A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tartu vs. Leipzig for Nightlife, Backpackers, Food, and Families

Should you visit Tartu or Leipzig?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Leipzig can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tartu

Tartu is a student-oriented, cultural, and historical university town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife.

Leipzig

Leipzig is a cultural, historic, and growing city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tartu and Leipzig: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Leipzig?

You'll generally find more things to do in Leipzig than Tartu. Leipzig is bigger than Tartu, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Leipzig is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Tartu is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Leipzig is more touristy than Tartu and is known for being the home of several great musicians such as Bach and Richard Wagner. Also, Leipzig is famous for The Old City Hall. Tartu is well known for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Leipzig?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tartu or Leipzig?

Leipzig is a great city for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Leipzig. There are many historic landmarks like Old City Hall, St. Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the Battle of the Nations Monument.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tartu or Leipzig? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Leipzig is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Leipzig is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Coffee houses and cellar restaurants offer an unique atmosphere where you can enjoy local specialties. Sample beef roulade or Saxon dumplings while you soak up the cozy ambiance.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Leipzig Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is great for nightlife. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Tartu for the nightlife scene. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Leipzig. Nightlife in town centers around live theater, cultural centers, and live entertainment.

Is Tartu or Leipzig Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is great for its historic old town. However, Leipzig does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Tartu to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

Leipzig does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Leipzig?

Leipzig is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Leipzig. The city center has most of the best shopping areas. There are pedestrian streets and squares like Petersstraße and Marktplatz, as well as large shopping malls like Promenaden Hauptbahnhof Leipzig and Petersbogen.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Leipzig Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Leipzig are notable to visit with kids.

Tartu offers lots of family activities. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Leipzig is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to Belantis, which is an amusement park with rides, or take the kids to one of the many parks like Clara-Zetkin Park where they can unwind. The Leipzig Zoo makes a nice outing as well or Maya Mare is a fun waterpark. There are also several good museums like the Leipzig Panometer.

Is Tartu or Leipzig Better for Couples?

Leipzig is a city with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Leipzig is a good city for couples to visit. There are many beautiful outdoor parks and natural areas where couples can enjoy this beautiful city.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Leipzig Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Tartu is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

Leipzig is a good university town to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers overlook this city, but there are a few hostels and some nice areas to explore for those who make their way here.

Is Tartu or Leipzig Better for Students?

Tartu is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Leipzig is not popular with students.

Tartu is a great destination for students. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

Leipzig is not popular with students.

Is Tartu or Leipzig Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Leipzig is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Leipzig. The city has 61 bus lines and 13 tram lines that connect Leizpig to elsewhere in the region.

Tartu has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Is Tartu or Leipzig a more walkable city?

Tartu is great for its walkability. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Tartu is very walkable. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

Leipzig is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of Leizpig are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Tartu Worth Visiting? and Is Leipzig Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Leipzig or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Leipzig?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tartu and Leipzig. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tartu than Leipzig 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 Tartu.

One day in Tartu or Leipzig?

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

In Leipzig, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tartu or Leipzig?

In Tartu, you'll find nightlife. 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 Tartu has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Leipzig. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tartu or Leipzig?

Tartu 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.

Leipzig is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Leipzig. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Leipzig?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tartu. Many people enjoy the nightlife when visiting Tartu. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Leipzig. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Leipzig?

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

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 Tartu or Leipzig in the Summer?

Both Leipzig and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Leipzig because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tartu is cooler than Leipzig. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tartu in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Leipzig averages at about 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Leipzig. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tartu. Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Leipzig during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Leipzig. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Leipzig in the Autumn?

Both Leipzig and Tartu during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Leipzig this time of year.

In October, Tartu is generally much colder than Leipzig. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 6°C (43°F), and Leipzig fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Leipzig. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 107 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in October than Leipzig. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Leipzig in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Leipzig. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Leipzig for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Leipzig. It's quite cold in Tartu in the winter. Tartu is much colder than Leipzig in the winter. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Leipzig fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Leipzig during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Leipzig. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Leipzig in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Leipzig. Many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. In the spring, Tartu is much colder than Leipzig. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tartu in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Leipzig averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Leipzig. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 143 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Leipzig. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Leipzig and Tartu