A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rijeka vs. Ljubljana for Nightlife, Families, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Rijeka or Ljubljana?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Rijeka and Ljubljana can help you decide which place is right for you.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a diverse, slow-paced, and coastal town. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a authentic, historic, and charming capital city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rijeka and Ljubljana: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rijeka or Ljubljana?

You'll generally find more things to do in Ljubljana than Rijeka. Ljubljana is bigger than Rijeka, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Ljubljana is better known for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Rijeka is more popular for its nightlife and beaches. Rijeka is well known for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. Ljubljana is well known for its small town atmosphere in a big city setting that's filled with culture, architecture, and natural beauty. Also, Ljubljana is famous for The Ljubljana Castle.

How is Rijeka different from Ljubljana?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rijeka or Ljubljana?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Rijeka or Ljubljana.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rijeka. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

Ljubljana is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because the city is so compact, it's easy to see the notable landmarks with an easy walk. Famous landmarks include Ljubljana Castle, the Dragon Bridge, and the Franciscan Church.

Is the Food Better in Rijeka or Ljubljana? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Rijeka and Ljubljana.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Rijeka area. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Ljubljana. The city is surrounded by nature, so there's easy access to wild fruits and vegetables. It also has a lot of locally made honey and traditional, family run restaurants. Popular dishes include local sausage, pražen krompir (a potato side dish) and Slovenian style fried chicken.

Is Rijeka or Ljubljana Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka is a great town for nightlife. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Rijeka has something for everybody. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Ljubljana. Given its small size, there are a surprising number of clubs and bars in town. The city has a vibrant energy in the evening, and it's easy to travel from venue to venue on foot.

Is Rijeka or Ljubljana Better for Beaches?

Rijeka is adequate for its beaches. However, Ljubljana is not a beach destination.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Ljubljana is not a beach destination.

Is Rijeka or Ljubljana Better for its Old Town?

Ljubljana is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Ljubljana. The old town is compact with wondering cobblestone streets and historic landmarks. At the heart of the city is Prešernov trg Square, which is where you'll find several notable buildings and nearby Central Market.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rijeka or Ljubljana?

Ljubljana is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Ljubljana. The city has several shopping streets where you can find local and international fashion brands. Many people enjoy shopping for crystal and glass products in the city. Also check out the Central Market which has fresh local food products.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Rijeka or Ljubljana Better for Families?

Rijeka is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. However, Ljubljana is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Rijeka is a very family-friendly destination. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

Ljubljana is not the most family-friendly destination. The city has several good museums including the House of Experiments, which is only open on weekends. There are parks you can explore and it's fun to take the funicular to the castle. You can also take a boat ride which is fun for the whole family.

Is Rijeka or Ljubljana Better for Couples?

Both Rijeka and Ljubljana are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Rijeka is a good town for couples to visit. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Ljubljana is a nice destination for couples. It's one of the more under-rated cities in Europe, but there are a number of romantic activities that you can enjoy here. Explore the old town, wander through the botanical gardens, or take a boat ride along the river. All make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Rijeka or Ljubljana Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ljubljana is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ljubljana is a very popular capital city for backpackers and budget travelers. Although its not as popular as many of the more well known cities, this is an affordable option that is great for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Rijeka. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Rijeka or Ljubljana Better for Students?

Rijeka and Ljubljana are both notable destinations for students and younger travelers.

Rijeka is a good town to visit for students. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

Plenty of students visit Ljubljana. If you're looking for a unique study abroad opportunity, the University of Ljubljana offers an excellent academic experience in a a lively small city with easy access to nature.

Is Rijeka or Ljubljana Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Rijeka and Ljubljana offer notable public transit options.

Rijeka has a few public transit options. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Ljubljana has some public transit options. There is a city bus system.

Is Rijeka or Ljubljana a more walkable city?

Ljubljana is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Ljubljana is a very walkable destination. It is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Rijeka is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Rijeka Worth Visiting? and Is Ljubljana Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ljubljana or Rijeka?

How long in Rijeka or Ljubljana?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rijeka and Ljubljana. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Ljubljana than in Rijeka. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rijeka, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ljubljana.

Families should spend more time in Rijeka than Ljubljana. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rijeka, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ljubljana than Rijeka. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ljubljana that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ljubljana than Rijeka 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 Ljubljana.

One day in Rijeka or Ljubljana?

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Rijeka. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rijeka has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ljubljana. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Rijeka or Ljubljana?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Rijeka. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Ljubljana is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Rijeka or Ljubljana?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse town of Rijeka. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ljubljana. 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.

A week in Rijeka or Ljubljana?

Rijeka is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Ljubljana. This capital 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.

When comparing the travel costs between Rijeka and Ljubljana, we can see that Rijeka 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 Rijeka Expensive? and Is Ljubljana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rijeka or Ljubljana?

Ljubljana has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Rijeka and Ljubljana, 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 Rijeka or Ljubljana?

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 Rijeka or Ljubljana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rijeka as well as Ljubljana. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ljubljana for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rijeka is around the same temperature as Ljubljana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rijeka in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rijeka this time of the year. In the summer, Rijeka often gets more sunshine than Ljubljana. Rijeka gets 288 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 260 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ljubljana. Rijeka usually gets less rain in July than Ljubljana. Rijeka gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rijeka or Ljubljana in the Autumn?

Both Ljubljana and Rijeka are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Ljubljana in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Rijeka is generally a little warmer than Ljubljana. Daily temperatures in Rijeka average around 16°C (60°F), and Ljubljana fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Rijeka usually receives more sunshine than Ljubljana during autumn. Rijeka gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. In October, Rijeka usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Rijeka gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rijeka or Ljubljana in the Winter?

Both Ljubljana and Rijeka during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rijeka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ljubljana for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ljubljana can be very cold during winter. Rijeka is much warmer than Ljubljana in the winter. The daily temperature in Rijeka averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Ljubljana fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Rijeka often gets more sunshine than Ljubljana. Rijeka gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 47 hours of full sun.

Rijeka usually gets less rain in January than Ljubljana. Rijeka gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rijeka or Ljubljana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rijeka and Ljubljana. Most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Ljubljana because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Rijeka is a little warmer than Ljubljana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rijeka in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Rijeka usually receives more sunshine than Ljubljana during spring. Rijeka gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

Ljubljana receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Rijeka usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Rijeka gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ljubljana and Rijeka