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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Munich?

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

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

Munich

Munich is a high energy, multicultural, and economically thriving city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Saaremaa and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Munich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Munich. Although Saaremaa and Munich are popular destinations, Munich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Munich is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Munich is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also well known for The Nymphenburg Palace. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Munich 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 Munich can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Munich 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, Munich makes for a great culinary experience. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Saaremaa or Munich Better for Nightlife?

Munich is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

Munich has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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 Munich Better for Music?

Munich is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Saaremaa is not a live music destination.

Munich has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Saaremaa is not a live music destination.

Is Saaremaa or Munich Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Munich 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.

Munich is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Munich?

Munich is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Munich specifically to go shopping. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Munich Better for Families?

Munich is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Munich. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

Saaremaa is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Saaremaa or Munich Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Munich are both superb 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.

Munich is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

Is Saaremaa or Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Munich, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Saaremaa is a good island to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Saaremaa or Munich Better for Students?

Munich is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

Munich is a great destination for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Munich is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Munich is top-notch. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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 Munich a more walkable city?

Munich is great for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Munich is a very walkable destination. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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 Munich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Munich or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Munich?

In either Saaremaa or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than Saaremaa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Munich?

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Munich is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Munich?

Saaremaa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Munich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Munich is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Munich, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Saaremaa or Munich?

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Munich 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Munich, 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 Munich?

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 Munich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Munich. The summer months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

Saaremaa is cooler than Munich in the summer. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Munich. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saaremaa this time of the year. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Munich. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Munich. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Munich in the Autumn?

Both Munich and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Saaremaa is cooler than Munich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Munich during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Munich. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich and Saaremaa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Munich can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In January, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Munich. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Munich. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Munich. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Munich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Munich. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the activities around the city during these months.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. Saaremaa is much colder than Munich in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Munich during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Munich. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Munich and Saaremaa