A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saaremaa vs. Inner Hebrides for Food, Beaches, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides?

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

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

Inner Hebrides

Inner Hebrides is a tranquil, stunning, and natural islands. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches.

Saaremaa and Inner Hebrides: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Inner Hebrides than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Inner Hebrides is better known for its beaches and hiking, while Saaremaa is more popular for its food, nightlife, and small town charm. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting. Inner Hebrides is well known for its rugged landscape, beautiful coastline, and local whisky. Also, Inner Hebrides is famous for Armadale Castle.

How is Saaremaa different from Inner Hebrides?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Saaremaa. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Inner Hebrides. It wasn't long ago that there was a limited selection of restaurants on the islands, but these days you shouldn't have much trouble finding some Scottish classics. The area continues to grow its restaurant scene, which highlights regional ingredients and the local whisky distilleries.

Is Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides Better for Nightlife?

Saaremaa is not a good area for nightlife. However, Inner Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Saaremaa doesn't offer many options. 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.

Inner Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides Better for Beaches?

Inner Hebrides is great for the beach. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Inner Hebrides. The islands offer a truly unexpected sight, with white sand beaches and blue waters. Some of the best beaches to visit include Calgary Beach on the Isle of Mull, Machir Bay on the Isle of Islay, and Coral Beach on the Isle of Skye.

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.

Is Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides Better for Hiking?

Inner Hebrides is great for hiking. However, Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Inner Hebrides for the hiking trails. To fully experience the area's natural beauty, you really should go on a few hikes. The hikes are varied in landscape, length, and skill level. Some of the favorites include Beinn an Òir, Coire Dubh, and Ben More.

Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Is Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Inner Hebrides 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.

Inner Hebrides is a family-friendly place to visit. Beaches, wildlife spotting, and boat tours all make for a fun adventure for the whole family. These islands offer a unique and truly rewarding experience that is fun for everyone.

Is Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Inner Hebrides 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.

Inner Hebrides is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who want to move at a slower pace and soak up natural beauty will appreciate these islands. There are sandy beaches, welcoming communities, and spectacular views that offer both romance and a little adventure.

Is Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Inner Hebrides 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.

Inner Hebrides is a good island to visit for backpackers. The islands have some campsites that let you fully enjoy the area's stunning natural beauty.

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

Inner Hebrides is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inner Hebrides. Ferries and some local buses are available. It's also possible to find there-and-back day cruises to the islands.

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 Inner Hebrides a more walkable city?

Saaremaa is not a good area for its walkability. However, Inner Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

Saaremaa is not a very walkable island. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

Inner Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Saaremaa Worth Visiting? and Is Inner Hebrides Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Inner Hebrides or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides?

In either Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Inner Hebrides than Saaremaa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 3-5 days is enough time in Inner Hebrides.

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

One day in Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides?

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 beautiful islands of Inner Hebrides offers food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Inner Hebrides?

Saaremaa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Inner Hebrides is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Inner Hebrides is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Inner Hebrides, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Saaremaa or Inner Hebrides?

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Inner Hebrides is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This islands 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.

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