A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saaremaa vs. Karlovy Vary for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saaremaa or Karlovy Vary?

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

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

Where Should I go: Saaremaa or Karlovy Vary?

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.

Karlovy Vary

Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Karlovy Vary?

Karlovy Vary has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?

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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?

Both Karlovy Vary and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saaremaa is cooler than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Karlovy Vary. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

Both Karlovy Vary and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saaremaa is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Karlovy Vary. The cuisine are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Karlovy Vary. It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. Saaremaa is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Karlovy Vary. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Saaremaa