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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Vilnius?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Vilnius, 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 relaxed, traditional, and quiet island. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Vilnius

Vilnius is a surprising, undiscovered, and authentic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saaremaa and Vilnius: Pros and Cons

How is Saaremaa different from Vilnius?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Vilnius and Saaremaa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Saaremaa or Vilnius Better for Food?

Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Saaremaa a bit more than Vilnius.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Saaremaa is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Vilnius offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food is hearty with plenty of meat and potatoes. There are also soups and herring dishes as well as great desserts. Popular dishes in the area include cepelinai (meat filled potato dumplings), kibinai (a pastry), and potato pancakes.

Is Saaremaa or Vilnius Better for Nightlife?

Most visitors prefer the nightlife in Vilnius.

Many people head to Vilnius for the nightlife scene. The large student population is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene. You'll find most of the activity centered around three streets - Vilniaus, Islandijos and Vokiečių. These areas have a number of bars and clubs, and they draw the biggest crowds.

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 Vilnius Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Vilnius are both fun 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.

Vilnius is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of historic sights, but once your kids have had their fill, you can head to one of the outdoor or indoor play areas in the city center. There's also a toy museum and an Energy and Technology Museum that kids will enjoy. After a busy day, make sure you grab some ice cream to lift everyone's spirits.

Is Saaremaa or Vilnius Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Vilnius are both fun 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.

Vilnius is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with viewpoints, from hill tops to towers, where you can enjoy romantic views over the landscape. You can also dine in a local restaurant or enjoy a picnic in one of the outdoor settings.

Is Saaremaa or Vilnius Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Vilnius are fairly comparable 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Vilnius. For backpackers who want to escape the crowds, this off-the-beaten path European capital is a great option. It has history, charm, and an authenticity that is hard to find in a more touristy area. It's also an affordable city, with hostels and plenty of cheap places to eat.

Is Saaremaa or Vilnius Better for Public Transit?

Vilnius has better public transit to get you around.

While Vilnius offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Bus and trolleybuses are available.

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 Vilnius a more walkable city?

Vilnius is more walkable than Saaremaa.

Vilnius is a somewhat walkable city. The old town is the most walkable part of the city.

Saaremaa is not a walkable island. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

Should I spend more time in Vilnius or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Vilnius?

It's fun to spend time in either Saaremaa or Vilnius. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Saaremaa is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Vilnius is 1-4 days.

One day in Saaremaa or Vilnius?

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

The beautiful city of Vilnius offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Vilnius?

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. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saaremaa has to offer.

Vilnius 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 Vilnius, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Vilnius?

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.

Vilnius 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.

A week in Saaremaa or Vilnius?

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 reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Vilnius 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.

When is the best time to visit Saaremaa or Vilnius?

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 Vilnius in the Summer?

Both Vilnius and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Vilnius in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saaremaa is generally cooler than Vilnius. Temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Vilnius stays around 18°C (65°F).

In Vilnius, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Vilnius. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vilnius receives 219 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Vilnius. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Vilnius in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Vilnius. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Vilnius for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saaremaa is around the same temperature as Vilnius in the autumn. The temperature in Saaremaa is usually 8°C (47°F) in October, and Vilnius stays around 8°C (46°F).

Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vilnius during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Vilnius receives 94 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Vilnius. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Vilnius in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Vilnius. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Vilnius can be very cold. Saaremaa can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saaremaa is much warmer than Vilnius. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January are around -3°C (27°F), and Vilnius is about -5°C (23°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Vilnius. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vilnius receives 36 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Vilnius. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Vilnius in the Spring?

Both Vilnius and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year.

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Vilnius. Temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Vilnius stays around 7°C (45°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Vilnius during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Vilnius receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Vilnius. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vilnius and Saaremaa