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

Should you visit Tartu or Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik 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. Tartu is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife. See Tartu travel costs.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come to Reykjavik because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking. See Reykjavik travel costs.

Tartu and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Reykjavik. Although Tartu and Reykjavik are about the same size, Reykjavik has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Reykjavik is better known for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Tartu is more popular for its nightlife and historical sights. Reykjavik is more touristy than Tartu and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Also, Reykjavik is famous for The Thermal Pools. Tartu is well known for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tartu and Reykjavik can be difficult as they are each respectable in their own way.

Tartu may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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.

Reykjavik offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Tartu or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Tartu has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Tartu or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Tartu is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Tartu or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Around Reykjavik visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Reykjavik?

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

Reykjavik has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

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 Reykjavik More Beautiful?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Reykjavik because of it's amazing beauty. The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.

Tartu is a gorgeous place to visit. It's a beautiful city with a long history and a number of unique historical buildings.

Is Tartu or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Reykjavik. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Tartu is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Tartu or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is a great city for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Reykjavik is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

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 Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Reykjavik is a good university town to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Tartu or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Tartu is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Tartu and Reykjavik both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Tartu offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Reykjavik has a few public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Tartu or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Tartu and Reykjavik are high quality 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.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Reykjavik?

In either Tartu or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Tartu because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Tartu, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

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

You'll find nightlife around the university town of Tartu. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tartu has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this safe destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife around the student-oriented destination of Tartu. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife when visiting the cultural university town of Tartu. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tartu or Reykjavik?

Tartu is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the green destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tartu is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tartu in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Tartu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Reykjavik. The autumn months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. In October, Tartu is generally a little warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 6°C (43°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. It's quite cold in Tartu in the winter. Tartu is much colder than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Tartu during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. In the spring, Tartu is a little warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tartu in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Tartu