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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Tihany?

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

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

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.

Tihany

Located on the northern coast of Lake Balaton in Hungary, Tihany is a historic village with quaint streets and bustling squares - all centered on the twin-towered Tihany Benedictine Abbey which dates back to the 11th century.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Hungary, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Tihany, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Tihany much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tihany would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tihany 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 Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa than you might in Tihany.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Tihany Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Tihany?

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

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 Tihany in the Summer?

Both Tihany and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saaremaa is generally cooler than Tihany. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Tihany fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Tihany. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Tihany during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Tihany receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Saaremaa or Tihany in the Autumn?

Both Tihany and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saaremaa is cooler than Tihany in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Tihany fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Tihany. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tihany receives 152 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Tihany. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Tihany in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Tihany. The winter months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Tihany in the winter. The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Tihany. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Tihany averages at about -1°C (31°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Tihany during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Tihany receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Tihany. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Tihany in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Tihany. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Tihany. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Tihany fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Tihany. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tihany receives 178 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Tihany. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tihany and Saaremaa