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

Should you visit Riga or Manchester?

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

Should I visit Riga or Manchester? 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.

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Riga and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Manchester?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Manchester than Riga. While Riga is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is very popular for its music and big city activities, while Riga attracts visitors for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Manchester is more touristy than Riga and is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum. Riga is famous for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture.

How is Riga different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Riga and Manchester.

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 Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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

Both Riga and Manchester 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.

Manchester has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Riga or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Riga is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester 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.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Riga or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is notable for its live music scene. However, Riga is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Riga is not a live music destination.

Is Riga or Manchester Better for its Old Town?

Riga is great for its historic old town. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Manchester?

Both Riga and Manchester are great 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 Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Riga or Manchester Better for Families?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United 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 Manchester Better for Couples?

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

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Riga or Manchester Better for Students?

Riga and Manchester are both great 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.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Both Riga and Manchester offer great public transit options.

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

The public transit in Manchester can get you to most places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Riga or Manchester a more walkable city?

Riga is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Riga?

How long in Riga or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Riga or Manchester. In our opinion, Riga has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Riga than Manchester. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Riga, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Manchester is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Manchester?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Riga, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Manchester 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 Manchester?

Riga, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant big city of Manchester. 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 Manchester?

Riga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The cultural city of Manchester offers shopping 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Manchester?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Manchester. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Riga is generally around the same temperature as Manchester. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Manchester. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Manchester in the Autumn?

Both Manchester and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Riga is cooler than Manchester in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Manchester. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Riga or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Riga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can be very cold during winter. Riga can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Manchester. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Manchester averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in January than Manchester. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Manchester in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Manchester. Most visitors come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city.

In April, Riga is generally cooler than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Manchester. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Riga