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

Should you visit Riga or Montpellier?

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

Should I visit Riga or Montpellier? 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 fun, high energy, and off-the-beaten-path 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Riga and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Montpellier?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Riga than Montpellier, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Riga is more popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Montpellier is known for its beaches and historical sights. Montpellier is more touristy than Riga and is known for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. Riga is popular for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. It is also home to Riga St. Peter's Church.

How is Riga different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Riga and Montpellier.

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 Montpellier specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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

Riga is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Riga is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Riga or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Riga is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Riga is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Riga or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is notable for the beache. However, Riga is not a beach destination.

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Riga is not a beach destination.

Is Riga or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier 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 Montpellier can be explored in its historical center. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

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 Montpellier?

Both Riga and Montpellier are superb 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 Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Riga or Montpellier Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Montpellier.

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.

Montpellier is a family-friendly city. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Riga or Montpellier Better for Couples?

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

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for couples. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

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 Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Riga is a very popular city to visit 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.

Montpellier is very popular with the backpacker crowd. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Is Riga or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Montpellier. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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.

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

Both Riga and Montpellier offer superb public transit options.

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

The public transit in Montpellier can get you to most places easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Riga or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Riga and Montpellier 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.

Montpellier is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Riga?

How long in Riga or Montpellier?

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

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Riga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Montpellier. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Riga or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the high energy destination of Riga. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Montpellier is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Montpellier?

The historical city of Riga offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Montpellier. 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 Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Riga. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The vibrant city of Montpellier 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Montpellier, we can see that Montpellier 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 Montpellier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Riga or Montpellier?

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

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Montpellier. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Riga is cooler than Montpellier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Montpellier averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Riga or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Riga as well as Montpellier. 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 shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

In October, Riga is generally much colder than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

It's quite rainy in Montpellier. Riga usually gets less rain in October than Montpellier. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Montpellier in the Winter?

Both Montpellier and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. Riga is much colder than Montpellier in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Riga or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier and Riga during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Riga is much colder than Montpellier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Montpellier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in April than Montpellier. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Riga