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

Should you visit Girona 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 Girona 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.

Girona

Girona is a beautiful, colorful, and medieval city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Rijeka

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

Girona and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Girona or Rijeka?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rijeka than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rijeka is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Girona is known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine. 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 Girona different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Girona 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 Girona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

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 Girona or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Girona 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 Girona is an experience not to be missed. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

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 Girona or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Girona or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Rijeka is a moderate town for the beache. However, Girona is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Rijeka. 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.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Girona or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Girona is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Girona is one of the most recognized in the world. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Girona or Rijeka?

Girona is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Girona. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Girona or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Rijeka is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Girona or Rijeka Better for Couples?

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

Girona is a very popular place to visit for couples. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

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 Girona or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Girona and Rijeka are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

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

Is Girona or Rijeka Better for Students?

Girona and Rijeka are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Girona is a good city to visit for students. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

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

Both Girona and Rijeka offer good public transit options.

Girona has a few public transit options. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

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

Is Girona or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Girona is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Girona on foot. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Girona?

How long in Girona or Rijeka?

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

Families should spend more time in Rijeka than Girona. 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.

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

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

One day in Girona or Rijeka?

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

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

A weekend in Girona or Rijeka?

Girona 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 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.

Five days in Girona or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Girona. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rijeka. 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.

A week in Girona or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful destination of Girona. This 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, 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 Girona and Rijeka, we can see that Girona 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 Girona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Girona 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 Girona Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Girona or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Girona 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 Girona 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 Girona or Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and Girona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Girona for the small town charm 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.

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

It's quite sunny in Rijeka. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Girona. Girona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during summer. Girona gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Girona usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Girona gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Girona or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Girona during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Girona in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Girona is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Girona average around 16°C (61°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Girona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Girona gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets less rain in October than Rijeka. Girona gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Girona or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Girona and Rijeka. Most visitors come to Girona 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.

Girona is a little warmer than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Girona averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Girona usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during winter. Girona gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Girona usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Girona gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Girona or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Girona as well as Rijeka. The spring months attract visitors to Girona because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

In the spring, Girona is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Girona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Girona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Girona gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun.

Girona usually gets less rain in April than Rijeka. Girona gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Girona