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

Should you visit Tartu or Villach?

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 Villach 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 lively, intellectual, and student-oriented university town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife.

Villach

Villach is a nature-filled, outdoorsy, and historic town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Tartu and Villach: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Tartu or Villach?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Villach than Tartu. While Tartu is larger than Villach, Villach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Villach is very popular for its museums, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Tartu attracts visitors for its nightlife and historical sights. Villach is more touristy than Tartu and is popular for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square. It is also well known for The Villach Main Square. Tartu is famous for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Villach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tartu
Villach

Villach is a town with good options for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Villach. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Tartu
Villach

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tartu and Villach can be difficult as they are each reasonable 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.

Villach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Tartu or Villach Better for Nightlife?

Tartu
Villach

Tartu is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Tartu has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Villach. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

Is Tartu or Villach Better for its Old Town?

Tartu
Villach

Tartu is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Villach is a good destination for visiting its old town. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.


Is Tartu or Villach Better for Hiking?

Tartu
Villach

Villach is a great town for hiking. However, Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Villach for the hiking trails. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

Tartu is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Villach?

Tartu
Villach

If you're looking to go shopping, Tartu and Villach both offer plenty of reasonable spots.

Tartu has some good spots for those that want to go 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.

Villach is a good destination for shopping. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.

Is Tartu or Villach Better for Families?

Tartu
Villach

Villach is a great town 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 Villach. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

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 Villach Better for Couples?

Tartu
Villach

Villach is a great town for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Villach is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

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 Villach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tartu
Villach

For backpackers, both Tartu and Villach are excellent 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 Villach. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

Is Tartu or Villach Better for Students?

Tartu
Villach

Tartu is terrific for students. However, Villach is not popular with students.

Many students frequent 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.

Villach is not popular with students.


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

Tartu
Villach

Tartu is a popular place for its public transit. However, Villach is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

Is Tartu or Villach a more walkable city?

Tartu
Villach

Tartu is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its 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.

Villach is generally not a very walkable university town. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Villach or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Villach?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tartu and Villach. In our opinion, Tartu has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Tartu than Villach. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Tartu or Villach? Ideal Length of Stay
    Tartu 1-3 
    Villach 1-3

One day in Tartu or Villach?

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 Villach, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this outdoorsy destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This town 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 Villach?

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 Villach. 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 Villach?

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.

Villach is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the destination of Villach. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Villach?

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 museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Villach. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Villach or Tartu?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tartu is €105, while the average daily cost in Villach is €116. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tartu and Villach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tartu 47
    Villach 69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tartu 94
    Villach 138
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Villach

Looking for a hotel in Tartu or Villach? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Tartu


Hotels in Villach


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tartu Hotel Prices and Villach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tartu 27
    Villach 18

Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Villach?

Prices for flights to both Villach and Tartu change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tartu 37
    Villach 35
Typical Food Prices in Tartu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:


  • Danishes
    0.76
  • Lunch for Two
    4.93
  • Ice Cream
    1.27
  • Cookies
    0.51
  • Coffee & Cake
    3.47

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tartu 16
    Villach 15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu

For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Art Museum ticket
    0.95
  • Movie Ticket
    3.47

Tours and Activities in Tartu

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tartu.

  • European Capital of Culture 2024 - Cycling Tour: $14
  • Around Viljandi bike tour: $27
  • TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR & KENNEL VISIT: $75
  • Magical Tartu Romantic Walking Tour: $127
  • Charming Viljandi Walking Tour for Couples: $142
  • Spectacular Christmas Walking Tour in Viljandi: $199
  • Traditional Christmas Walking Tour in Tartu: $234

Tours and Activities in Villach

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Villach are as follows:

  • Villach Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide: $250
  • Magic Christmas Tour: $769
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tartu 16
    Villach 14


When comparing the travel costs between Tartu and Villach, we can see that Villach 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 Villach Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tartu or Villach?

Tartu has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Villach. When comparing the sizes of Tartu and Villach, 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 Villach?

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 Villach in the Summer?

Both Villach and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Villach in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tartu is cooler than Villach in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Villach fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Villach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Villach. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 288 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Villach. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tartu 17°C (62°F) 
    Villach 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Villach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Villach. Many visitors come to Tartu in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Villach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Villach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Villach averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Villach during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Villach. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tartu 6°C (43°F) 
    Villach 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Villach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Villach. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Villach because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Tartu can be very cold during winter. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Villach. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Villach fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Villach. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 96 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Villach. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tartu -7°C (19°F) 
    Villach 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Tartu or Villach in the Spring?

Both Villach and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Tartu because of the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Villach this time of year.

The weather in Tartu can be very cold. Tartu is much colder than Villach in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Villach fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Villach during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Villach. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tartu 5°C (41°F) 
    Villach 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Villach and Tartu

Tartu Villach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)