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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Malmo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Malmo, 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 Malmo?

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.

Malmo

Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best 2-Week Tours from Stockholm, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Malmo or Saaremaa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saaremaa is €128, while the average daily cost in Malmo is €98. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saaremaa and Malmo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saaremaa 36
    Malmo 47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saaremaa 72
    Malmo 94
Compare Hotels in Saaremaa and Malmo

Looking for a hotel in Saaremaa or Malmo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Saaremaa


Hotels in Malmo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Malmo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saaremaa 47
    Malmo 7.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Saaremaa:


  • Rental Car and Gas for a Day
    34

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:


  • Malmö Bus Card
    18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo

Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $168
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $106
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
  • Malmo City to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $58

Is it cheaper to fly into Saaremaa or Malmo?

Prices for flights to both Malmo and Saaremaa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saaremaa 63
    Malmo 43
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:


  • Salmon
    1.28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo

For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $72

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saaremaa 21
    Malmo 15

Tours and Activities in Malmo

For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $25
  • Copenhagen and Hamlet Tour: $144
  • Guided Walking Tour in Malmö: $39
  • Half Day Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Cosmopolitan Malmö: $16
  • Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $38
  • Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Malmö Photography Tour: $67
  • Malmö Private Walking Tour with a Local: $56
  • Malmo Syndicate City Escape Game Self Guided Experience: $31
  • Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $73
  • Old Town Helsingborg: Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
  • Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $8.63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saaremaa 11
    Malmo 35


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

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


Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Malmo?

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

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 Malmo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Malmo. The summer months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malmo this time of the year. In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Malmo. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saaremaa 17°C (62°F) 
    Malmo 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Malmo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Malmo. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

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

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Malmo. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Malmo. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saaremaa 8°C (47°F) 
    Malmo 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Malmo in the Winter?

Both Malmo and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the cuisine.

Malmo can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Malmo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Malmo averages at about 0°C (32°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Malmo during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Malmo. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saaremaa -3°C (27°F) 
    Malmo 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Malmo in the Spring?

Both Malmo and Saaremaa during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Malmo. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saaremaa 4°C (38°F) 
    Malmo 5°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Malmo and Saaremaa

Saaremaa Malmo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 0°C (32°F) 37 mm (1.4 in)
Feb -3°C (26°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) -0°C (32°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar -1°C (30°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 2°C (35°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 4°C (38°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 5°C (42°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 4°C (39°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)