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

Should you visit Sigulda or Tampere?

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

Where Should I go: Sigulda or Tampere?

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.

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland.

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

Which is Bigger, Sigulda or Tampere?

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

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 Tampere in the Summer?

Both Tampere and Sigulda during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Sigulda is around the same temperature as Tampere. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sigulda in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Tampere averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Sigulda usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Tampere. Sigulda gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Tampere in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sigulda and Tampere.

In October, Sigulda is generally a little warmer than Tampere. Daily temperatures in Sigulda average around 7°C (45°F), and Tampere fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In October, Sigulda usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampere. Sigulda gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sigulda or Tampere in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sigulda as well as Tampere.

Tampere can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Sigulda. Sigulda is a little warmer than Tampere in the winter. The daily temperature in Sigulda averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Tampere fluctuates around -7°C (19°F).

Sigulda usually gets less rain in January than Tampere. Sigulda gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sigulda or Tampere in the Spring?

Both Tampere and Sigulda are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Tampere can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Sigulda is much warmer than Tampere. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sigulda in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Tampere averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In April, Sigulda usually receives more rain than Tampere. Sigulda gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tampere and Sigulda