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

Should you visit Riga or Graz?

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

Should I visit Riga or Graz? 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 charming, unique, and historical 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.

Graz

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

Riga and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Graz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Riga than Graz. Riga is bigger than Graz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Riga is better known for its nightlife, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Graz is more popular for its historical sights. Graz is more touristy than Riga and is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. 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 Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Graz specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

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

Both Riga and Graz offer a number of high quality 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.

Graz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

Is Riga or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Riga is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Riga is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Graz has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

Is Riga or Graz Better for its Old Town?

Graz 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 Graz can be explored in its historical center. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

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 Graz?

Both Riga and Graz are high quality shopping destinations.

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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Graz. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

Is Riga or Graz Better for Families?

Graz 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.

Graz is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

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 Graz Better for Couples?

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

Graz is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

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 Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Graz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Riga or Graz Better for Students?

Riga and Graz are both high quality destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Graz is very popular with students. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

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

Both Riga and Graz offer high quality public transit options.

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

The public transit in Graz can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Is Riga or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz 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 Graz on foot. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

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 Graz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Graz or Riga?

How long in Riga or Graz?

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

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Riga. 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.

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

Riga is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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.

Graz is a fun place to experience. 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 Graz?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the off-the-beaten-path destination of Riga. This city 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Graz. This city 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 Graz?

The historical city of Riga 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.

The cultural city of Graz 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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Graz, we can see that Graz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Graz?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Graz, 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 Graz?

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 Graz in the Summer?

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

Riga is cooler than Graz in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Graz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Graz. Riga usually gets less rain in July than Graz. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz 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 Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In October, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Graz. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Riga or Graz in the Winter?

Both Graz 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 Graz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Graz can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Graz. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Graz fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Graz. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Graz in the Spring?

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

Riga is much colder than Graz in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Graz. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Graz and Riga