A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Riga vs. Odense for Backpackers, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Riga or Odense?

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

Should I visit Riga or Odense? 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 off-the-beaten-path, charming, and unique 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.

Odense

And you can't forget about the food.

Riga and Odense: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Odense?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Riga than Odense, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Riga is more touristy than Odense and is known for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. It is also home to Riga St. Peter's Church. Odense is popular for

How is Riga different from Odense?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Riga is notable for its sights and museums. However, Odense does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Odense does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Riga is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Odense is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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 Odense. You'll find local restaurants serving local favorites such as smoked salmon. You'll also find burger joints and international options such as sushi.

Is Riga or Odense Better for Nightlife?

Riga is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Riga is a must-see 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.

Odense is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Riga or Odense Better for its Old Town?

Riga is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Odense does not have a historic 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.

Odense does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Odense?

Riga is notable for its shopping areas. However, Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Odense is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Riga or Odense Better for Families?

Odense 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.

Odense is a very kid-friendly city. As the home of Hans Christian Andersen, this town is a child's playhouse. You can visit the H.C. Andersen House, which will bring his fairytale mind to life. The city also has more than 200 playgrounds, an amazing zoo, and the Funen Village, which is an open air museum. There's also a castle to explore and paddle boating on the water.

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 Odense Better for Couples?

Riga is a good destination for couples. However, Odense is a mediocre city for romance.

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.

Odense is not the best destination for a couple to visit. It's a charming city with a lot of green space and paddle boating on the water, but it lacks some of the romance that you find in many European cities.

Is Riga or Odense Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is terrific for backpackers. However, Odense is a mediocre city 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.

Odense is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel or two in town, but most backpackers don't make the time to visit this off-the-beaten-path destination.

Is Riga or Odense Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Riga. 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 Odense. It's a charming and friendly city that makes a fun place to learn and live. There's a fascinating culture and a number of things to do.

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

Riga is notable for its public transit. However, Odense does not have public transit.

The public transit in Riga can get you to most places easily. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

Odense does not have public transit.

Is Riga or Odense a more walkable city?

Riga is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Odense is not a walkable destination.

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

Odense is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Odense or Riga?

How long in Riga or Odense?

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

Couples should spend more time in Riga than Odense. 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 Odense 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 Odense?

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 when visiting the destination of Odense. 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 Odense?

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.

Odense 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 Odense?

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 around the destination of Odense. 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 Odense?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming 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 city of Odense offers 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 The Best 2-Week Tours from Copenhagen, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark.

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Odense?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Odense. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Odense, 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.