A Travel Price Comparison for Finland Tampere vs. Savonlinna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tampere or Savonlinna?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tampere and Savonlinna can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tampere or Savonlinna?

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of 35,504 inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle". The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle. Savonlinna is a historical borderland where the cultures and traditions of East and West meet. As the oldest town in Eastern Finland, Savonlinna is famous for its world class opera festival in the medieval castle surrounded by blue waters of Lake Saimaa. With its 100 year old steamships and unparalleled selection of experiences and activities, Savonlinna is a the real gem of Lakeland Finland.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Helsinki.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tampere or Savonlinna?

Tampere has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Tampere and Savonlinna, 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 Tampere or Savonlinna?

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 Tampere or Savonlinna in the Summer?

Both Savonlinna and Tampere during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Tampere is around the same temperature as Savonlinna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampere in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Savonlinna averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In Savonlinna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampere. In the summer, Tampere often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Savonlinna. Tampere gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savonlinna receives 259 hours of full sun.

Tampere usually gets more rain in July than Savonlinna. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampere or Savonlinna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Savonlinna.

It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the autumn. In October, Tampere is generally a little warmer than Savonlinna. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 5°C (42°F), and Savonlinna fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Tampere usually receives more sunshine than Savonlinna during autumn. Tampere gets 81 hours of sunny skies, while Savonlinna receives 72 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampere usually receives less rain than Savonlinna. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampere or Savonlinna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Savonlinna.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. It's quite cold in Tampere in the winter. Tampere is a little warmer than Savonlinna in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Savonlinna fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).

In the winter, Tampere often gets more sunshine than Savonlinna. Tampere gets 37 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savonlinna receives 34 hours of full sun.

Tampere usually gets less rain in January than Savonlinna. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampere or Savonlinna in the Spring?

Both Savonlinna and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Savonlinna can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. In the spring, Tampere is much warmer than Savonlinna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampere in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Savonlinna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Tampere usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Savonlinna during spring. Tampere gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Savonlinna receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampere usually receives around the same amount of rain as Savonlinna. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Savonlinna and Tampere