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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Kiel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Kiel, 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. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Kiel

Kiel is a off-the-beaten-path, waterfront, and maritime city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Kiel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kiel. Although Saaremaa and Kiel are both popular with visitors, Kiel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kiel is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa is known for its food, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Kiel is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. It is also home to The Kiel Castle. Saaremaa is popular for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saaremaa is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Saaremaa or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Kiel 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 Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

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 Kiel Better for Beaches?

Both Saaremaa and Kiel have good beaches worth visiting.

Saaremaa has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Kiel. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Kiel?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Kiel Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Kiel are both good 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.

Kiel is a family-friendly place to visit. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Saaremaa or Kiel Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Saaremaa frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Kiel is a good island for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Saaremaa or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saaremaa is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Saaremaa or Kiel Better for Students?

Kiel is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Kiel 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 Kiel. There is a bus system 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 Kiel a more walkable city?

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

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

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 Kiel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Kiel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saaremaa and Kiel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saaremaa than in Kiel. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 1-3 days is enough time in Kiel.

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Kiel?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The city of Kiel offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Kiel?

Saaremaa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Kiel?

Saaremaa is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This island offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kiel 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 Kiel?

Because Saaremaa is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Kiel 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Kiel. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saaremaa is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saaremaa this time of the year. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Saaremaa is cooler than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Saaremaa during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Kiel. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Kiel. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Saaremaa