A Travel Price Comparison for Croatia Rijeka vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a world-famous, spectacular, and scenic national park. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include hiking.

Rijeka and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Rijeka than Plitvice Lakes National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Rijeka is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Plitvice Lakes National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. Rijeka is well known for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. Also, Rijeka is famous for Trsat Castle.

How is Rijeka different from Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Rijeka is very good for its historical sights. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Rijeka is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rijeka is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka is great for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Rijeka for the nightlife scene. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Beaches?

Rijeka is adequate for its beaches. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a popular spot for hiking. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Rijeka is very good for shopping. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Rijeka is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very family-friendly destination. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Is Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a well-known place for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular national park for backpackers and budget travelers. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Students?

Rijeka is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Rijeka. 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.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not popular with students.

Is Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rijeka is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Rijeka offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

Is Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Plitvice Lakes National Park on foot. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Rijeka?

How long in Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park to fill your time. In our opinion, Rijeka has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Rijeka than Plitvice Lakes National Park. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Rijeka than Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rijeka than Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Rijeka.

One day in Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

In Rijeka, you'll find food and shopping. It offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Rijeka is a fun place to experience. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Rijeka. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Plitvice Lakes National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The accessible town of Rijeka offers nightlife and food. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the scenic destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Sightseeing Tours in Croatia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rijeka and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Plitvice Lakes National Park is more expensive. And not only is Rijeka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rijeka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rijeka 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 Plitvice Lakes National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Plitvice Lakes National Park than you might in Rijeka.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rijeka Expensive? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rijeka as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. The summer months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Plitvice Lakes National Park. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rijeka this time of the year. In the summer, Rijeka often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Rijeka gets 288 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun.

Rijeka usually gets less rain in July than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Rijeka gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Rijeka are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Rijeka is generally a little warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Rijeka average around 16°C (60°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Rijeka usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during autumn. Rijeka gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rijeka usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Rijeka gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Rijeka during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter for the cuisine.

Plitvice Lakes National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Rijeka is much warmer than Plitvice Lakes National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Rijeka averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Rijeka often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Rijeka gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun.

Rijeka usually gets more rain in January than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Rijeka gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rijeka or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rijeka and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many visitors come to Rijeka in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Rijeka is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rijeka in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Rijeka usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during spring. Rijeka gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rijeka usually receives more rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Rijeka gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Rijeka