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

Should you visit Riga or Dijon?

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

Should I visit Riga or Dijon? 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dijon

Dijon is a relaxing, historical, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Riga and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Dijon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Riga than Dijon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Riga is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Dijon attracts visitors for its food. Dijon is more touristy than Riga and is known for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. Riga is famous for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. It is also well known for Riga St. Peter's Church.

How is Riga different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Riga and Dijon.

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 Dijon specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

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

Dijon 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, Dijon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

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 Dijon Better for Nightlife?

Riga is terrific for nightlife. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Dijon. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is Riga or Dijon Better for its Old Town?

Riga is notable for its historic old town. However, Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Dijon?

Riga is notable for shopping. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Riga is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dijon. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is Riga or Dijon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Dijon.

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.

Dijon is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Riga or Dijon Better for Couples?

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

Dijon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

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 Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is terrific for backpackers. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Riga is a mecca for backpackers and 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.

Dijon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Is Riga or Dijon Better for Students?

Riga is notable for students. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Riga is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Plenty of students visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

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

Riga is notable for its public transit. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Riga can move around easily with public transportation. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

Dijon has some public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Riga or Dijon a more walkable city?

Riga is notable for its walkability. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Riga?

How long in Riga or Dijon?

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

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

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

In Riga, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Dijon. 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 Dijon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Riga. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Dijon is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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 Dijon?

Riga is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Riga. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Dijon. 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 Dijon?

You'll find food and shopping around the unique destination of Riga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The cultural city of Dijon 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 Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Dijon?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dijon. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Dijon, 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 Dijon?

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 Dijon in the Summer?

Both Dijon and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dijon this time of year.

In July, Riga is generally cooler than Dijon. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

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

Should I visit Riga or Dijon in the Autumn?

Both Dijon and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dijon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Riga is much colder than Dijon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Dijon fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

Should I visit Riga or Dijon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Dijon. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dijon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dijon can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Dijon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Dijon averages at about 3°C (38°F).

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

Should I visit Riga or Dijon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Dijon. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Dijon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Riga is generally much colder than Dijon. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

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

Typical Weather for Dijon and Riga