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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Zurich?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Zurich, 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.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Saaremaa and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Zurich?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zurich. Although Saaremaa and Zurich are both popular with visitors, Zurich has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Zurich is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping, while Saaremaa is known for its beaches and small town charm. Zurich is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also home to The Grossmünster. Saaremaa is popular for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can be an interesting and educational experience. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Saaremaa and Zurich can be difficult as they are each great 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, Zurich makes for a great culinary experience. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Is Saaremaa or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Zurich for the nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

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 Zurich Better for Music?

Zurich is great for its music scene. However, Saaremaa is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich draws a good crowd. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Saaremaa is not a live music destination.

Is Saaremaa or Zurich Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a good destination for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

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

Zurich offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Zurich?

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

Many people travel to Zurich specifically to go shopping. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Zurich Better for Families?

Zurich 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 Zurich. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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 Zurich Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Zurich are both great 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.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Is Saaremaa or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Saaremaa and Zurich 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.

Zurich is a good island to visit for backpackers. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Saaremaa or Zurich Better for Students?

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

Zurich is a great destination for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

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

The public transit in Zurich can get you to most places easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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 Zurich a more walkable city?

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

Zurich is a very walkable destination. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts 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.

For even more information, also check out Is Saaremaa Worth Visiting? and Is Zurich Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Zurich?

In either Saaremaa or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich 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 Zurich.

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

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

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

One day in Saaremaa or Zurich?

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 Zurich 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 Zurich?

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.

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

Five days in Saaremaa or Zurich?

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.

Zurich is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zurich, 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 Zurich?

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.

Zurich is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Zurich?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Zurich, 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 Zurich?

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 Zurich in the Summer?

Both Zurich 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Zurich in the Autumn?

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

Saaremaa is much colder than Zurich in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zurich. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Zurich in the Winter?

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

The weather in Zurich can be very cold. Saaremaa can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Zurich. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Zurich averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Zurich. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Zurich in the Spring?

Both Zurich 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 Zurich this time of year.

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Zurich. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Saaremaa