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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Helsinki?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Helsinki, 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 peaceful, relaxed, and traditional 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a active, nature-focused, and coastal city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Helsinki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Helsinki?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Helsinki. Although Saaremaa and Helsinki are both popular with visitors, Helsinki has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Helsinki is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saaremaa is known for its food, beaches, and small town charm. Helsinki is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. It is also home to The Helsinki Cathedral. Saaremaa is popular for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Helsinki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saaremaa is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Saaremaa has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Saaremaa or Helsinki Better for Nightlife?

Helsinki 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 Helsinki has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

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 Helsinki Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a island with good options for the beache. However, Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Saaremaa. 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.

Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Helsinki?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Helsinki. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Helsinki Better for Families?

Helsinki 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 Helsinki. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Helsinki are both high quality 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.

Helsinki is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Is Saaremaa or Helsinki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Helsinki 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.

Helsinki is a good island to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Is Saaremaa or Helsinki Better for Students?

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

Helsinki is a great city to visit as a student. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki can get you to most places easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

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 Helsinki a more walkable city?

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

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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 Helsinki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Helsinki or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Helsinki?

It's fun to spend time in either Saaremaa or Helsinki. In our opinion, Helsinki has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Helsinki than Saaremaa. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Helsinki?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. 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.

The beautiful city of Helsinki offers food and shopping. 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 Helsinki?

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

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Helsinki?

Saaremaa 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.

Helsinki 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 Helsinki?

Saaremaa 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 island offers something for everyone.

Helsinki 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 Budget Tours to Finland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Helsinki?

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

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 Helsinki in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Helsinki. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saaremaa is generally around the same temperature as Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Helsinki this time of the year. In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Helsinki during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Helsinki. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Helsinki in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Helsinki. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Saaremaa is a little warmer than Helsinki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Helsinki fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Helsinki. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 90 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Helsinki. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Helsinki in the Winter?

Both Helsinki and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Helsinki can be very cold during winter. Saaremaa can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saaremaa is much warmer than Helsinki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Helsinki averages at about -6°C (21°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Helsinki during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Helsinki. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Helsinki in the Spring?

Both Helsinki and Saaremaa during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Saaremaa can be very cold during spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally a little warmer than Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 183 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Helsinki. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Helsinki and Saaremaa