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

Should you visit Graz or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Graz 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.

Graz

Graz is a cultural, historical, and beautiful city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a diverse, slow-paced, and coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Graz and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Rijeka?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rijeka than Graz. While Graz is larger than Rijeka, Rijeka has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rijeka is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Graz is known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Graz is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. 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 Graz different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Graz 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 Graz specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

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 Graz or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Graz 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 Graz is an experience not to be missed. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

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 Graz or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Graz and Rijeka.

Many people head to Graz for the nightlife scene. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

Rijeka has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Graz or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Rijeka is adequate for the beache. However, Graz 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.

Graz is not a beach destination.

Is Graz or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Graz is one of the most recognized in the world. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Graz or Rijeka?

Graz 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 Graz. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

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

Is Graz or Rijeka Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Graz or Rijeka.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Graz is very family-friendly. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

Rijeka is known to be 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 Graz or Rijeka Better for Couples?

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

Graz is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

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 Graz or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Graz and Rijeka are good places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Graz. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

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

Is Graz or Rijeka Better for Students?

Graz 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.

Graz is very popular with students. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

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

Graz is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Graz. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

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

Is Graz or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Graz 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 Graz on foot. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Graz?

How long in Graz or Rijeka?

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

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

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

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

One day in Graz or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Graz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Graz or Rijeka?

Graz 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 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 Graz or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. 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 diverse 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 Graz or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Graz. 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.

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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, 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 Graz and Rijeka, we can see that Graz 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 Graz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Graz 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 Graz Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Graz or Rijeka?

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

Both Rijeka and Graz during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Graz is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Graz in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Rijeka averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Rijeka, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Graz. In the summer, Graz often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually gets more rain in July than Rijeka. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Rijeka. Many travelers come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rijeka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Graz is generally cooler than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Graz usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Graz or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Graz as well as Rijeka. Many visitors come to Graz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Graz can get quite cold in the winter. Graz is much colder than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Graz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Graz for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Graz usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Graz