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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Gjovik?

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

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

Gjovik

Gjovik is a relaxed, accessible, and friendly town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Gjovik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Gjovik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Gjovik. Although Saaremaa and Gjovik are popular destinations, Gjovik has more sights and attractions for tourists. Gjovik is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting. Gjovik is famous for its beautiful surrounding countryside and nice landscape. It is also well known for the Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall.

How is Saaremaa different from Gjovik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Gjovik 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 Gjovik. There are a handful of sights and attractions near town such as the Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall and the Royal Palace.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Gjovik 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, Gjovik makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find many local restaurants that range from fine dining opportunities to local cafes. Dishes usually include local ingredients that are fresh and high quality.

Is Saaremaa or Gjovik Better for Nightlife?

Gjovik 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 Gjovik has a few options to choose from. You'll find some bars and pubs around town as well as a couple of nightclubs.

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 Gjovik Better for Beaches?

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

Gjovik is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Gjovik?

Gjovik is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Gjovik has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The town center has some nice retail shops with clothing and other interesting items.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Gjovik Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Gjovik 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.

Gjovik is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find a combination of museums and outdoor adventure activities. There are climbing parks, Olympic centers, and art galleries that the whole family can enjoy.

Is Saaremaa or Gjovik Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Gjovik 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.

Gjovik is a nice destination for couples. You'll find romantic hotels and many great museums or outdoor parks that couples will appreciate.

Is Saaremaa or Gjovik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Gjovik 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.

Gjovik is a good island to visit for backpackers. There's at least one hostel around town, and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Saaremaa or Gjovik Better for Students?

Gjovik is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Gjovik. The location offers access to much of what Norway has to offer, making it a nice place to base yourself while you're studying.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Gjovik 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 Gjovik offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel through town.

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 Gjovik a more walkable city?

Gjovik is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Gjovik is a somewhat walkable town. There are some pedestrian-friendly areas as well as walking paths just outside of town.

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 Gjovik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gjovik or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Gjovik?

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Gjovik?

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 town of Gjovik offers food and shopping. 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 Gjovik?

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.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Gjovik?

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.

Gjovik 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 Gjovik?

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.

Gjovik 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 town 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Norway, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Gjovik, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Gjovik much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gjovik would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gjovik 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa than you might in Gjovik.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Gjovik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Gjovik?

Gjovik has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Gjovik, 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 Gjovik?

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 Gjovik in the Summer?

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

Saaremaa is around the same temperature as Gjovik in the summer. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Gjovik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gjovik this time of the year. In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Gjovik during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Gjovik. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Gjovik in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Saaremaa is a little warmer than Gjovik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Gjovik averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Gjovik. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 86 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Gjovik. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Gjovik in the Winter?

Both Gjovik 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 Gjovik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Gjovik. It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. In January, Saaremaa is generally a little warmer than Gjovik. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Gjovik fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Gjovik during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Gjovik receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Gjovik. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Gjovik in the Spring?

Both Gjovik 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.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. Saaremaa is much colder than Gjovik in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Gjovik fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Gjovik. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gjovik receives 178 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Gjovik. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Gjovik and Saaremaa