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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Yogyakarta?

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

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

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a youthful, cultural, and historical city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Yogyakarta travel costs.

Saaremaa and Yogyakarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Yogyakarta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Yogyakarta. Although Saaremaa and Yogyakarta are both popular with visitors, Yogyakarta has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Yogyakarta is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Saaremaa is known for its beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Yogyakarta is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its beautiful temples, divine food, and lively dance shows. It is also home to Borobudur Temple. Saaremaa is popular for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Yogyakarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Yogyakarta 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, Yogyakarta has many famous sights for visitors. The city is known for it's cultural sights and temples. Kraton Yogyakarta is the palace where the Sultan lives. You should also visit Taman Sari Water Castle and Prambanan Temple. But for many visitors, Yogyakarta is seen as the gateway to the famed Borobudur Temple. This is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It offers spectacular views and is best visited at sunrise.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Yogyakarta can be difficult as they are each very good 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, Yogyakarta makes for a great culinary experience. It's filled with street food stalls and cheap eateries where you can fill up on local Indonesian classics for a cheap price. Gudeg (stewed jackfruit), Satay, and Bakmi Jawa (Javanese noodles) are just some of the dishes that you must try.

Is Saaremaa or Yogyakarta Better for Nightlife?

Yogyakarta is great for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Yogyakarta for the nightlife scene. With a large student population, you'll find many bars and live music venues around town. You'll also find night markets and plenty of theaters and live shows that you can enjoy.

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 Yogyakarta Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a popular place for the beach. However, Yogyakarta is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Yogyakarta is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Yogyakarta Better for its Old Town?

Yogyakarta is great for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Yogyakarta to see the historical old town. Kota Gede is the city's old town. It's filled with silver shops, religious sites, and traditional architecture. You'll also find a traditional market in the heart of the old town where you can buy coconut, dry fish, and tofu, or simply browse the unique items.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Yogyakarta?

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

Many people travel to Yogyakarta specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with craftsmen and a local art scene that makes it a wonderful shopping destination. There are countless markets and shops where you can pick up local handicrafts that highlight the city's culture.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Yogyakarta More Beautiful?

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

The beauty of Saaremaa is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

Yogyakarta is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saaremaa or Yogyakarta Better for Families?

Saaremaa and Yogyakarta 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.

Yogyakarta is a family-friendly place to visit. It's often overlooked by families, but the temples, culture, art scene, and friendly people all make this a surprisingly fun destination for those traveling with kids. You'll also find a number of adventure activities in the area as well.

Is Saaremaa or Yogyakarta Better for Couples?

Saaremaa is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Yogyakarta is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Saaremaa makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Yogyakarta is a good island for couples to visit. The city is filled with fun activities for couples such as a visit to Taman Pelangi at night, taking a walk along Jalan Malioboro, and taking in a traditional dance performance.

Is Saaremaa or Yogyakarta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta. Backpackers who want to experience Indonesia's culture and friendly population will love a visit to this lively city. There are plenty of hostels and other travelers to meet, but there's also a uniquely Indonesian vibe to the city.

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 Yogyakarta Better for Students?

Yogyakarta is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Yogyakarta. There's a large number of students in the city, which makes this a fun place to study abroad.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Yogyakarta is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Yogyakarta. There's a public bus system known as Trans Jogja, which is used by both tourists and locals. You can also hire motorbikes, becak, or Ojek.

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 Yogyakarta a more walkable city?

Yogyakarta is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Yogyakarta is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the main sights are accessible on foot.

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 Yogyakarta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Yogyakarta or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Yogyakarta?

It's fun to spend time in either Saaremaa or Yogyakarta. In our opinion, Yogyakarta has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Yogyakarta than Saaremaa. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Yogyakarta?

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

The city of Yogyakarta offers food and shopping. 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 Yogyakarta?

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Yogyakarta?

Saaremaa, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta?

Saaremaa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Yogyakarta 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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Yogyakarta, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Yogyakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa is in Europe and Yogyakarta is in Asia, 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 Yogyakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Yogyakarta?

Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Yogyakarta, 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.