A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pompeii vs. Rijeka for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Pompeii or Rijeka?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pompeii and Rijeka can help you decide which place is right for you.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a ancient, famous, and iconic archeological site. Other popular activities here include museums.

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.

Pompeii and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pompeii or Rijeka?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rijeka. Although Pompeii and Rijeka are popular destinations, Rijeka has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rijeka is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Pompeii attracts visitors for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. 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 Pompeii different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Pompeii is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Pompeii on the map. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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 Pompeii or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rijeka is very good for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Rijeka is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Pompeii or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Rijeka has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Pompeii or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Rijeka is a decent place to visit for the beach. However, Pompeii is not a beach destination.

The beach in Rijeka is worth checking out. 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.

Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pompeii or Rijeka?

Rijeka is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Rijeka has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Pompeii or Rijeka Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Pompeii or Rijeka.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Pompeii. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Rijeka is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Pompeii or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Both Pompeii and Rijeka are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Pompeii is a good archeological site for couples to visit. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

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 Pompeii or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pompeii and Rijeka are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Pompeii is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

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

Is Pompeii or Rijeka Better for Students?

Both Pompeii and Rijeka are nice destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Pompeii. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Rijeka is popular with students. 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 Pompeii or Rijeka Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

Pompeii has some public transit options. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

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 Pompeii or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Pompeii?

How long in Pompeii or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pompeii or Rijeka to fill your time. In our opinion, Rijeka has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rijeka than Pompeii. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rijeka than Pompeii 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 Rijeka.

One day in Pompeii or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Pompeii or Rijeka?

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Pompeii or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pompeii. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Pompeii or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the iconic destination of Pompeii. This archeological site 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours 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 Pompeii and Rijeka, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii 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 Pompeii Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

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

The summer brings many poeple to Pompeii as well as Rijeka. The summer months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

Pompeii is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Pompeii averages around 23°C (74°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 Pompeii this time of the year. In the summer, Pompeii often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Pompeii gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Pompeii usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Pompeii gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pompeii or Rijeka in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Pompeii is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pompeii in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Pompeii usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Pompeii gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. In October, Pompeii usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Pompeii gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pompeii or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Pompeii during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rijeka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Pompeii is generally much warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Pompeii average around 8°C (47°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Pompeii often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Pompeii gets 115 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 Pompeii. Pompeii usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. Pompeii gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pompeii or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pompeii and Rijeka. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Pompeii is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in Pompeii averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Pompeii usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during spring. Pompeii gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pompeii usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Pompeii gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Pompeii