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

Should you visit Bari or Rijeka?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bari and Rijeka. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bari

Bari is a cultural, authentic, and local port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a diverse, slow-paced, and coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bari and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bari or Rijeka?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bari than Rijeka. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rijeka is more touristy than Bari and is popular for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. Bari is famous for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. It is also well known for San Nicola.

How is Bari different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bari 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 Bari specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

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 Bari or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bari is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Bari has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

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 Bari or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find high quality options in both Bari and Rijeka.

The nightlife in Bari has something for everybody. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

Rijeka offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Is Bari or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Bari to enjoy the beach. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

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 Bari or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Bari is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bari or Rijeka?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bari and Rijeka both offer plenty of nice spots.

Bari has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Rijeka is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Bari or Rijeka Better for Families?

Both Bari and Rijeka are high quality family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bari. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

Rijeka is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Bari or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Bari and Rijeka both nice destinations for a couple.

Bari is a good port city for couples to visit. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

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 Bari or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bari is a very popular port city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

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

Is Bari or Rijeka Better for Students?

Bari is a well-known place for students. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Bari is very popular with students. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

Plenty of students 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 Bari or Rijeka Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bari and Rijeka both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Bari offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Rijeka has a few public transit options. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Bari or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Bari is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Bari is a very walkable destination. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Bari?

How long in Bari or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bari or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bari than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bari, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bari 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 Bari.

One day in Bari or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Rijeka. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bari or Rijeka?

Bari is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Rijeka is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bari or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bari. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Rijeka. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bari or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Bari. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The coastal town of Rijeka offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy, 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 Bari and Rijeka, we can see that Bari 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 Bari would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bari 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 Bari Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bari or Rijeka?

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

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 Bari or Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and Bari during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bari for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bari is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Bari averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Rijeka, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bari. In the summer, Bari often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Bari gets 336 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Bari usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Bari gets 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bari or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bari and Rijeka. Many visitors come to Bari in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Bari is a little warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bari in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Bari usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during autumn. Bari gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bari usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Bari gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bari or Rijeka in the Winter?

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

In January, Bari is generally much warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Bari average around 10°C (49°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Bari often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Bari gets 110 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Bari usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Bari gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bari or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Bari are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bari because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

Bari is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in Bari averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bari. Bari usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Bari gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bari usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Bari gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Bari