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

Should you visit Porto 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 Porto and Rijeka can help you decide which place is right for you.

Porto

Porto is a historic, cultural, and cosmopolitan port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a diverse, slow-paced, and coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Porto and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Rijeka?

You'll generally find more things to do in Porto than Rijeka. Porto is bigger than Rijeka, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Porto is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Rijeka is more popular for its beaches. Porto is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira. Rijeka is well known for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Porto different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Porto 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 Porto specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

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 Porto or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Porto has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

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 Porto or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find very good options in both Porto and Rijeka.

The nightlife in Porto has something for everybody. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Rijeka offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Porto or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Rijeka is adequate for its beaches. However, Porto is not a beach destination.

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.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Porto or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Porto 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 Porto. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Rijeka?

If you're looking to go shopping, Porto and Rijeka both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Porto. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Rijeka offers some nice shopping areas. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Porto or Rijeka Better for Families?

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

Porto is a very family-friendly destination. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

Rijeka is a very kid-friendly port city. 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 Porto or Rijeka Better for Couples?

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

Porto is a very popular place to visit for couples. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

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 Porto or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is renowned for backpackers. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Porto is a very popular port city to visit for backpackers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

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

Is Porto or Rijeka Better for Students?

Porto is a well-known place for students. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Porto is very popular with students. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

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.

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

Porto 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 Porto. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

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

Is Porto or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Porto 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.

Porto is a very walkable destination. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Porto?

How long in Porto or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Porto or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Porto than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Porto, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

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

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

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

One day in Porto or Rijeka?

Porto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this coastal destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Porto or Rijeka?

Porto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rijeka. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Porto or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Porto. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Rijeka is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Rijeka. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Porto or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic big city of Porto. This port 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the accessible destination of Rijeka. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, 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 Porto and Rijeka, we can see that Porto 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto 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 Porto Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Porto or Rijeka?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Porto 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 Porto 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 Porto or Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and Porto during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Porto because of the city activities and 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.

In July, Porto is generally cooler than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Rijeka, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the summer, Porto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Porto usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Rijeka. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Porto is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Porto usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Porto usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Porto or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Porto as well as Rijeka. Many travelers come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Porto is much warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Rijeka averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Porto often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. Porto usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Porto in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In April, Porto usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Porto