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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Porto?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Porto, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a quiet, calm, and peaceful island. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Saaremaa is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches. See Saaremaa travel costs.

Porto

Porto is a dynamic, historic, and cultural port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, Porto attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Porto travel costs.

Saaremaa and Porto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Porto?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Porto than Saaremaa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Porto is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Saaremaa is more popular for its beaches and small town charm. Porto is more touristy than Saaremaa and is known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira. Saaremaa is well known for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Porto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saaremaa or Porto?

Porto is great for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Porto can be an interesting and educational experience. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Saaremaa or Porto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto is an amazing port city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Porto is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saaremaa makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Saaremaa or Porto Better for Nightlife?

Porto is great for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Porto for the nightlife scene. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

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 Saaremaa or Porto Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is very good for its beaches. However, Porto is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Saaremaa to enjoy the beach. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Porto Better for its Old Town?

Porto is great for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Porto to see the historical old town. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Porto?

Porto is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Porto has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Porto More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of excellent scenery and beauty in both Saaremaa and Porto.

With stunning beauty, Saaremaa attracts visitors from all around. The island has a classic beauty that feels frozen in time.

Porto is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city sits beautifully on the water and it has a charming atmosphere.

Is Saaremaa or Porto Better for Families?

Porto is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Porto. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

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 Saaremaa or Porto Better for Couples?

Saaremaa and Porto are both excellent to visit as a couple.

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.

Porto is a very popular place to visit for couples. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

Is Saaremaa or Porto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is an amazing port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Saaremaa is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Porto, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

Saaremaa is a good island 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 Saaremaa or Porto Better for Students?

Porto is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

Porto is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

Is Saaremaa or Porto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Porto is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

The public transit in Porto can get you to most places easily. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

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 Saaremaa or Porto a more walkable city?

Porto is great for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its walkability.

Porto is a very walkable destination. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Saaremaa Worth Visiting? and Is Porto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Porto or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Porto?

In either Saaremaa or Porto, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Porto than Saaremaa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saaremaa, and 2-5 days is enough time in Porto.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Porto than Saaremaa 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 Porto.

One day in Saaremaa or Porto?

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

Porto is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Saaremaa or Porto?

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.

Porto is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city 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 Porto, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Saaremaa or Porto?

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

Porto is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Porto, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Saaremaa or Porto?

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

Porto is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Porto, we can see that Porto is more expensive. And not only is Saaremaa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saaremaa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saaremaa 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto than you might in Saaremaa.

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Porto, 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 Saaremaa or Porto?

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 Saaremaa or Porto in the Summer?

Both Porto and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Porto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saaremaa is cooler than Porto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Porto averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Porto during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saaremaa usually receives more rain than Porto. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Porto in the Autumn?

Both Porto and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Porto. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Porto. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Porto. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Porto in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. Saaremaa is much colder than Porto in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Porto during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Porto. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Porto in the Spring?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Porto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Porto averages at about 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. In the spring, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Porto. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Porto and Saaremaa