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

Should you visit Nafplio or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Nafplio 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.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a picturesque, romantic, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a coastal, accessible, and diverse town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Rijeka?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rijeka. Although Nafplio and Rijeka are popular destinations, Rijeka has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rijeka is very popular for its big city activities, while Nafplio attracts visitors for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Nafplio is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Rijeka is famous for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. It is also well known for Trsat Castle.

How is Nafplio different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nafplio 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 Nafplio specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore 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 Nafplio or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio is an experience not to be missed. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

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 Nafplio or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Both Nafplio and Rijeka have great vibes after the sun sets.

Nafplio has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

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 Nafplio or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Nafplio is very good for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

Many people head to Nafplio to enjoy the beach. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

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 Nafplio or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Nafplio. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Rijeka?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Nafplio and Rijeka.

Nafplio has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Rijeka is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Nafplio or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rijeka. 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 Nafplio. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

Is Nafplio or Rijeka Better for Couples?

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

Nafplio is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

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 Nafplio or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Rijeka are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nafplio. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

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

Is Nafplio or Rijeka Better for Students?

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

Nafplio is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Nafplio and Rijeka.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

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 Nafplio or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio on foot. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Rijeka?

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

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

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

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

One day in Nafplio or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nafplio. 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.

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 Nafplio or Rijeka?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nafplio. 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.

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 Nafplio or Rijeka?

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

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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to 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 Nafplio and Rijeka, we can see that Nafplio 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 Nafplio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nafplio 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 Nafplio Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio 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 Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Rijeka in the Summer?

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

Nafplio is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 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 Nafplio this time of the year. In the summer, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nafplio for 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 the autumn, Nafplio is a little warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nafplio in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Nafplio. In October, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nafplio or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Nafplio during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nafplio 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.

In January, Nafplio is generally much warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 10°C (51°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Rijeka in the Spring?

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

Nafplio is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Nafplio