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

Should you visit Messina 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 Messina 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.

Messina

Messina is a local, historic, and bustling port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a accessible, diverse, and slow-paced town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Messina and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Rijeka?

Both Rijeka and Messina have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Messina is well known for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. Rijeka is well known for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Messina different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Messina and Rijeka have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Messina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

Rijeka offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Messina or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Messina and Rijeka.

Messina offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

Rijeka has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Messina or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Messina and Rijeka.

Messina is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

Many people head to Rijeka for the nightlife scene. 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 Messina or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Both Messina and Rijeka are considered to be respectable beach destinations.

Messina is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Rijeka?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rijeka and Messina.

Messina is a great destination for shopping. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Messina or Rijeka Better for Families?

Both Messina and Rijeka are superb to visit with kids.

Messina is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which is very kid-friendly.

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.

Is Messina or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Both Messina and Rijeka are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Messina is a nice destination for couples. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Rijeka makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Messina or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina and Rijeka are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Messina is a good port city to visit for backpackers. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

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

Is Messina or Rijeka Better for Students?

Messina and Rijeka are notable places to visit for students.

Messina is popular with students. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

It's common for students to 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 Messina or Rijeka Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Messina and Rijeka.

You'll find some public transit in Messina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

While Rijeka offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Messina or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Messina 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.

Messina is a very walkable destination. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Messina?

How long in Messina or Rijeka?

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

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

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

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

One day in Messina or Rijeka?

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

In Rijeka, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Messina or Rijeka?

Messina 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.

In Rijeka, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rijeka has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Messina. 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 is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Messina or Rijeka?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rijeka. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rijeka. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

Which is Bigger, Messina or Rijeka?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Messina 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 Messina 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 Messina or Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Rijeka. Many visitors come to Messina in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Messina is generally a little warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 27°C (80°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rijeka this time of the year. In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during summer. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Messina usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Messina or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Messina as well as Rijeka. Most visitors come to Messina for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Messina is a little warmer than Rijeka in the autumn. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Messina often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Messina usually gets more rain in October than Rijeka. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Messina 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.

In the winter, Messina is much warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the winter temperatures in Messina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Rijeka averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during winter. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Messina. In January, Messina usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Messina or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Messina during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Messina is generally a little warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 16°C (60°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Messina. In the spring, Messina often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in April than Rijeka. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Messina