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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Reykjavik?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Reykjavik, 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. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Saaremaa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches. See Saaremaa travel costs.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come to Reykjavik because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking. See Reykjavik travel costs.

Saaremaa and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Reykjavik?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Reykjavik than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Reykjavik is better known for its nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saaremaa is more popular for its food, beaches, and small town charm. Reykjavik is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Also, Reykjavik is famous for The Thermal Pools. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Saaremaa is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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 Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Saaremaa or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik has a few options to choose from. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

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 Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Saaremaa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Reykjavik?

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

Reykjavik has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Reykjavik More Beautiful?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Reykjavik because of it's amazing beauty. The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.

Saaremaa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

Is Saaremaa or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Saaremaa or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Saaremaa or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around 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 Reykjavik a more walkable city?

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

Reykjavik is a very walkable destination. The city is small and compact, so it's 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 Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Reykjavik?

In either Saaremaa or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Saaremaa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Reykjavik?

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Reykjavik offers shopping and nightlife. 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 Reykjavik?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Reykjavik?

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

Saaremaa is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Reykjavik?

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

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Reykjavik. The summer months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

In the summer, Saaremaa is a little warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Saaremaa or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In October, Saaremaa is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. Saaremaa is much colder than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is around the same temperature as Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Saaremaa