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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Salzburg?

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

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

Salzburg

Salzburg is a recognizable, historic, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Saaremaa and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Salzburg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Salzburg. Although Saaremaa and Salzburg are popular destinations, Salzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saaremaa attracts visitors for its beaches and small town charm. Salzburg is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Saaremaa is famous for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Saaremaa different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Salzburg 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, Salzburg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Saaremaa or Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

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 Salzburg Better for Music?

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

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Saaremaa is not a live music destination.

Is Saaremaa or Salzburg Better for Beaches?

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

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Salzburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Salzburg?

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

Many people travel to Salzburg specifically to go shopping. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Salzburg Better for Families?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for romance.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Saaremaa is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Saaremaa or Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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 Salzburg Better for Students?

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

Salzburg is a great destination for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get 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 Salzburg a more walkable city?

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

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Salzburg?

In either Saaremaa or Salzburg, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than Saaremaa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 3-5 days is enough time in Salzburg.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Salzburg?

Saaremaa is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. 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.

The beautiful city of Salzburg offers museums and nightlife. 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 Salzburg?

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

Salzburg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Salzburg?

Saaremaa 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.

Salzburg is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

Saaremaa 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 island offers something for everyone.

Salzburg 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 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Salzburg?

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

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 Salzburg in the Summer?

Both Salzburg and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

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

In Salzburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Salzburg. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Salzburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Salzburg. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Salzburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Salzburg. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Salzburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Salzburg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In January, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Salzburg. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Salzburg in the Spring?

Both Salzburg and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Salzburg for the natural beauty during these months.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. Saaremaa is much colder than Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Saaremaa