A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saaremaa vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park, 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 quiet, calm, and peaceful 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a world-famous, spectacular, and scenic national park. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Saaremaa and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Plitvice Lakes National Park than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Plitvice Lakes National Park is better known for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Saaremaa is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and small town charm. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. Also, Plitvice Lakes National Park is famous for the terraced chain of lakes. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Plitvice Lakes National Park and Saaremaa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saaremaa is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

Saaremaa is mediocre for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is very good for its beaches. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Saaremaa to enjoy the beach. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is great for hiking. However, Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Is Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Plitvice Lakes National Park are both excellent 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

Is Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is an amazing national park to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very easy national park to get around on foot. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saaremaa than Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park.

One day in Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park offers . Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Saaremaa is a fun place to experience. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Saaremaa is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Because Saaremaa is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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 a variety of activities to choose from.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This national park 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 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.

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

When is the best time to visit Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saaremaa is cooler than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.

In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Plitvice Lakes National Park. The cuisine are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Plitvice Lakes National Park. It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. Saaremaa is much colder than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 13°C (55°F).

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

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Saaremaa