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

Should you visit Riga or Giverny?

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

Should I visit Riga or Giverny? 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 unique, historical, and vibrant 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Giverny

Giverny is a peaceful, serene, and inspiring town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Riga and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Giverny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Riga than Giverny, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Riga is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Riga and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. 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 Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Giverny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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

Riga is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Riga has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Riga or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Riga is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Riga has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Riga or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Riga is great for its old town. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Giverny?

Riga is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Riga is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Riga or Giverny Better for Families?

Riga is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Riga offers lots of family activities. 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Riga or Giverny Better for Couples?

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

Giverny is a very popular place to visit for couples. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

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 Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Riga is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Riga or Giverny Better for Students?

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

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.

Giverny is not popular with students.

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

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

Riga has some very good public transit options. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

Giverny has a few public transit options. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Riga or Giverny a more walkable city?

Riga is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Riga?

How long in Riga or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Riga or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Riga than Giverny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Riga, and 1-2 days is enough time in Giverny.

Families should spend more time in Riga than Giverny. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Riga than Giverny. 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 Giverny 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 Giverny?

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

A weekend in Riga or Giverny?

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.

Giverny 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 Giverny?

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 food around the peaceful destination of Giverny. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Riga or Giverny?

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 peaceful town of Giverny offers food and museums. 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 Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Giverny?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 1320 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Giverny. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

Riga is cooler than Giverny in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Giverny. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Giverny in the Autumn?

Both Giverny and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Giverny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Giverny averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Giverny. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Riga or Giverny in the Winter?

Both Giverny and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Giverny in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Giverny can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in January than Giverny. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Giverny in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Giverny. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Riga is much colder than Giverny in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Giverny. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Riga