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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Hiroshima?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Hiroshima, 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. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Saaremaa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches. See Saaremaa travel costs.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a meaningful, park-filled, and memorable city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Hiroshima travel costs.

Saaremaa and Hiroshima: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Hiroshima?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hiroshima than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hiroshima is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and shopping, while Saaremaa is more popular for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Hiroshima is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation. Also, Hiroshima is famous for Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Hiroshima?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Hiroshima is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Hiroshima has many famous sights for visitors. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Hiroshima can be difficult as they are each high quality 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, Hiroshima makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Is Saaremaa or Hiroshima Better for Nightlife?

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima has a few options to choose from. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

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 Hiroshima Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a island with good options for its beaches. However, Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Hiroshima?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Hiroshima. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Hiroshima More Beautiful?

Saaremaa is a great island for its scenery and beauty. However, Hiroshima is not a destination known for its beauty.

Saaremaa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

Hiroshima is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saaremaa or Hiroshima Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Hiroshima 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.

Hiroshima is a family-friendly place to visit. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Saaremaa or Hiroshima Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is a great island for romance. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Hiroshima makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Saaremaa or Hiroshima Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Hiroshima are notable 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.

Hiroshima is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

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

Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima can get you to most places easily. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around 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 Hiroshima a more walkable city?

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

Hiroshima is a very walkable destination. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas 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 Hiroshima Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hiroshima or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Hiroshima?

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Hiroshima?

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The city of Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Hiroshima?

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hiroshima is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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 Hiroshima?

Saaremaa is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Hiroshima is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums 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, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Hiroshima, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Hiroshima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa is in Europe and Hiroshima is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Hiroshima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Hiroshima, 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 Hiroshima?

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 Hiroshima in the Summer?

Both Hiroshima and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hiroshima for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saaremaa is much colder than Hiroshima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Hiroshima averages at about 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Hiroshima during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 194 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hiroshima. In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Hiroshima. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Hiroshima in the Autumn?

Both Hiroshima and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hiroshima in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Hiroshima. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Hiroshima fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Hiroshima. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun.

Hiroshima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Hiroshima. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Hiroshima in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Hiroshima. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the winter for the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hiroshima for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hiroshima can be very cold during winter. Saaremaa can get quite cold in the winter. Saaremaa is much colder than Hiroshima in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Hiroshima fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Hiroshima during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Saaremaa or Hiroshima in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Hiroshima. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Saaremaa can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Hiroshima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Hiroshima averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hiroshima. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hiroshima. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Hiroshima. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hiroshima and Saaremaa