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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Frankfurt?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Frankfurt, 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. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food and beaches.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Frankfurt?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Frankfurt. Although Saaremaa and Frankfurt are popular destinations, Frankfurt has more sights and attractions for tourists. Frankfurt is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Frankfurt is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

The Old Town Center

How is Saaremaa different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Frankfurt can be difficult as they are each excellent 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, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Saaremaa or Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Frankfurt for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

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 Frankfurt Better for Beaches?

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

Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Frankfurt has an old town worth visiting. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Frankfurt?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Saaremaa makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Saaremaa or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Frankfurt Better for Students?

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

Frankfurt is a great destination for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Frankfurt is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Frankfurt is top-notch. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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 Frankfurt a more walkable city?

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

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Frankfurt?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Frankfurt?

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Frankfurt is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Frankfurt?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Frankfurt 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Frankfurt, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Frankfurt?

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt?

Saaremaa is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Frankfurt is a great place to explore. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Frankfurt?

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

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Saaremaa is cooler than Frankfurt in the summer. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Frankfurt. The autumn months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

In the autumn, Saaremaa is cooler than Frankfurt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The cuisine are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Frankfurt. It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. In January, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Frankfurt in the Spring?

Both Frankfurt and Saaremaa during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the spring for the activities around the city.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. Saaremaa is much colder than Frankfurt in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Frankfurt. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Saaremaa