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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Vienna?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Vienna, 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. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food and beaches.

Vienna

Vienna is a musical, ritzy, and classical city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Saaremaa and Vienna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Vienna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Vienna. Although Saaremaa and Vienna are both popular with visitors, Vienna has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Vienna is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saaremaa is known for its beaches and small town charm. Vienna is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. It is also home to The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Saaremaa is popular for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Saaremaa different from Vienna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vienna 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 Vienna can be an interesting and educational experience. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Vienna 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, Vienna makes for a great culinary experience. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

Is Saaremaa or Vienna Better for Nightlife?

Vienna 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 Vienna has a few options to choose from. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

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 Vienna Better for Music?

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

Vienna has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Saaremaa is not a live music destination.

Is Saaremaa or Vienna Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Vienna 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.

Vienna is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Vienna Better for its Old Town?

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

Vienna offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Vienna?

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

Many people travel to Vienna specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Vienna Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Vienna are both good destinations for the whole family.

Saaremaa offers lots of family activities. 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.

Vienna is a family-friendly place to visit. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

Is Saaremaa or Vienna Better for Couples?

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

Vienna has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

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 Vienna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Vienna are good 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.

Vienna is a good island to visit for backpackers. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

Is Saaremaa or Vienna Better for Students?

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

Vienna is a great destination for students. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Vienna 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 Vienna is top-notch. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

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 Vienna a more walkable city?

Vienna is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Vienna is a very easy city to get around on foot. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

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 Vienna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Vienna or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Vienna?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Vienna?

Saaremaa might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Vienna 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 Vienna?

Saaremaa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Vienna 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 visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Vienna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Vienna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Vienna 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Vienna, 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 Vienna?

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 Vienna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Vienna. 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 Vienna this time of year.

In July, Saaremaa is generally cooler than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In Saaremaa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Vienna. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Vienna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Vienna. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Vienna for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saaremaa is cooler than Vienna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Vienna fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 140 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets more rain in October than Vienna. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Vienna in the Winter?

Both Vienna 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 Vienna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vienna can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Vienna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Vienna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Vienna during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Vienna. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Vienna in the Spring?

Both Vienna 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. Also, most visitors come to Vienna for the natural beauty during these months.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Vienna, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Vienna. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Vienna. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vienna and Saaremaa