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

Should you visit Riga or Hannover?

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

Should I visit Riga or Hannover? 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 historical, vibrant, and fun 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. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Hannover

Hannover is a vibrant, cultural, and dynamic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Riga and Hannover: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Hannover?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Riga than Hannover. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Hannover is more touristy than Riga and is popular for its many parks and gardens as well as its accessibility to the German train system. 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 Hannover?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Riga. 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.

Hannover offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll see many of the city's sights along the Red Thread Trail in the city center. Make sure you check out the New Town Hall, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, and the Lower Saxony State Museum as well.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Hannover. You'll find classic tearooms, food halls, fine dining restaurants, and markets. Try all of the classic German sausages or sample international dishes in this dynamic city.

Is Riga or Hannover Better for Nightlife?

Riga is very popular for nightlife. Also, Hannover is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Riga is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Hannover offers plenty to do in the evening. There are many students who keep the nightlife scene active. From beer halls to jazz venues, you'll find a diversity of options around town.

Is Riga or Hannover Better for its Old Town?

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

There are many historical things to see 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 people head to Hannover to see the old town. Check out the half-timbered buildings, the old churches, and the charming streets around old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Hannover?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Hannover offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the 14th-century Market Church (Marktkirche) and wander around the nearby streets for some of the city's best shopping. Also make sure you check out the city flea market. In addition to boutiques and independent shops, there are also major department stores and large shopping malls in the area.

Is Riga or Hannover Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Hannover.

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.

Hannover is a family-friendly city. Like many German cities, there are a number of activities geared specifically to kids. Check out the Sea Life Center or the Hannover Zoo. If you're willing to get out of town a bit, there's also Serengeti Park Hodenhagen or Rasti-Land theme park, which has rides and games.

Is Riga or Hannover Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Hannover make for a nice 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.

Hannover is a good city for couples to visit. Romantic settings around town include Herrenhäuser Gärten, Berggarten, and Maschpark.

Is Riga or Hannover Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers frequent Riga. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Hannover. Some people use the city to split up longer train trips. There are a couple of hostels in town if you decide to stay a night or two.

Is Riga or Hannover Better for Students?

Riga and Hannover are both superb 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.

Hannover is very popular with students. There are a few great universities in town including Leibniz University, which attract international students. There's also a nice nightlife and easy accessibility to the rest of Germany.

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

Both Riga and Hannover offer superb public transit options.

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

The public transit in Hannover can get you to most places easily. The city has 12 city trains and 38 bus lines.

Is Riga or Hannover a more walkable city?

Riga and Hannover both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Hannover is a very walkable destination. There are some nice walkable parts to the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Hannover or Riga?

How long in Riga or Hannover?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Riga or Hannover to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Riga than Hannover 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 Hannover.

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

The beautiful city of Riga offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Riga or Hannover?

Riga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Riga, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Hannover 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 Hannover?

Riga is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days 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 entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Hannover. 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 Hannover?

Riga is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

The dynamic city of Hannover 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Germany, and The Best Oktoberfest Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Hannover?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Hannover. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Hannover, 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 Hannover?

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 Hannover in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Hannover. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Hannover because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Hannover. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Hannover fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Hannover. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 62 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Hannover in the Autumn?

Both Hannover and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Riga because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Hannover this time of year.

Riga is cooler than Hannover in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Hannover fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Hannover. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Riga or Hannover in the Winter?

Both Hannover and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hannover for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hannover. It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Hannover. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Hannover averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in January than Hannover. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Hannover in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Hannover. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hannover in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Riga is generally much colder than Hannover. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Hannover fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Hannover. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Hannover receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hannover and Riga