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

Should you visit Riga or Tartu?

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

Should I visit Riga or Tartu? 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Tartu

Tartu is a lively, intellectual, and student-oriented university town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife.

Riga and Tartu: Pros and Cons

How is Riga different from Tartu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tartu and Riga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Riga or Tartu Better for Food?

Most foodies will appreciate the restaurant options in Riga a bit more than Tartu.

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.

Tartu may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Riga or Tartu Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are similar in both Riga and Tartu.

Riga is a world class 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.

Tartu has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

Is Riga or Tartu Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the old towns in both Riga and Tartu.

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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Tartu. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

Is Riga or Tartu Better for Shopping?

Riga often provides a better shopping experience than Tartu.

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.

Tartu has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Riga or Tartu Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Tartu.

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.

Tartu is a family-friendly city. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Is Riga or Tartu Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Tartu 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.

Tartu is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Riga or Tartu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Riga and Tartu are popular destinations for backpackers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Tartu. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Riga or Tartu Better for Students?

Riga and Tartu are both good 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.

Students come from all over the world to visit Tartu. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

Is Riga or Tartu Better for Public Transit?

Both Riga and Tartu offer public transit options.

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

Tartu has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Is Riga or Tartu a more walkable city?

Riga and Tartu both are comparable when exploring on foot.

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

Tartu is a very walkable destination. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

Should I spend more time in Tartu or Riga?

How long in Riga or Tartu?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Riga and Tartu. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Riga than Tartu.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Riga is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Tartu is 1-3 days.

One day in Riga or Tartu?

In Riga, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this fun 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 nightlife when visiting the destination of Tartu. 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 Tartu?

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.

Tartu is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Tartu?

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 nightlife around the intellectual destination of Tartu. This university town 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 Tartu?

You'll find food and shopping around the fun 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 intellectual university town of Tartu offers nightlife. 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.

When is the best time to visit Riga or Tartu?

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 Tartu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Tartu. Many visitors come to Riga in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Riga is around the same temperature as Tartu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July are around 17°C (63°F), and Tartu is about 17°C (62°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Tartu. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Tartu in the Autumn?

Both Tartu and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Riga is generally a little warmer than Tartu. Temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Tartu stays around 6°C (43°F).

In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Tartu. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Riga or Tartu in the Winter?

Both Tartu and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Riga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the winter. The weather in Riga can be very cold. Riga is a little warmer than Tartu in the winter. The temperature in Riga is usually -5°C (23°F) in January, and Tartu stays around -7°C (19°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in January than Tartu. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Tartu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Tartu. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. In the spring, Riga is a little warmer than Tartu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April are around 5°C (42°F), and Tartu is about 5°C (41°F).

In April, Riga usually receives more rain than Tartu. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tartu and Riga