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

Should you visit Riga or Kaunas?

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

Should I visit Riga or Kaunas? 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. 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a young, vibrant, and cultural 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 and food.

Riga and Kaunas: Pros and Cons

How is Riga different from Kaunas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kaunas and Riga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Both Riga and Kaunas offer a number of unique 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.

Kaunas is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

Is Riga or Kaunas Better for Nightlife?

With more options to choose from, you'll find a more vibrant nightlife in Riga.

Riga is a world class 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 Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

Is Riga or Kaunas Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the old towns in both Riga and Kaunas.

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.

Kaunas has an old town worth visiting. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Kaunas?

Riga often provides a better shopping experience than Kaunas.

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.

Kaunas has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Riga or Kaunas Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Kaunas.

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.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Riga or Kaunas Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Kaunas 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.

Kaunas is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Riga or Kaunas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

While Kaunas and Riga are both good for backpackers, overall Riga is more popular.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit 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 backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Is Riga or Kaunas Better for Students?

Riga and Kaunas are both good 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.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

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

Both Riga and Kaunas offer public transit options.

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

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Riga or Kaunas a more walkable city?

Riga and Kaunas both are comparable when exploring on foot.

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

Kaunas is a somewhat walkable city. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

Should I spend more time in Kaunas or Riga?

How long in Riga or Kaunas?

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

The ideal length of time for a trip to Riga is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Kaunas is 1-2 days.

One day in Riga or Kaunas?

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 nightlife when visiting the destination of Kaunas. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Riga or Kaunas?

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.

Kaunas 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 Kaunas?

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 food and nightlife around the active destination of Kaunas. 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 Kaunas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant 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 active city of Kaunas 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.

When is the best time to visit Riga or Kaunas?

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 Kaunas in the Summer?

Both Kaunas and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In July, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kaunas. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Riga or Kaunas in the Autumn?

Both Kaunas and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Kaunas this time of year.

In October, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Kaunas. Temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Kaunas stays around 8°C (46°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in October than Kaunas. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Kaunas in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Kaunas. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. Riga is around the same temperature as Kaunas in the winter. The temperature in Riga is usually -5°C (23°F) in January, and Kaunas stays around -5°C (23°F).

In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Kaunas. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Riga or Kaunas in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Kaunas. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Kaunas in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Riga is cooler than Kaunas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April are around 5°C (42°F), and Kaunas is about 7°C (44°F).

Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kaunas. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kaunas receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kaunas and Riga