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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Graz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Graz, 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 traditional, quiet, and calm island. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food and beaches.

Graz

Graz is a medieval, cultural, and historical city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Graz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Graz. Although Saaremaa and Graz are both popular with visitors, Graz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Graz is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Saaremaa is known for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Graz is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. It is also home to The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Saaremaa is popular for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Graz 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 Graz can be an interesting and educational experience. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Graz can be difficult as they are each very good 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, Graz makes for a great culinary experience. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

Is Saaremaa or Graz Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Graz for the nightlife scene. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

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 Graz Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a popular place for the beache. However, Graz is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Graz is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Graz Better for its Old Town?

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

Graz offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Graz?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Graz. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Graz Better for Families?

Graz 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 Graz. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

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 Graz Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Graz are both very good 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.

Graz is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

Is Saaremaa or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Graz are good 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.

Graz is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Saaremaa or Graz Better for Students?

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

Graz is a great city to visit as a student. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Graz 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 Graz can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams that travel around the 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 Graz a more walkable city?

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

Graz is a very easy city to get around on foot. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore 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 Graz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Graz or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Graz?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Graz?

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 city of Graz 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 Graz?

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.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Graz?

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.

Graz 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 Graz?

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.

Graz 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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Graz?

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

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 Graz in the Summer?

Both Graz and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saaremaa is generally cooler than Graz. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Graz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Graz. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Graz during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Graz. In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Graz. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Graz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Saaremaa is much colder than Graz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Graz. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Graz. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Graz in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Graz. The winter months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Graz this time of year.

It's quite cold in Graz in the winter. The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Graz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Graz averages at about 1°C (34°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Graz during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Graz. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Graz in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Graz. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Graz for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Graz. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Graz. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Graz and Saaremaa