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

Should you visit Lake Garda or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a scenic, playful, and fun lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

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.

Lake Garda and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lake Garda or Rijeka?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rijeka. Although Lake Garda and Rijeka are both popular with visitors, Rijeka has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Rijeka is more popular for its big city activities, while Lake Garda is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Lake Garda is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. 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 Lake Garda different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lake Garda or Rijeka?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Lake Garda and Rijeka.

Lake Garda offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rijeka. 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 Lake Garda or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

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 Lake Garda or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Both Lake Garda and Rijeka have great vibes after the sun sets.

Lake Garda has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

The people in Rijeka know how to have a good time. 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 Lake Garda or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

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

Lake Garda is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

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 Lake Garda or Rijeka Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Lake Garda is a popular spot for hiking. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lake Garda or Rijeka?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lake Garda. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

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

Is Lake Garda or Rijeka Better for Families?

Lake Garda is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is one of the most popular family destinations. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

Rijeka is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Lake Garda or Rijeka Better for Couples?

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

Lake Garda is a very popular place to visit for couples. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

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 Lake Garda or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lake Garda and Rijeka are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lake Garda. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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

Is Lake Garda or Rijeka Better for Students?

Rijeka is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

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

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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

Is Lake Garda or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is a very walkable destination. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Lake Garda?

How long in Lake Garda or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lake Garda or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lake Garda than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Lake Garda, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Lake Garda or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lake Garda. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the coastal town of Rijeka, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rijeka, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Lake Garda or Rijeka?

Lake Garda 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Rijeka, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Lake Garda or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Rijeka, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Lake Garda or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the playful destination of Lake Garda. This lake offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Rijeka is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to Italy, 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 Lake Garda and Rijeka, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda or Rijeka in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Lake Garda is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lake Garda in July average around 24°C (75°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 Lake Garda this time of the year. In the summer, Lake Garda often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Lake Garda gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Lake Garda usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Lake Garda gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lake Garda or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Lake Garda are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and 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 October, Lake Garda is generally cooler than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Lake Garda average around 14°C (57°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Lake Garda usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Lake Garda gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lake Garda usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rijeka. Lake Garda gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lake Garda or Rijeka in the Winter?

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

Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. Lake Garda is much colder than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Lake Garda averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Lake Garda often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Lake Garda gets 98 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Lake Garda usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Lake Garda gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lake Garda or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lake Garda and Rijeka. Most visitors come to Lake Garda 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.

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

Lake Garda usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during spring. Lake Garda gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lake Garda usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Lake Garda gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Lake Garda