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

Should you visit Riga or Rouen?

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

Should I visit Riga or Rouen? 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 vibrant, fun, and high energy city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Riga and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Rouen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Riga than Rouen. Riga is bigger than Rouen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rouen is more touristy than Riga and is known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Riga is well known for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. Also, Riga is famous for Riga St. Peter's Church.

How is Riga different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Riga is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Both Riga and Rouen offer a number of high quality 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.

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Riga or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Riga is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Riga just to party. 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 Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Riga or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Riga is notable for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Rouen?

Riga is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Riga or Rouen Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Rouen.

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.

Rouen is a family-friendly city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Riga or Rouen Better for Couples?

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

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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 Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is a world-class destination for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Riga or Rouen Better for Students?

Riga is notable for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Both Riga and Rouen offer high quality public transit options.

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

The public transit in Rouen can get you to most places easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

Is Riga or Rouen a more walkable city?

Riga and Rouen both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Rouen is a very walkable destination. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Riga?

How long in Riga or Rouen?

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

Families should spend more time in Riga than Rouen. 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.

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

In Riga, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this off-the-beaten-path destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Riga or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Riga. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Rouen 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 Rouen?

Riga is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Riga. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Rouen. 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 Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the unique destination of Riga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The historical city of Rouen 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 The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Rouen?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

Riga is around the same temperature as Rouen in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Rouen. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Riga or Rouen in the Autumn?

Both Rouen and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in October than Rouen. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Rouen. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Rouen. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Riga or Rouen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Rouen. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

Riga is much colder than Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in April than Rouen. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Riga