam is adequate for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Flam has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping centers and malls near town where you can grab anything you may have forgotten.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Flam Better for Families?

Flam 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 Flam. The fjords and mountain beauty make this a great place for a family adventure. Myrkdalen is also just 45 minutes away by car and it's filled with many mountain activities.

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 Flam Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Flam are both great 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.

Flam is a very popular place to visit for couples. Stunning natural beauty and dramatic fjords make this a great romantic destination. Couples who enjoy hiking and explore nature will enjoy days in this special place.

Is Saaremaa or Flam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Flam are notable 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.

Flam is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels in the area that help keeps prices more affordable for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Flam 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 Flam offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a local bus service through the area.

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 Flam a more walkable city?

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

Flam is a very walkable destination. There are many great walks in the area.

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 Flam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Flam or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Flam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saaremaa or Flam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saaremaa than Flam 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 1-2 days is enough time in Flam.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Flam?

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 village of Flam offers food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Flam?

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.

Flam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this village makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Flam, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Flam?

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.

Flam 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 Flam?

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.

Flam is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This village 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 Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Saaremaa and Flam, we can see that Flam 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 Flam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Flam?

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

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 Flam in the Summer?

Both Flam and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Flam in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saaremaa is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Flam averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Flam. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Saaremaa is generally around the same temperature as Flam. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Flam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Flam. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Flam because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Flam can be very cold. Saaremaa can be very cold during winter. Saaremaa is much colder than Flam in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Flam. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Flam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Flam. The spring months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Flam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Flam averages at about 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Saaremaa