A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Maribor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Maribor?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Maribor? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Maribor?

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.

Maribor

Located near the Austrian border is Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Maribor is surrounded by hills that are filled with wine vineyards, as well as the Mariborsko Pohorje mountain. The city is split in half by the Drava River. On the left bank of the river you'll find the city's old town.

The city draws tourists from all over the world who come to enjoy the world renowned wine, old town culture, and outdoor activities which include hiking and skiing. The city is a great jumping off point for many outdoor activities and for those hoping to see the countryside. If you're more the city type, Maribor also has plenty to offer. Head to the theater for a show, sip some wine in a town square, or soak in the beauty of a cathedral while you're in the area.

Maribor's climate is humid continental with warm summers and cold winters. During the winter months the average temperature hovers around freezing. The warmest month is July, when average temperatures often exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Maribor is also one of the sunniest cities in Slovenia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovenia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Slovenia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Maribor, we can see that Maribor is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg 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 Maribor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maribor than you might in Saint Petersburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Maribor?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Maribor. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Maribor, 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 Saint Petersburg or Maribor?

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 Saint Petersburg or Maribor in the Summer?

Both Maribor and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Maribor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Maribor averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In Maribor, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maribor. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 266 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Maribor. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Maribor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Maribor.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Maribor. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Maribor fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Maribor during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Maribor receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Maribor. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Maribor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Maribor.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Maribor. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Maribor in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Maribor fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Maribor. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maribor receives 54 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Maribor. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Maribor in the Spring?

Both Maribor and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Maribor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Maribor averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Maribor during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Maribor receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Maribor. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Maribor receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Maribor and Saint Petersburg