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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Toronto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Toronto, 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 peaceful, relaxed, and traditional 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.

Toronto

Toronto is a vibrant, cultural, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Toronto travel costs.

Saaremaa and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Toronto?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Toronto than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Toronto is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa is more popular for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Toronto is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. Also, Toronto is famous for the CN Tower. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Toronto has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Toronto can be difficult as they are each high quality 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, Toronto makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Is Saaremaa or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

Toronto has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

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 Toronto Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a island with good options for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Saaremaa. 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.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Toronto?

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

Many people travel to Toronto specifically to go shopping. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Toronto More Beautiful?

Saaremaa is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saaremaa or Toronto Better for Families?

Toronto 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 Toronto. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

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 Toronto Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Toronto are both high quality 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.

Toronto is a very popular place to visit for couples. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Is Saaremaa or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto 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 Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

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 Toronto Better for Students?

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

Toronto is a great destination for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Toronto is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit in Toronto is top-notch. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

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 Toronto a more walkable city?

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

Toronto is a very walkable destination. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

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 Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Toronto?

Both Saaremaa and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Saaremaa. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Toronto?

Saaremaa is a small town with plenty to do. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Toronto is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Toronto?

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saaremaa has to offer.

Toronto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Toronto?

Saaremaa is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. Since Saaremaa is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Toronto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toronto has to offer. 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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Saaremaa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa is in Europe and Toronto is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Toronto, 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Toronto. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saaremaa is cooler than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toronto this time of the year. In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toronto during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Toronto. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Toronto in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Toronto. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Toronto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Saaremaa is generally cooler than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Toronto. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Toronto can be very cold during winter. Saaremaa can get quite cold in the winter. Saaremaa is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Toronto. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Toronto in the Spring?

Both Toronto and Saaremaa during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Toronto because of the activities around the city.

Saaremaa can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Toronto. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Saaremaa