A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Savonlinna vs. Heidelberg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Savonlinna or Heidelberg?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Heidelberg? 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: Savonlinna or Heidelberg?

Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of 35,504 inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle". The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle. Savonlinna is a historical borderland where the cultures and traditions of East and West meet. As the oldest town in Eastern Finland, Savonlinna is famous for its world class opera festival in the medieval castle surrounded by blue waters of Lake Saimaa. With its 100 year old steamships and unparalleled selection of experiences and activities, Savonlinna is a the real gem of Lakeland Finland.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Heidelberg, 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 Savonlinna or Heidelberg?

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 Savonlinna or Heidelberg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Heidelberg. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the family-friendly experiences.

Savonlinna is cooler than Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heidelberg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savonlinna this time of the year. In the summer, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in July than Heidelberg. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

Both Heidelberg and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. In the autumn, Savonlinna is much colder than Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Savonlinna in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during autumn. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Savonlinna usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg and Savonlinna during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the winter. In January, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around -11°C (13°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in January than Heidelberg. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Heidelberg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Heidelberg. Furthermore, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. Savonlinna is much colder than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during spring. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Savonlinna