A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saaremaa vs. Isle of Skye for Food, Beaches, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Saaremaa or Isle of Skye?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Isle of Skye, 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. 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.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a picturesque, stunning, and diverse island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches.

Saaremaa and Isle of Skye: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Isle of Skye?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Isle of Skye than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Isle of Skye is better known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Saaremaa is more popular for its nightlife and small town charm. Isle of Skye is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles. Also, Isle of Skye is famous for The Old Man of Storr. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Isle of Skye?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Saaremaa or Isle of Skye? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Isle of Skye 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, Isle of Skye makes for a great culinary experience. Foodies will appreciate the seasonal local ingredients that many restaurants use. Both the land and sea offer ingredients that inspire delicious dishes. You can choose from Michelin star restaurants, local cafes, and cozy inns. The food is fresh and well made.

Is Saaremaa or Isle of Skye Better for Nightlife?

Saaremaa is not a good area for nightlife. However, Isle of Skye 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.

Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Saaremaa or Isle of Skye Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye. Some of the best beaches in Scotland are found on the Isle of Skye. The rugged coastline feels pristine and undiscovered. Some of the best beaches include Coral Beach, Talisker Bay Beach, Rubha Shlèite Beach, and Camasunary Bay.

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 Isle of Skye Better for Hiking?

Isle of Skye is an amazing island to visit for hiking. However, Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Isle of Skye draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hikes on the island range from family-friendly to some of the most challenging in Scotland. The setting is dramatic and beautiful and the hikes are a varied as the landscape. Some of the most popular hikes include the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point Lighthouse, and the Quiraing.

Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Is Saaremaa or Isle of Skye Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Isle of Skye 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.

Isle of Skye is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who love the outdoors will enjoy many of the kid-friendly hikes in the area. Favorites include the Old Man of Storr Hike and the Brother’s Point Hike. Other fun family-friendly places to visit include the Isle of Skye Fairy Glen, the Fairy Pools, and Slipway Beach.

Is Saaremaa or Isle of Skye Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Isle of Skye 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.

Isle of Skye is a very popular place to visit for couples. With beautiful hikes and impressive castles, this island makes a stunning romantic getaway. There are beautiful viewpoints and coastal backdrops that make for a perfect couples getaway.

Is Saaremaa or Isle of Skye Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

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 Isle of Skye Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Saaremaa or Isle of Skye offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Isle of Skye. There are local bus routes on the island that are operated by Stagecoach.

Is Saaremaa or Isle of Skye a more walkable city?

Saaremaa is not a good area for its walkability. However, Isle of Skye 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.

Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Saaremaa Worth Visiting? and Is Isle of Skye Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Isle of Skye or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Isle of Skye?

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye.

One day in Saaremaa or Isle of Skye?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful island of Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye?

Saaremaa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Isle of Skye 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Isle of Skye, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Isle of Skye?

Saaremaa is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Isle of Skye is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Isle of Skye, 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 Isle of Skye?

Saaremaa is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Isle of Skye is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 island 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 Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Isle of Skye?

Saaremaa has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Isle of Skye. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Isle of Skye, 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 Isle of Skye?

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 Isle of Skye in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Isle of Skye. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saaremaa is a little warmer than Isle of Skye. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Isle of Skye averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Isle of Skye during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Isle of Skye receives 150 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Saaremaa or Isle of Skye in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Isle of Skye. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Isle of Skye for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Saaremaa is generally around the same temperature as Isle of Skye. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Isle of Skye. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isle of Skye receives 82 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Isle of Skye. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Isle of Skye. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Isle of Skye in the Winter?

Both Isle of Skye and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the cuisine.

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

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Isle of Skye during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Isle of Skye receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Isle of Skye. In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Isle of Skye. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Isle of Skye in the Spring?

Both Isle of Skye and Saaremaa during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Isle of Skye this time of year.

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Isle of Skye. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Isle of Skye averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Isle of Skye. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isle of Skye receives 168 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Isle of Skye. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Isle of Skye and Saaremaa