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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Mainz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Mainz, 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 peaceful, relaxed, and traditional 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.

Mainz

Mainz is a beautiful, peaceful, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Saaremaa and Mainz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Mainz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Mainz than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Mainz is better known for its museums, historical sights, and shopping, while Saaremaa is more popular for its beaches and small town charm. Mainz is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Also, Mainz is famous for The Mainz Cathedral. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

The Mainz Cathedral

How is Saaremaa different from Mainz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Mainz 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 Mainz. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Mainz can be difficult as they are each high quality 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, Mainz makes for a great culinary experience. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Saaremaa or Mainz Better for Nightlife?

Neither Saaremaa or Mainz offer decent nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Saaremaa 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.

People don't go to Mainz for the nightlife. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Saaremaa or Mainz Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a island with good options for its beaches. However, Mainz is not a beach destination.

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.

Mainz is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Mainz Better for its Old Town?

Mainz is great for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Mainz to see the historical old town. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Mainz?

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

Mainz has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Mainz Better for Families?

Saaremaa is a island with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Saaremaa is a family-friendly island. 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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Saaremaa or Mainz Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Mainz are both high quality 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.

Mainz is a very popular place to visit for couples. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Is Saaremaa or Mainz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Mainz 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.

Mainz is a good island to visit for backpackers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Saaremaa or Mainz Better for Students?

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

Mainz is a great town to visit as a student. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

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

The public transit in Mainz can get you to most places easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby 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 Mainz a more walkable city?

Mainz is an amazing town to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Mainz is a very easy town to get around on foot. The town is easily explored 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 Mainz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mainz or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Mainz?

It's fun to spend time in either Saaremaa or Mainz. In our opinion, Mainz has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Mainz than Saaremaa. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Saaremaa than Mainz. 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.

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Mainz?

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful town of Mainz offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Mainz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Mainz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Mainz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Mainz?

Saaremaa is a fun place to experience. Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Mainz 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 Mainz?

Saaremaa is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Mainz is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Mainz?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Mainz, 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 Mainz?

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 Mainz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Mainz. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saaremaa is cooler than Mainz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Mainz averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Mainz during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Mainz receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Mainz. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Mainz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Mainz. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Mainz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mainz. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 103 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Mainz. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Mainz in the Winter?

Both Mainz and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Mainz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Mainz can be very cold during winter. Saaremaa can get quite cold in the winter. Saaremaa is much colder than Mainz in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Mainz fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

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

In January, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mainz. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Mainz in the Spring?

Both Mainz and Saaremaa during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mainz because of the natural beauty.

Saaremaa can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Mainz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Mainz averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Mainz. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mainz receives 163 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Mainz. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Mainz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mainz and Saaremaa