A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Riga vs. Aveiro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Riga or Aveiro?

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

Should I visit Riga or Aveiro? 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.

Where Should I go: Riga or Aveiro?

Riga

Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.

Aveiro

Aveiro has great canals that are lined by houses. Because of this ambiance, the town has earned its nickname the "Portuguese Venice." While it's similar, don't put too much into the name. The town is also known for it's colorful boats, referred to as moliceiros, that ride along the canals and under the bridges.

While the canals are lovely, most visitors actually come for the beaches. Aveiro's beaches are known for their clean and pristine sand. The shore is referred to as the Silver Coast, and has comfortably warm water, which is another major draw to the area.

Aveiro is comfortable year around because it's winters are mild and warm and its summer is somewhat cool. The winter months get the most rain and the summer is usually the driest. If you're there during the fall and winter, the winds will be strong making it the best time for surfing, sailing, and other water sports.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Aveiro or Riga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €122, while the average daily cost in Aveiro is €100. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Aveiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Riga 52
    Aveiro 46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Riga 104
    Aveiro 92
Compare Hotels in Riga and Aveiro

Looking for a hotel in Riga or Aveiro? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Riga


Hotels in Aveiro


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Riga Hotel Prices and Aveiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Riga 9.63
    Aveiro 8.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:

  • From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $563
  • From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $503
  • From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $468
  • Private Transfer from Riga to Baltics: $262
  • 4x4 Off-Road Adventure with Hotel Transfers: $258
  • Riga Limo Airport Transfer: $174
  • From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $164
  • Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $163
  • Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $134
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minibus: $122
  • Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $87
  • Riga City to Riga Airport (RIX) - Private Transfer.: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Aveiro?

Prices for flights to both Aveiro and Riga change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Riga 57
    Aveiro 48
Typical Food Prices in Riga

Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:


  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.77

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.

  • Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
  • Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
  • Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
  • Riga Medieval Dinner: $127
  • Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
  • Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $245
  • Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Riga 14
    Aveiro 8.57

Tours and Activities in Riga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town: $87
  • 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $88
  • ATV Quad guided off road tour: $198
  • Aeroplane Flight Experience: $79
  • Aeroplane Flight Experience: $80
  • Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
  • Bachelorette Party Adventure's Organization: $46
  • Best of Riga Private Walking Tour: $477
  • Bobsleigh - Truly Unique Winter Adventure!: $169
  • City tour for beginners in Riga: $64
  • Compact Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle Private Tour: $220
  • Deluxe Riga Tour from Cruise Port: $52

Tours and Activities in Aveiro

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Aveiro.

  • From Coimbra: Tour to Aveiro, Costa Nova beach and Moliceiro boat: $122
  • From Coimbra: Tour to Aveiro, Costa Nova beach, and Moliceiro boat ride: $140
  • From Coimbra: Tour to Aveiro, Costa Nova beach, and Moliceiro boat ride: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Riga 20
    Aveiro 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Riga

Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $21
  • Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
  • Riga Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience: $37
  • Riga Pub Crawl: $41
  • Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
  • Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
  • Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
  • Latvian Brewery Visit and Beer Tasting: $52
  • Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
  • Riga Brewery Tour: $75
  • Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
  • Shooting Range and Old Town Pub Crawl: $106


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Aveiro, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Aveiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aveiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aveiro 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 Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga than you might in Aveiro.

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


Which is Bigger, Riga or Aveiro?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aveiro. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Aveiro, 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 Riga or Aveiro?

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 Riga or Aveiro in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Aveiro. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Riga is cooler than Aveiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Aveiro averages at about 21°C (69°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Aveiro. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Aveiro receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Riga 17°C (63°F) 
    Aveiro 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Riga or Aveiro in the Autumn?

Both Aveiro and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Riga because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Riga is generally much colder than Aveiro. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Aveiro fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Aveiro. In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Aveiro. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Aveiro receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Riga 7°C (45°F) 
    Aveiro 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Riga or Aveiro in the Winter?

Both Aveiro and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year.

It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. Riga is much colder than Aveiro in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Aveiro fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Aveiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Riga usually gets less rain in January than Aveiro. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Aveiro receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Riga -5°C (23°F) 
    Aveiro 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Riga or Aveiro in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Aveiro. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Riga is much colder than Aveiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Aveiro averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Aveiro receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Aveiro. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Aveiro receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Riga 5°C (42°F) 
    Aveiro 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Aveiro and Riga

Riga Aveiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)