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

Should you visit Tartu or Potsdam?

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 Potsdam 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 intellectual, student-oriented, and cultural university town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a park-filled, historic, and accessible city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Tartu and Potsdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Potsdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Potsdam than Tartu, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Potsdam is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm, while Tartu is known for its nightlife and historical sights. Potsdam is more touristy than Tartu and is popular for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin. It is also home to The Sanssouci Palace. Tartu is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Potsdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Potsdam 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 Potsdam?

Potsdam 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 Potsdam. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Potsdam is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Potsdam has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

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 Potsdam Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Tartu is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Potsdam has a few options to choose from. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

Is Tartu or Potsdam Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is well known for its old town. However, Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Tartu. 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.

Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Potsdam?

Potsdam is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Potsdam has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

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 Potsdam Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Potsdam are good 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.

Potsdam is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Is Tartu or Potsdam Better for Couples?

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

Potsdam is a good city for couples to visit. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

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 Potsdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is well known for backpackers. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tartu is a great university town to visit for backpackers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Potsdam. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

Is Tartu or Potsdam Better for Students?

Tartu is very popular for students. However, Potsdam is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Tartu. 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.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

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

Potsdam 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 Potsdam. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

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

Is Tartu or Potsdam a more walkable city?

Tartu and Potsdam are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Potsdam is very walkable. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Potsdam or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Potsdam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Tartu or Potsdam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Tartu than Potsdam because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 1-2 days is enough time in Potsdam.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tartu than Potsdam 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 Potsdam?

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 Potsdam, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this accessible 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 Potsdam?

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 Potsdam. 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 Potsdam?

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.

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

A week in Tartu or Potsdam?

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 accessible destination of Potsdam. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Tartu and Potsdam, we can see that Potsdam is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Potsdam?

Potsdam has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Potsdam, 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 Potsdam?

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 Tartu or Potsdam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Potsdam. Many visitors come to Tartu in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Tartu is generally cooler than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 17°C (62°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Potsdam. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tartu this time of the year. In the summer, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Potsdam. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in July than Potsdam. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Potsdam in the Autumn?

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

Tartu is much colder than Potsdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Potsdam fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Potsdam in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Potsdam in the winter. The weather in Tartu can be very cold. In the winter, Tartu is much colder than Potsdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tartu in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Potsdam averages at about -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Potsdam. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Potsdam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Potsdam. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the spring. In April, Tartu is generally much colder than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 5°C (41°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Potsdam. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Potsdam and Tartu