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

Should you visit Sigulda or Savonlinna?

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 Savonlinna can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Savonlinna?

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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland.

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

Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Savonlinna?

Savonlinna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sigulda. When comparing the sizes of Sigulda and Savonlinna, 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 Savonlinna?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Sigulda or Savonlinna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Savonlinna.

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

In July, Sigulda usually receives more rain than Savonlinna. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sigulda or Savonlinna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Savonlinna.

It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the autumn. Sigulda is much warmer than Savonlinna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Savonlinna fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Sigulda usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Savonlinna. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Savonlinna in the Winter?

Both Savonlinna and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. It's quite cold in Sigulda in the winter. In the winter, Sigulda is much warmer than Savonlinna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sigulda in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Savonlinna averages at about -11°C (13°F).

In January, Sigulda usually receives less rain than Savonlinna. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sigulda or Savonlinna in the Spring?

Both Savonlinna and Sigulda during the spring are popular places to visit.

Savonlinna can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Sigulda is generally much warmer than Savonlinna. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 5°C (42°F), and Savonlinna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Sigulda usually gets more rain in April than Savonlinna. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Savonlinna and Sigulda