A Travel Price Comparison for Estonia Tartu vs. Saaremaa for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Tartu or Saaremaa?

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 Saaremaa 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a peaceful, relaxed, and traditional island. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food and beaches.

Tartu and Saaremaa: Pros and Cons

How is Tartu different from Saaremaa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Tartu or Saaremaa Better for Food?

Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Saaremaa a bit more than Tartu.

Many restaurants in Saaremaa have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.

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 Saaremaa Better for Nightlife?

Most visitors prefer the nightlife in Tartu.

The nightlife in Tartu has something for everybody. 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.

People don't go to Saaremaa for the nightlife. The island is known for it's quiet, laid-back atmosphere, so you'll be hard pressed to find a party or active club, even during the more popular summer months.

Is Tartu or Saaremaa Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Saaremaa are fun 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.

Saaremaa is a family-friendly place to visit. While the island is known for its slow pace, there are still a number of fun activities where the kids can run and jump. There are several outdoor adventure parks and playgrounds that are great for young legs. Check out the playgrounds in Kuressaare or head out of town for more outdoor activities. When the weather's nice you can head to Kuressaare Beach or check out the ostrich farm in Muhu.

Is Tartu or Saaremaa Better for Couples?

Couples will find a longer list of romantic activities in Saaremaa than Tartu.

Saaremaa is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. The peace and quiet of the island make for a relaxing couple's getaway. You can enjoy the outdoors and feel like you've stepped back in time as you explore the laid back island in the Baltics.

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 Saaremaa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tartu and Saaremaa are fairly comparable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Tartu. 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.

Saaremaa is a good university town to visit for backpackers. While prices are cheap, transportation isn't great so you'll likely want to rent a car if you want to really explore the island. There are a number of rooms available for rent at an affordable price, particularly in the shoulder season, but you'll you'll only find a handful of hostels on the island.

Is Tartu or Saaremaa Better for Public Transit?

Tartu has better 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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saaremaa. Most people arrive on the island by ferry. There are buses on the island but they cater mostly to locals. To really explore, you'll want to have access to a car.

Is Tartu or Saaremaa a more walkable city?

Tartu is more walkable than Saaremaa.

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

Saaremaa is not a walkable university town. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

Should I spend more time in Saaremaa or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Saaremaa?

It's fun to spend time in either Tartu or Saaremaa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saaremaa due to the larger number of activities and things to do.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Tartu is 1-3 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Saaremaa is 2-4 days.

One day in Tartu or Saaremaa?

The university town of Tartu offers nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Lots of people come for the food. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tartu or Saaremaa?

Tartu is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this university town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tartu, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. 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 Saaremaa?

Tartu is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Saaremaa is a fun place to experience. Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Saaremaa?

Tartu is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This university town offers something for everyone.

Saaremaa is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

When is the best time to visit Tartu or Saaremaa?

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 Saaremaa in the Summer?

Both Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tartu is around the same temperature as Saaremaa in the summer. The temperature in Tartu is usually 17°C (62°F) in July, and Saaremaa stays around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tartu. Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Saaremaa during summer. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Saaremaa receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tartu usually receives more rain than Saaremaa. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tartu or Saaremaa in the Autumn?

Both Saaremaa 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 small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

In the autumn, Tartu is cooler than Saaremaa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October are around 6°C (43°F), and Saaremaa is about 8°C (47°F).

In the autumn, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Saaremaa. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saaremaa receives 101 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in October than Saaremaa. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Saaremaa in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. It's quite cold in Tartu in the winter. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Saaremaa. Temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Saaremaa stays around -3°C (27°F).

Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Saaremaa during winter. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Saaremaa receives 33 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tartu usually receives less rain than Saaremaa. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tartu or Saaremaa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Saaremaa. Many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. Tartu is a little warmer than Saaremaa in the spring. The temperature in Tartu is usually 5°C (41°F) in April, and Saaremaa stays around 4°C (38°F).

In the spring, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Saaremaa. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saaremaa receives 196 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in April than Saaremaa. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saaremaa and Tartu