A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Reykjavik for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bucharest or Reykjavik?

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 Bucharest and Reykjavik. 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.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a historical, less touristy, and undiscovered city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bucharest than Reykjavik. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bucharest is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Bucharest is famous for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. It is also well known for The Palace of Parliament.

How is Bucharest different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Reykjavik?

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Bucharest is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Reykjavik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bucharest. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Bucharest or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Reykjavik.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

If you're looking for night time activities Reykjavik has a few options to choose from. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Bucharest or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Bucharest is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Bucharest or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is renowned for its hiking experiences. However, Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Reykjavik is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Reykjavik?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Reykjavik and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Reykjavik has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Bucharest or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is a very kid-friendly city. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is well known for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest and Reykjavik are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Bucharest or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a good destination for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Bucharest or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bucharest. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Bucharest or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Reykjavik?

In either Bucharest or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Bucharest because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bucharest than Reykjavik 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 Bucharest.

One day in Bucharest or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bucharest. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bucharest has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bucharest. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the clean destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Bucharest. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the safe city of Reykjavik. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Bucharest or Reykjavik?

Bucharest is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Reykjavik?

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

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 Bucharest or Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Bucharest is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bucharest this time of the year. In the summer, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Bucharest is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Bucharest during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the winter. The weather in Bucharest can be very cold. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Reykjavik. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In April, Bucharest is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Bucharest