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

Should you visit Riga or Zurich?

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

Should I visit Riga or Zurich? 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 high energy, off-the-beaten-path, and charming 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.

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Riga and Zurich: Pros and Cons

How is Riga different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Riga or Zurich Better for Museums and Historical Sights?

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

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 Zurich specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Is Riga or Zurich Better for Food?

Both Riga and Zurich offer a number of unique 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.

Zurich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Is Riga or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are similar in both Riga and Zurich.

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.

Zurich has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Riga or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Zurich has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

Is Riga or Zurich Better for Shopping?

Both Riga and Zurich are good 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 people travel to Zurich specifically to go shopping. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Is Riga or Zurich Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Riga or Zurich.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Zurich. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

Is Riga or Zurich Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Zurich 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.

Zurich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Is Riga or Zurich Better for Students?

Riga and Zurich 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 Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Is Riga or Zurich Better for Public Transit?

Both Riga and Zurich offer public transit options.

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

The public transit in Zurich can get you to most places easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

Is Riga or Zurich a more walkable city?

Riga and Zurich 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.

Zurich is a very walkable destination. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Riga?

How long in Riga or Zurich?

In either Riga or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich than Riga because of the overall number of sights and activities.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Riga is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Zurich is 2-5 days.

One day in Riga or Zurich?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Zurich. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Zurich?

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.

Zurich is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the shopping. 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 Zurich?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Zurich. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Riga or Zurich?

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 beautiful city of Zurich offers shopping and museums. 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 Zurich?

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 Zurich in the Summer?

Both Zurich and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Riga is cooler than Zurich in the summer. The temperature in Riga is usually 17°C (63°F) in July, and Zurich stays around 21°C (70°F).

In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Zurich. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Riga or Zurich in the Autumn?

Both Zurich and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October are around 7°C (45°F), and Zurich is about 13°C (56°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in October than Zurich. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Zurich in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Zurich. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Zurich. Temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Zurich stays around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Zurich. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Riga or Zurich in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Zurich. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.

Riga is much colder than Zurich in the spring. The temperature in Riga is usually 5°C (42°F) in April, and Zurich stays around 12°C (53°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in April than Zurich. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Riga