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

Should you visit Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Rijeka? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion is a impressive, spectacular, and iconic destination. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and beaches.

Rijeka

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

Cape Sounion and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Home to the Temple of Poseidon
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less attractive beach


Is there more to do in Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rijeka. Although Cape Sounion and Rijeka are popular destinations, Rijeka has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rijeka is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Cape Sounion attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, and impressive beauty. Cape Sounion is famous for its link to Greek mythology and its stunningly beautiful sunsets. Rijeka is famous for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. It is also well known for Trsat Castle.

How is Cape Sounion different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

Cape Sounion is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Cape Sounion on the map. The Temple of Poseidon is the main attraction here, but also nearby you'll find the Temple of Athena. The views, history, and connection to mythology fascinates most visitors who consider this to be a spectacular sight.

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 Cape Sounion or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

Both Cape Sounion and Rijeka offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

Cape Sounion is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes as well as fine dining restaurants which are mostly located in hotels. Seafood is the cuisine of choice with many delicious Greek dishes available.

Rijeka offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Cape Sounion or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

Rijeka is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Cape Sounion is lacking in options for nightlife.

Rijeka has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Cape Sounion is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some bars and lounges that are connected to hotels. If you're spending the night, these are nice places to enjoy a drink in a beautiful setting.

Is Cape Sounion or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

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

Many people head to Cape Sounion to enjoy the beach. If you allow enough time, there are a couple of beaches where you can swim while enjoying views of the temple.

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 the Shopping Better in Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

Rijeka is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cape Sounion or Rijeka Better for Families?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

Rijeka is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cape Sounion. Kids who like mythology will appreciated a trip to the famed Temple of Poseidon. It dates back to the 5th century and is dedicated to the God of the Sea. Also nearby is the Temple of Athena.

Is Cape Sounion or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

With fun activities for couples, both Cape Sounion and Rijeka make for a nice place to visit.

Cape Sounion is a good destination for couples to visit. Couples should definitely stay for the stunning sunset which provides dramatic oranges, pinks, and reds at the sun dips below the horizon.

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 Cape Sounion or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

Cape Sounion and Rijeka are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cape Sounion. The Temple of Poseidon is an iconic site about an hour and a half outside of Athens. It appeals to all types of travelers, including backpackers and budget travelers.

Rijeka is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Cape Sounion or Rijeka Better for Students?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

Rijeka is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cape Sounion is not popular with students.

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.

Cape Sounion is not popular with students.

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

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cape Sounion and Rijeka.

Cape Sounion has some public transit options. There are local buses that travel from Athens to Cape Sounion and take between 2 and 3 hours.

You'll find some public transit in Rijeka, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.


Is Cape Sounion or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Cape Sounion
Rijeka

Cape Sounion and Rijeka are nice when it comes to walkability.

Cape Sounion is a somewhat walkable destination. You can walk around the archeological site and the bus stops close enough that it is accessible.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Cape Sounion?

How long in Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cape Sounion or Rijeka to fill your time. In our opinion, Rijeka has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rijeka than Cape Sounion. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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


  • How many days in Cape Sounion or Rijeka? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cape Sounion 1-2 
    Rijeka 1-2

One day in Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Cape Sounion. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Rijeka, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this coastal town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

Cape Sounion is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.


Five days in Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cape Sounion. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 diverse destination of Rijeka. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the impressive destination of Cape Sounion. This destination 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 popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Rijeka or Cape Sounion?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Sounion is €158, while the average daily cost in Rijeka is €95. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cape Sounion and Rijeka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cape Sounion 99
    Rijeka 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cape Sounion 198
    Rijeka 100
Compare Hotels in Cape Sounion and Rijeka

Looking for a hotel in Cape Sounion or Rijeka? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cape Sounion


Hotels in Rijeka


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Rijeka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cape Sounion 26
    Rijeka 16

Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

Prices for flights to both Rijeka and Cape Sounion change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cape Sounion 41
    Rijeka 34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cape Sounion 19
    Rijeka 8.89

Tours and Activities in Rijeka

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rijeka are as follows:

  • Drava Sup Exploring Adventure: $44
  • From Golden Island of Krk Tour: $93
  • Istria Highlights Tour from Rijeka or Pula: $122
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour: $631
  • Private Walking Cultural Tour of Rijeka: $235
  • History of Military Forts Guided Tour: $64
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $127
  • Pula, Rovinj, and Panoramic Istrian Coast Tour: $121
  • Tour the underground with no experience required: $64
  • Ucka Mountain: Guided Hiking Tour: $449

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cape Sounion 23
    Rijeka 16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Sounion and Rijeka, we can see that Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cape Sounion or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Cape Sounion. When comparing the sizes of Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cape Sounion as well as Rijeka. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cape Sounion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cape Sounion is a little warmer than Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Sounion averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rijeka. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Sounion this time of the year. In the summer, Cape Sounion often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Cape Sounion gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Cape Sounion gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cape Sounion 27°C (81°F) 
    Rijeka 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Cape Sounion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cape Sounion for the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cape Sounion is a little warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Sounion in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Sounion. Cape Sounion usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Cape Sounion gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Cape Sounion gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cape Sounion 19°C (67°F) 
    Rijeka 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Cape Sounion during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cape Sounion in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Cape Sounion is generally much warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Cape Sounion average around 10°C (51°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Cape Sounion often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Cape Sounion gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Cape Sounion gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cape Sounion 10°C (51°F) 
    Rijeka 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Cape Sounion or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Sounion and Rijeka. Most visitors come to Cape Sounion for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Cape Sounion is a little warmer than Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Sounion averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Cape Sounion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Sounion usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Cape Sounion gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Cape Sounion gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cape Sounion 16°C (60°F) 
    Rijeka 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion Rijeka
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 25 mm (1 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 51 mm (2 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)