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

Should you visit Heraklion or Rijeka?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Rijeka can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a historic, vibrant, and accessible 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 coastal, accessible, and diverse town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Heraklion and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Rijeka?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Heraklion. Although Heraklion and Rijeka are both popular with visitors, Heraklion has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Heraklion is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos. Rijeka is popular for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Heraklion different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Heraklion 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 Heraklion specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. The impressive Palace of Knossos is a must-see, but also make sure you visit the Koules Fortress, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum of Crete.

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 Heraklion or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Heraklion 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 Heraklion is an experience not to be missed. The city is home to countless Cretan restaurants that range in style and budget. There are fine dining restaurants as well as local dives with casual street food. The restaurants reflect the island's multi-cultural past with many styles and flavors available.

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 Heraklion or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Heraklion and Rijeka.

Heraklion has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife on the island of Crete. There are many all-night clubs as well as bars that stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. In particular, there are many British tourists hanging out at the clubs and bars.

Rijeka is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Heraklion or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is a well-known place for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

Heraklion is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You'll find world-class beaches just outside of town, if you're willing to explore a little. Agia Pelagia Beach is about half an hour away and Limanakia Beach is also not a bad day trip. If you want to stay closer to town, head to nearby Amnissos Beach.

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 Heraklion or Rijeka?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Heraklion and Rijeka.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Heraklion. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Many visitors go to Rijeka to go shopping. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Heraklion or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Rijeka is very family-friendly. 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 Heraklion. In town you'll find many historical and educational sights such as the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Koules Venetian fortress. Kids will also enjoy walking the Venetian Walls that are in town. If you're willing to head a bit outside of town, in about half an hour you can reach the Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, or Acqua Plus Water Park.

Is Heraklion or Rijeka Better for Couples?

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

Heraklion is a very popular place to visit for couples. Most couples head outside of town to other parts of the island, but those who linger in town for a while will enjoy world-class museums and fascinating archeological sights.

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 Heraklion or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion 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.

Heraklion is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

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

Is Heraklion or Rijeka Better for Students?

Rijeka is a town with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion 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.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Heraklion and Rijeka.

Heraklion has some public transit options. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

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 Heraklion or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Heraklion 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.

Heraklion is a very walkable destination. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Heraklion or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Heraklion 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 Heraklion, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

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

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

One day in Heraklion or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Heraklion. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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

A weekend in Heraklion or Rijeka?

Heraklion 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.

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

Five days in Heraklion or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the accessible town of Rijeka. 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.

A week in Heraklion or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Heraklion. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Rijeka 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Rijeka. Many visitors come to Heraklion in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Rijeka averages at about 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 Heraklion this time of the year. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Rijeka in the Winter?

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

Heraklion is much warmer than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Rijeka. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Heraklion is a little warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Heraklion