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

Should you visit Positano or Rijeka?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Positano and Rijeka. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Positano

Positano is a luxurious, charming, and picturesque Mediterranean village. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Rijeka

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

Positano and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Positano or Rijeka?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Positano. Although Positano and Rijeka are popular destinations, Positano has more sights and attractions for tourists. Positano is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Rijeka attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities. Positano is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. It is also well known for The Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Rijeka is famous for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Positano different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rijeka is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rijeka. 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.

Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Positano or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Positano 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.

Positano has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.

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 Positano or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka is great for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.

Is Positano or Rijeka Better for Resorts?

Positano is renowned for its resorts. However, Rijeka is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Positano is a perfect choice. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.

Rijeka is not a resort destination.

Is Positano or Rijeka Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Positano is a moderate Mediterranean village for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rijeka is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.

Rijeka is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Positano or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Positano to enjoy the beach. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.

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 Positano or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Positano is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Positano is one of the most recognized in the world. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is Positano or Rijeka Better for Hiking?

Positano is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Positano is a popular spot for hiking. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.

Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Positano or Rijeka?

Positano is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Positano. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Positano or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village 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.

Positano is a family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.

Is Positano or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Positano is renowned for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Positano has plenty to offer. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon 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 Positano or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Positano and Rijeka are nice places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Positano. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.

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

Is Positano or Rijeka Better for Students?

Rijeka is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Positano is not popular with 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.

Positano is not popular with students.

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

Positano and Rijeka both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Positano offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.

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

Is Positano or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Positano 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 Positano on foot. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Positano?

How long in Positano or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Positano or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Positano than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Positano, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

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

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

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

One day in Positano or Rijeka?

Positano might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Rijeka offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Positano or Rijeka?

Positano 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.

Rijeka is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rijeka, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Positano or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Positano. 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Positano or Rijeka?

Positano is a small town with plenty to do. This Mediterranean village offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Rijeka is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best Coach Bus 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 Positano and Rijeka, we can see that Positano 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano 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 Positano Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Positano or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Positano 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 Positano 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 Positano or Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and Positano during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Positano for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rijeka in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Positano is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Positano averages around 23°C (74°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Rijeka, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Positano. In the summer, Positano often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Positano gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Positano usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Positano 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 Positano or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Positano and Rijeka. Many visitors come to Positano in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

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

Positano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Positano usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Positano 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 Positano or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Positano as well as Rijeka. Most visitors come to Positano for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Positano often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Positano gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Positano receives a lot of rain in the winter. Positano usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. Positano 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 Positano or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Positano are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Positano because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

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

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

In April, Positano usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Positano 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 Positano