A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Riga vs. Bregenz for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Riga or Bregenz?

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

Should I visit Riga or Bregenz? 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bregenz

Bregenz is a cultural, historic, and medieval city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Riga and Bregenz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Bregenz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Riga. Although Riga and Bregenz are both popular with visitors, Riga has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bregenz is more touristy than Riga and is popular for its lakefront setting, its rich culture, and its fun-filled festivals. Riga is popular for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. It is also home to Riga St. Peter's Church.

How is Riga different from Bregenz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bregenz 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 Bregenz?

Riga is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Bregenz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Riga specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Bregenz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The sights are split between the Lower Town and the Upper Town. There's a long history with many historic buildings and museums that you can explore.

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

Both Riga and Bregenz offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Riga. 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.

Bregenz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find many restaurants around town that serve local dishes. Popular options include fish dishes, roasted venison, and baked rabbit. The food is hearty and often served with filling sauces. Cheese platters are also popular.

Is Riga or Bregenz Better for Nightlife?

Riga is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Bregenz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bregenz. You'll find bars and clubs around town as well as a lively beach bar by the lake.

Is Riga or Bregenz Better for its Old Town?

Riga is a great city for its historic old town charm. Also, Bregenz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

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.

Many visitors go to Bregenz to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with medieval buildings that each have a fascinating and sometimes dark story to tell.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Bregenz?

Riga is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Bregenz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Riga. 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.

Bregenz is a great destination for shopping. A mix of international brands and local shops make shopping a fun and diverse experience. Wandering the streets and popping in the selection of retail stores is a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Is Riga or Bregenz Better for Families?

Bregenz is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Bregenz is a very kid-friendly city. Its location on Lake Constance means that there are a wide range of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. There are also a number of kid-friendly museums, zoos, and other places that will inspire young minds.

Riga is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Riga or Bregenz Better for Couples?

Bregenz is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Bregenz is a very popular place to visit for couples. The lakefront setting offers a romantic atmosphere for couples. There's a lakefront promenade that you can stroll down as well as several great museums and some interesting historical sights.

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 Bregenz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bregenz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Riga, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bregenz. There are a few hostels around town that make this an easy stop off for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Riga or Bregenz Better for Students?

Riga is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Bregenz is not popular with students.

Riga is very popular with students. 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.

Bregenz is not popular with students.

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

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

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

Bregenz has a few public transit options. There are five bus lines that run around town.

Is Riga or Bregenz a more walkable city?

Riga is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Bregenz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Bregenz is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bregenz or Riga?

How long in Riga or Bregenz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Riga and Bregenz. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Riga than in Bregenz. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Riga, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bregenz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Riga than Bregenz 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 Bregenz?

In Riga, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bregenz. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Riga or Bregenz?

In Riga, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Riga has to offer.

Bregenz is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 Bregenz?

Riga is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Bregenz. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Riga or Bregenz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Riga. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Riga. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The vibrant city of Bregenz offers nightlife and food. 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 Music Tours in Austria, and The Best Budget Tours to Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Bregenz, we can see that Bregenz 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 Bregenz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bregenz 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 Bregenz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Riga or Bregenz?

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