A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mamaia vs. Rijeka for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mamaia or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Mamaia 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.

Where Should I go: Mamaia or Rijeka?

Mamaia

The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.

Rijeka

Rijeka is the main seaport city of Croatia. It is located in Kvarner on the Kvarner Bay, which is an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. There are over 100,000 residents, making it Croatia's third largest city. The city's economy is heavily dependent on shipbuilding and maritime transport. There is also the University of Rijeka, which was founded in 1973 with roots dating back to 1632.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Rijeka or Mamaia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mamaia is $64, while the average daily cost in Rijeka is $101. 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 Mamaia and Rijeka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mamaia $25
    Rijeka $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mamaia $50
    Rijeka $108
Compare Hotels in Mamaia and Rijeka

Looking for a hotel in Mamaia 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 Mamaia


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.
    Mamaia $27
    Rijeka $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia

Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174
  • Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $218
  • Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $251
  • Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272

Is it cheaper to fly into Mamaia or Rijeka?

Prices for flights to both Rijeka and Mamaia 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
    Mamaia $22
    Rijeka $36

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mamaia $13
    Rijeka $9.48

Tours and Activities in Mamaia

For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
  • Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
  • One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175

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
    Mamaia $12
    Rijeka $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia

Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mamaia and Rijeka, we can see that Rijeka is more expensive. And not only is Mamaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mamaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mamaia 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 Rijeka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rijeka than you might in Mamaia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mamaia Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.



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

The summer brings many poeple to Mamaia as well as Rijeka. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mamaia is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mamaia in July average around 22°C (72°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 Mamaia this time of the year. In the summer, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Mamaia gets 320 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mamaia 22°C (72°F) 
    Rijeka 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Mamaia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Mamaia is generally cooler than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Mamaia average around 14°C (56°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Mamaia gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Mamaia gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mamaia 14°C (56°F) 
    Rijeka 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Rijeka in the Winter?

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

Mamaia can get quite cold in the winter. Mamaia is much colder than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Mamaia often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. Mamaia gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mamaia 1°C (33°F) 
    Rijeka 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mamaia and Rijeka. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Mamaia is cooler than Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mamaia in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Mamaia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during spring. Mamaia gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

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


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mamaia 10°C (51°F) 
    Rijeka 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Mamaia

Mamaia Rijeka
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (33°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 26 mm (1 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)