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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Lausanne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Lausanne, 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 calm, peaceful, and relaxed island. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Lausanne

Lausanne is a vibrant, cultural, and international city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Lausanne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Lausanne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lausanne. Although Saaremaa and Lausanne are popular destinations, Lausanne has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lausanne is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting. Lausanne is famous for being the home of the International Olympic Committee headquarters. It is also well known for The Olympic Museum.

How is Saaremaa different from Lausanne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lausanne is great for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Lausanne can be an interesting and educational experience. You'll find many great museums around town that cover a range of topics. The Olympic Museum is very interesting. You should also check out the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and the Hermitage Foundation.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Lausanne can be difficult as they are each superb 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, Lausanne makes for a great culinary experience. The city is filled with delicious chocolate, cheese, and wine. Fondue is a favorite, but you'll also find cured meats on most menus. While food can be expensive, it's also high quality and usually locally produced.

Is Saaremaa or Lausanne Better for Nightlife?

Lausanne 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 Lausanne has a few options to choose from. There are a surprising number of clubs around town and it's not hard to find somewhere to party. The large student population and the international vibe make this a fascinating place for nightlife.

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 Lausanne Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Lausanne is not a beach destination.

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.

Lausanne is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Lausanne Better for its Old Town?

Lausanne is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Lausanne has an old town worth visiting. There's a relatively large historic section that has a Gothic cathedral and many quaint shops.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Lausanne?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lausanne. You'll find luxury Swiss watch brands, jewelry, chocolate, and many other interesting things to buy. Prices can be high, but so is the quality. It's fun to look, even if you're not planning to purchase.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Lausanne Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Lausanne are both nice 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.

Lausanne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are kid-friendly museums, petting zoos, and other fun activities in town. You can also take a boat ride or let the kids run around one of the parks in town.

Is Saaremaa or Lausanne Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is well known for couples. Also, Lausanne is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Lausanne is a nice destination for couples. The medieval old city is fun to explore. The lakefront setting also offers fun activities like boating. There are also a number of museums in town to explore.

Is Saaremaa or Lausanne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saaremaa is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Lausanne is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Lausanne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular town for backpackers but there are some affordable hotels. It's also more reasonably priced than many Swiss cities.

Is Saaremaa or Lausanne Better for Students?

Lausanne is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

Lausanne is a great city to visit as a student. There are 11 institutes for higher learning in town, so students make up a significant percentage of the population. The city is also full of culture, making it a very livable city.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Lausanne is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Lausanne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive network of transportation options available in town including buses and boats.

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 Lausanne a more walkable city?

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

Lausanne is a somewhat walkable city. Many parts of the city, including the historic sections, and relatively easy to explore 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 Lausanne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lausanne or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Lausanne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saaremaa or Lausanne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saaremaa than Lausanne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lausanne.

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

Couples should spend more time in Lausanne than Saaremaa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lausanne that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Saaremaa or Lausanne?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. 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.

The city of Lausanne 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 Lausanne?

Saaremaa 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saaremaa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Lausanne?

Saaremaa 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.

Lausanne 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 Lausanne?

Saaremaa 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 island offers something for everyone.

Lausanne 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 Luxury Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Lausanne?

Lausanne has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Lausanne, 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.