A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tallinn vs. Bratislava for Old Town, Backpackers, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Tallinn or Bratislava?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Bratislava, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Tallinn

Tallinn is a historical, charming, and quaint city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bratislava

Bratislava is a genuine, cultural, and laid-back city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Tallinn and Bratislava: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Bratislava?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tallinn. Although Tallinn and Bratislava are popular destinations, Tallinn has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tallinn is more touristy than Bratislava and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Old Town. Bratislava is famous for its local beer, charming old town, and scenic mountain setting.

The Old Town

How is Tallinn different from Bratislava?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bratislava and Tallinn. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallinn or Bratislava?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Tallinn and Bratislava.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Tallinn can be an interesting and educational experience. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bratislava. Despite its small size, the city is packed with interesting sights and attractions. A highlight of a visit is exploring the Bratislava Castle. Other notable sights include Michael's Gate, the Slovak National Theatre, Grassalkovich Palace, and Primate's Palace & Hall of Mirrors.

Is the Food Better in Tallinn or Bratislava? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Tallinn and Bratislava offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

Tallinn has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Bratislava area. Slovakian food is hearty and uses a few staple ingredients like cheese and dumplings. The dishes are warm and filling on a cool day, so it's nice to step into a cozy restaurant and rest after a day of exploring. Popular local dishes include bryndzové halušky (sheep's cheese gnocchi), kapustnica (cabbage soup), and goulash.

Is Tallinn or Bratislava Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Tallinn and Bratislava.

Tallinn has a large number of nightlife venues. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

Bratislava is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has grown in popularity as a center for nightlife with many people visiting from nearby Vienna. There are a growing number of stag and hen parties around town, but you'll also find sophisticated wine bars and a refined social scene. Many of the city's clubs are found in old town around Michalská, Obchodná and Ventúrska streets as well as Hviezdoslavovo and SNP squares.

Is Tallinn or Bratislava Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

The old town of Tallinn is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bratislava. The old town is filled with diverse architecture as well as traditional and upscale restaurants.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Bratislava?

Tallinn is notable for shopping. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Tallinn is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bratislava. Shopping has come to life here, with three large shopping malls and many shopping streets where you'll find local boutiques. The city has both global brands as well as more traditional shops where you can buy local items. Popular things to purchase while you're in town include traditional clothing, wooden crosses, corn husk dolls, and local alcohol such as slivovica.

Is Tallinn or Bratislava Better for Families?

Tallinn and Bratislava are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Tallinn is a family-friendly city. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bratislava. Kids and adults alike will appreciate the lack of tourist crowds when compared to other European cities, even during school holidays. You can explore the city and enjoy a laid back vibe without the chaos of navigating through tour groups and large crowds. There's also a nice old town as well as gardens, playgrounds, palaces, and the Bratislava Castle.

Is Tallinn or Bratislava Better for Couples?

Tallinn is notable for romance. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Tallinn is a very popular place to visit for couples. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

Bratislava makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that enjoy stepping away from tourist crowds will appreciate this relaxed city. There is the beautiful Janko Kráľ Park as well as the Bratislava Castle that you can explore. It's enjoyable to simply walk around the old town and soak up the atmosphere as well. There are also many great restaurants and wine bars where you can enjoy a night out.

Is Tallinn or Bratislava Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is renowned for backpackers. Also, Bratislava is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tallinn is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

Many backpackers visit Bratislava. The city offers an affordable and unique alternative to some of the larger and well known cities that are nearby. There are a couple of hostels and some affordable hotels that will help you keep your expenses down.

Is Tallinn or Bratislava Better for Students?

Tallinn is a popular place for students. However, Bratislava is not popular with students.

Tallinn is a good city to visit for students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

Bratislava is not popular with students.

Is Tallinn or Bratislava Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Tallinn and Bratislava.

Tallinn has some very good public transit options. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

The public transit in Bratislava can get you to most places easily. There are trams, buses, and trolleybuses.

Is Tallinn or Bratislava a more walkable city?

Tallinn and Bratislava are fantastic when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Tallinn. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

Getting around Bratislava on foot is easy. One of the best ways to experience the city is to walk around. The old town is also a large pedestrian zone.

For even more information, also check out Is Tallinn Worth Visiting? and Is Bratislava Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bratislava or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Bratislava?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tallinn and Bratislava. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tallinn than in Bratislava. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Tallinn, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bratislava.

Families should spend more time in Tallinn than Bratislava. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tallinn, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tallinn than Bratislava. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tallinn that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tallinn than Bratislava if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Tallinn.

One day in Tallinn or Bratislava?

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Tallinn, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bratislava, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Tallinn or Bratislava?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Tallinn, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Bratislava, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bratislava has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Bratislava?

Tallinn, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bratislava is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Tallinn or Bratislava?

Tallinn is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bratislava. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bratislava. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovakia, and The Best River Cruises in Slovakia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Bratislava?

Bratislava has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Tallinn. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn and Bratislava, 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 Tallinn or Bratislava?

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 Tallinn or Bratislava in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Bratislava. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bratislava for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Tallinn is generally cooler than Bratislava. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 17°C (62°F), and Bratislava fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bratislava. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tallinn this time of the year. In the summer, Tallinn often gets more sunshine than Bratislava. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bratislava receives 255 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets more rain in July than Bratislava. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Bratislava in the Autumn?

Both Bratislava and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tallinn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bratislava because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Tallinn is much colder than Bratislava in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Bratislava fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Bratislava during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Bratislava receives 140 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tallinn usually receives more rain than Bratislava. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or Bratislava in the Winter?

Both Bratislava and Tallinn during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bratislava this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bratislava in the winter. The weather in Tallinn can be very cold. In the winter, Tallinn is much colder than Bratislava. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tallinn in January average around -5°C (22°F), and Bratislava averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Bratislava. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bratislava receives 65 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets more rain in January than Bratislava. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Bratislava in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Bratislava. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bratislava for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Tallinn in the spring. In April, Tallinn is generally much colder than Bratislava. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 4°C (39°F), and Bratislava fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bratislava this time of the year. Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Bratislava during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Bratislava receives 202 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Bratislava. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bratislava and Tallinn