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

Should you visit Riga or Gjovik?

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

Should I visit Riga or Gjovik? 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 vibrant, fun, and high energy 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Gjovik

Gjovik is a friendly, relaxed, and accessible town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Riga and Gjovik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Gjovik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Riga. Although Riga and Gjovik are both popular with visitors, Riga has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Riga is popular for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. It is also home to Riga St. Peter's Church. Gjovik is popular for its beautiful surrounding countryside and nice landscape.

How is Riga different from Gjovik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Riga is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Gjovik is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of sights and attractions near town such as the Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall and the Royal Palace.

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

Both Riga and Gjovik 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.

Gjovik has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find many local restaurants that range from fine dining opportunities to local cafes. Dishes usually include local ingredients that are fresh and high quality.

Is Riga or Gjovik Better for Nightlife?

Riga is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

People head to Riga just to party. 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.

Gjovik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find some bars and pubs around town as well as a couple of nightclubs.

Is Riga or Gjovik Better for its Old Town?

Riga is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Gjovik does not have a 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.

Gjovik does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Gjovik?

Riga is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Gjovik is a great destination for shopping. The town center has some nice retail shops with clothing and other interesting items.

Is Riga or Gjovik Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Gjovik.

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.

Gjovik is a family-friendly city. You'll find a combination of museums and outdoor adventure activities. There are climbing parks, Olympic centers, and art galleries that the whole family can enjoy.

Is Riga or Gjovik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Gjovik make for a good place to visit.

Riga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Gjovik is a good city for couples to visit. You'll find romantic hotels and many great museums or outdoor parks that couples will appreciate.

Is Riga or Gjovik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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 Gjovik. There's at least one hostel around town, and many fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Riga or Gjovik Better for Students?

Riga is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Gjovik is popular with students. The location offers access to much of what Norway has to offer, making it a nice place to base yourself while you're studying.

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

Riga is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Riga offers a very effecient public transportation network. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

You'll find some public transit in Gjovik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel through town.

Is Riga or Gjovik a more walkable city?

Riga is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Gjovik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Gjovik is somewhat walkable. There are some pedestrian-friendly areas as well as walking paths just outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Gjovik or Riga?

How long in Riga or Gjovik?

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

Families should spend more time in Riga than Gjovik. 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 Gjovik. 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 Gjovik 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 Gjovik?

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 Gjovik. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Riga or Gjovik?

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.

Gjovik 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 Gjovik?

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 relaxed destination of Gjovik. 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 Gjovik?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy 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 relaxed town of Gjovik 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Norway, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Gjovik, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Gjovik much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gjovik would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gjovik 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 Gjovik.

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Gjovik?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Gjovik. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Gjovik, 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 Gjovik?

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 Gjovik in the Summer?

Both Gjovik and Riga during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Gjovik for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Riga is around the same temperature as Gjovik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Gjovik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Gjovik. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Gjovik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Gjovik. Many travelers come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Gjovik in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Gjovik. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Gjovik fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Gjovik. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Riga or Gjovik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Riga as well as Gjovik. Many visitors come to Riga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Gjovik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Gjovik can be very cold during winter. Riga can get quite cold in the winter. Riga is cooler than Gjovik in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Gjovik fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in January than Gjovik. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Gjovik in the Spring?

Both Gjovik and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Riga is around the same temperature as Gjovik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Gjovik averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In April, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gjovik. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gjovik receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Gjovik and Riga