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

Should you visit Riga or Stuttgart?

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

Should I visit Riga or Stuttgart? 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 unique, historical, and vibrant 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a dynamic, modern, and authentic 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Riga and Stuttgart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Stuttgart?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Riga than Stuttgart, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Riga is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Stuttgart is known for its big city activities. Riga is popular for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. It is also home to Riga St. Peter's Church. Stuttgart is popular for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.

How is Riga different from Stuttgart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Riga is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Stuttgart is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

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

Both Riga and Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

Is Riga or Stuttgart Better for Nightlife?

Riga is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Riga has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Stuttgart is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

Is Riga or Stuttgart Better for its Old Town?

Riga is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

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.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Stuttgart?

Both Riga and Stuttgart are high quality 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 Stuttgart. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

Is Riga or Stuttgart Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Stuttgart.

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.

Stuttgart is a family-friendly city. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

Is Riga or Stuttgart Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart is a good city for couples to visit. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Riga or Stuttgart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Riga, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

Stuttgart is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Is Riga or Stuttgart Better for Students?

Riga and Stuttgart are both high quality 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.

Stuttgart is very popular with students. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

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

Both Riga and Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart can get you to most places easily. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

Is Riga or Stuttgart a more walkable city?

Riga is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Stuttgart or Riga?

How long in Riga or Stuttgart?

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

Families should spend more time in Riga than Stuttgart. 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.

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Riga. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Riga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the unique city of Riga. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the modern big city of Stuttgart. 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 Stuttgart?

Riga is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The authentic city of Stuttgart 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Stuttgart?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Stuttgart. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Stuttgart, 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 Stuttgart?

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 Stuttgart in the Summer?

Both Stuttgart and Riga during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year.

In the summer, Riga is cooler than Stuttgart. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 22°C (71°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Stuttgart. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Stuttgart in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Stuttgart. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Riga is generally much colder than Stuttgart. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Stuttgart fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Stuttgart. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Riga or Stuttgart in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Riga as well as Stuttgart. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Stuttgart in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Stuttgart can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. Riga is much colder than Stuttgart in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Stuttgart fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in January than Stuttgart. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Stuttgart in the Spring?

Both Stuttgart and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Riga is much colder than Stuttgart. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Stuttgart. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Stuttgart and Riga