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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Tampere?

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

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

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.

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

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 from Helsinki, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Tampere?

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

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 Tampere in the Summer?

Both Tampere 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.

In July, Saaremaa is generally around the same temperature as Tampere. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Tampere fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Tampere. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Tampere during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Tampere. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Tampere in the Autumn?

Both Tampere 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.

Saaremaa is much warmer than Tampere in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Tampere fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Tampere. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 81 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Tampere. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Tampere in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Tampere. The cuisine are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. In the winter, Saaremaa is much warmer than Tampere. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Tampere averages at about -7°C (19°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Tampere during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 37 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Tampere. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Tampere in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Tampere. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Tampere can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In April, Saaremaa is generally a little warmer than Tampere. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Tampere fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Tampere. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 174 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Tampere. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tampere and Saaremaa