A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tartu vs. Salzburg for Old Town, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Tartu or Salzburg?

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 Salzburg 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a historic, beautiful, and musical city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Tartu and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Salzburg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Tartu. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Salzburg is very popular for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Tartu attracts visitors for its nightlife. Salzburg is more touristy than Tartu and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Tartu is famous for its vibrant student population and long running university.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Tartu different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Salzburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

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 Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Tartu is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Tartu offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Tartu or Salzburg Better for Music?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Tartu is not a live music destination.

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Tartu is not a live music destination.

Is Tartu or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its historic old town.

Salzburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Salzburg?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Many people travel to Salzburg specifically to go shopping. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg Better for Families?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an amazing city to visit for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Salzburg is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tartu and Salzburg are high quality 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Salzburg. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Is Tartu or Salzburg Better for Students?

For students, both Tartu and Salzburg are first-rate places to visit.

Tartu is a very popular university town 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.

Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

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

Is Tartu or Salzburg a more walkable city?

Tartu and Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Salzburg?

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

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

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

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

One day in Tartu or Salzburg?

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.

In Salzburg, many people enjoy the live music and food that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city 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 Salzburg?

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 Salzburg. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tartu or Salzburg?

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.

Salzburg is a fun place to experience. In Salzburg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tartu or Salzburg?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Salzburg?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

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 Salzburg in the Summer?

Both Salzburg and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Tartu is cooler than Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Salzburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Salzburg. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Salzburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Salzburg. The autumn months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Salzburg. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Salzburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Salzburg. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Salzburg. It's quite cold in Tartu in the winter. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Salzburg. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Salzburg in the Spring?

Both Salzburg and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. Tartu is much colder than Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Tartu