A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alicante vs. Rijeka for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Alicante or Rijeka?

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 Alicante and Rijeka can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a vibrant, cultural, and colorful city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a accessible, diverse, and slow-paced town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Alicante and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Rijeka?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Rijeka than Alicante. While Alicante is larger than Rijeka, Rijeka has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rijeka is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Alicante is known for its museums, food, beaches, and historical sights. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. Rijeka is popular for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. It is also home to Trsat Castle.

How is Alicante different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alicante or Rijeka?

Alicante is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Alicante specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

Rijeka is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

Is the Food Better in Alicante or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alicante is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Alicante is an experience not to be missed. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is Alicante or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Rijeka is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

If you're looking for night time activities Alicante has a few options to choose from. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

Is Alicante or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Alicante is very good for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

Many people head to Alicante to enjoy the beach. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Is Alicante or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Alicante is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Alicante offers a nice historic old town area. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Rijeka?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rijeka and Alicante.

Alicante offers some nice shopping areas. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Rijeka has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Alicante or Rijeka Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Alicante or Rijeka.

Alicante is a very kid-friendly city. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rijeka. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

Is Alicante or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Alicante is a well-known place for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Alicante is a very popular place to visit for couples. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Is Alicante or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante and Rijeka are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Alicante is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

It's common for backpackers to visit Rijeka. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Alicante or Rijeka Better for Students?

Alicante and Rijeka are good places to visit for students.

Alicante is popular with students. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

It's common for students to visit Rijeka. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

Is Alicante or Rijeka Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Alicante and Rijeka.

You'll find some public transit in Alicante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

While Rijeka offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Alicante or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Alicante and Rijeka both are good when exploring on foot.

Alicante is a somewhat walkable place. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

Rijeka is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Alicante Worth Visiting? and Is Rijeka Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Alicante or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Alicante than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alicante, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alicante than Rijeka 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 Alicante.

One day in Alicante or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Alicante. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Rijeka offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Alicante or Rijeka?

Alicante is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Alicante or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Rijeka 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.

A week in Alicante or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Alicante. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Rijeka?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Rijeka, 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 Alicante or Rijeka?

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 Alicante or Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Rijeka. The summer months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

In the summer, Alicante is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Rijeka averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rijeka this time of the year. In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during summer. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Alicante usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alicante or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Rijeka. The shopping scene are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Alicante is generally a little warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the autumn, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in October than Rijeka. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Alicante is much warmer than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during winter. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Alicante usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alicante or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Alicante during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Alicante in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Alicante is a little warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the spring, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in April than Rijeka. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Alicante