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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Heidelberg?

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

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

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a lively, charming, and scenic town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Heidelberg. Although Saaremaa and Heidelberg are popular destinations, Heidelberg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Heidelberg is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its beaches and small town charm. Heidelberg is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. It is also well known for The Heidelberg Castle. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Heidelberg and Saaremaa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Heidelberg 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, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Is Saaremaa or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Heidelberg for the nightlife scene. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

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 Heidelberg Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a good destination for the beach. However, Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

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

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Heidelberg?

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

Heidelberg has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a family-friendly place to visit. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Saaremaa or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is a very popular place to visit for couples. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Is Saaremaa or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg can get you to most places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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 Heidelberg a more walkable city?

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

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Heidelberg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Heidelberg?

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful town of Heidelberg offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Heidelberg?

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

Heidelberg 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Heidelberg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Heidelberg?

Saaremaa, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg?

Saaremaa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Heidelberg 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 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Heidelberg?

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

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

Both Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Saaremaa is cooler than Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Saaremaa is cooler than Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Heidelberg. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Heidelberg in the Winter?

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

The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. Saaremaa can be very cold during winter. In January, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Heidelberg in the Spring?

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

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. Saaremaa is much colder than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Saaremaa