A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sigulda vs. Saaremaa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sigulda or Saaremaa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sigulda and Saaremaa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Saaremaa?

Sigulda

Only 50 kilometers from Riga, Sigulda can be reached by either train or bus. The town is pleasantly situated in the Vidzeme Region of Latvia in the beautiful Gauja Valley. The area is quite scenic with steep banks and cliffs, and has earned itself the title as the "Switzerland of Latvia." Don't put too much emphasis on this name, but it is a pleasant area to explore, particularly if you're looking to get outside of the city and immerse yourself in some pristine wilderness.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Saaremaa?

Saaremaa has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Sigulda. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Saaremaa, 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 Sigulda or Saaremaa?

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 Sigulda or Saaremaa in the Summer?

Both Saaremaa and Sigulda during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sigulda is generally around the same temperature as Saaremaa. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 17°C (63°F), and Saaremaa fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Sigulda usually gets more rain in July than Saaremaa. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Saaremaa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Saaremaa. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saaremaa in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Sigulda is cooler than Saaremaa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Saaremaa fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In October, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Saaremaa. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sigulda or Saaremaa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Saaremaa. Additionally, most visitors come to Saaremaa for the cuisine during these months.

Saaremaa can be very cold during winter. Sigulda can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Sigulda is much colder than Saaremaa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sigulda in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Saaremaa averages at about -3°C (27°F).

Sigulda usually gets less rain in January than Saaremaa. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Saaremaa in the Spring?

Both Saaremaa and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In April, Sigulda is generally much warmer than Saaremaa. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 5°C (42°F), and Saaremaa fluctuates around 4°C (38°F).

In April, Sigulda usually receives more rain than Saaremaa. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saaremaa and Sigulda