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

Should you visit Ravenna 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 Ravenna 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.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a historic, off-the-beaten-path, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a coastal, accessible, and diverse town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Ravenna and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ravenna or Rijeka?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rijeka. Although Ravenna and Rijeka are roughly the same size, Rijeka has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rijeka is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Ravenna is known for its museums, food, and small town charm. Ravenna is popular for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires. Rijeka is popular for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. It is also home to Trsat Castle.

How is Ravenna different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ravenna 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 Ravenna specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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 Ravenna or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ravenna 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 Ravenna is an experience not to be missed. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

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 Ravenna or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Rijeka has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Ravenna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is Ravenna or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

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

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.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ravenna or Rijeka?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Ravenna and Rijeka.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ravenna. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Many visitors go to Rijeka to go shopping. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Ravenna or Rijeka Better for Families?

Both Ravenna and Rijeka are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Ravenna is very family-friendly. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

Rijeka is known to be 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 Ravenna or Rijeka Better for Couples?

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

Ravenna is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

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 Ravenna or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ravenna and Rijeka are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

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

Is Ravenna or Rijeka Better for Students?

Rijeka is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Ravenna 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.

Ravenna is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Ravenna and Rijeka.

Ravenna has some public transit options. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

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 Ravenna or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Ravenna 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.

Ravenna is a very walkable destination. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Ravenna?

How long in Ravenna or Rijeka?

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

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

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

One day in Ravenna or Rijeka?

Ravenna might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Ravenna or Rijeka?

Ravenna 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 Ravenna or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ravenna. 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 Ravenna or Rijeka?

Ravenna is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between Ravenna and Rijeka, we can see that Rijeka is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ravenna Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ravenna or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Ravenna. When comparing the sizes of Ravenna 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 Ravenna 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 Ravenna or Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ravenna as well as Rijeka. Many travelers come to Ravenna for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Rijeka in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ravenna is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ravenna in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Rijeka averages at about 24°C (75°F).

Ravenna usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Rijeka. Ravenna gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ravenna or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Ravenna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ravenna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Ravenna is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Ravenna average around 14°C (58°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In October, Ravenna usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Ravenna gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ravenna or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Ravenna during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ravenna can be very cold during winter. Ravenna is much colder than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Ravenna averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Ravenna usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Ravenna gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ravenna or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ravenna and Rijeka. The spring months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

In the spring, Ravenna is cooler than Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ravenna in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Ravenna usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Ravenna gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Ravenna