A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Riga vs. Beaune for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Riga or Beaune?

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

Should I visit Riga or Beaune? 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.

Riga

Riga is a off-the-beaten-path, charming, and unique city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beaune

Beaune is a quaint, vineyard-filled, and cultural town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Riga and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Beaune?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Riga than Beaune, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Riga is better known for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Beaune is more popular for its food, historical sights, and small town charm. Beaune is more touristy than Riga and is known for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines. Riga is well known for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. Also, Riga is famous for Riga St. Peter's Church.

How is Riga different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Riga or Beaune?

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Riga and Beaune.

Riga offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As a capital city with a diverse history, you'll find a number of museums and landmarks in the area. Visitors frequently visit The Freedom Monument, St. Peters Church, the Riga Cathedral, The House of the Black Heads, and any of the many museums around town.

Many visitors head to Beaune specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

Is the Food Better in Riga or Beaune? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beaune is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Beaune is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

Riga has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city offers a great opportunity to try many Latvian specialties including rasol (a potato salad), pelmeni (a Latvian dumpling), and karbonade (kind of like schnitzel). The cuisine is hearty and filling with lots of bread, dumpling, and meats. Riga is also where you'll find the largest food market in Europe, which is the perfect place to wander and pick up some local items.

Is Riga or Beaune Better for Nightlife?

Riga is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Riga is a must-see party destination. Despite being a small city, this capital has gained a reputation for its party atmosphere. The historic center comes to life in the evenings, particularly between Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is compact enough that you can walk from club to club and prices are reasonable.

If you're looking for night time activities Beaune has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is Riga or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

Beaune is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The rich history of Beaune can be explored in its historical center. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Riga. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming architecture. The city is less touristy than many places in Europe so you can usually avoid the large crowds and enjoy a peaceful walk. During the evening you'll find the area turns into an entertainment district with many clubs and bars.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Beaune?

Riga is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Riga is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Some of the most interesting shopping in the city is in the old town. Prices might be a little more expensive than you expect but it's possible to find some unique items. The city also has many markets, including the largest food market in Europe, which is a must-see.

Beaune has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Riga or Beaune Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Beaune.

Riga is a family-friendly place to visit. During the winter months, there are a number of museums that are fun to explore with kids including the Nature Museum, the Railroad Museum, the Aviation Technology Museum, and the Riga Firefighter Museum. There are also several indoor play areas. When the weather is warmer there are a number of outdoor parks and playgrounds to explore.

Beaune is a family-friendly city. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is Riga or Beaune Better for Couples?

Beaune is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Beaune makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Riga is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a charming old town that you can explore, taking time to relax in the city squares or sip coffee at a cafe. There are also many nice restaurants that will make for a romantic date night.

Is Riga or Beaune Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is terrific for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Riga. There are many affordable hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can grab a cheap meal. The city offers a great European experience at a fraction of the price of many cities.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

Is Riga or Beaune Better for Students?

Riga is a great destination for students. However, Beaune is not popular with students.

Many students visit Riga. The city's affordability and vibrant atmosphere make it a great spot for international students. There are many places to hang out and a lively nightlife scene that appeals to young travelers.

Beaune is not popular with students.

Is Riga or Beaune Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Riga is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Riga can get you around easily. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

While Beaune offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Riga or Beaune a more walkable city?

Beaune is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Beaune on foot. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

Riga is a very walkable destination. The city is small enough that most areas can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Riga Worth Visiting? and Is Beaune Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaune or Riga?

How long in Riga or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either Riga or Beaune. In our opinion, Riga has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Riga than Beaune. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Riga than Beaune 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 Riga.

One day in Riga or Beaune?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Riga. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Beaune. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Riga or Beaune?

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

Beaune is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Riga or Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Riga. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Beaune. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Riga or Beaune?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the unique destination of Riga. This 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.

The quaint town of Beaune offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Beaune?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Beaune, 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 Beaune?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Riga or Beaune in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Beaune. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Beaune because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Riga is cooler than Beaune in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Beaune fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Beaune. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Riga or Beaune in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Beaune. 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. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Beaune this time of year.

In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Beaune. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Beaune averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Beaune. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Beaune in the Winter?

Both Beaune and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Beaune for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Beaune. It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Beaune. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Beaune. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Riga or Beaune in the Spring?

Both Beaune and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beaune in the spring for the small town charm.

Riga is much colder than Beaune in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Beaune fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in April than Beaune. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Beaune and Riga