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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Geneva?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Geneva, 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. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food and beaches.

Geneva

Geneva is a classy, diverse, and international city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Geneva?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Geneva than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Geneva is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa is more popular for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Geneva is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Also, Geneva is famous for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Geneva 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 Geneva can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Geneva 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, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Saaremaa or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Geneva is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse 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 Geneva Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a good destination for its beaches. However, Geneva 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.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

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

Geneva has an old town worth visiting. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Geneva?

Geneva is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Geneva specifically to go shopping. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Geneva Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Geneva are both notable 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.

Geneva is a family-friendly place to visit. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Saaremaa or Geneva Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Saaremaa frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Saaremaa or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saaremaa is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Saaremaa or Geneva Better for Students?

Geneva is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

Geneva is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Geneva 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 Geneva is top-notch. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

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 Geneva a more walkable city?

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

Geneva is a very walkable destination. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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 Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Geneva?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Geneva?

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.

Geneva 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 Geneva?

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.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Geneva?

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.

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping 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 Geneva?

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.

Geneva is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Geneva?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Geneva, 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 Geneva?

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 Geneva in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Geneva. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Geneva in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saaremaa is cooler than Geneva. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Geneva averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saaremaa this time of the year. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Geneva. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Geneva in the Autumn?

Both Geneva and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Geneva. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Geneva in the Winter?

Both Geneva and Saaremaa during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Geneva can be very cold. Saaremaa can be very cold during winter. Saaremaa is much colder than Geneva in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Geneva. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Geneva in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Geneva. The spring months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Geneva averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Geneva during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Geneva. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Saaremaa