A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint-Etienne vs. Rijeka for Nightlife, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Rijeka. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a diverse, slow-paced, and coastal town. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rijeka than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Rijeka, Rijeka has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rijeka is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Rijeka is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. It is also home to Trsat Castle. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Saint-Etienne and Rijeka.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

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.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rijeka is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Rijeka has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Rijeka is adequate for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Rijeka. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rijeka Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

Rijeka is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Rijeka is very family-friendly. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Rijeka is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Rijeka makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rijeka is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rijeka Better for Students?

Rijeka is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne and Rijeka both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

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

Is Saint-Etienne or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Saint-Etienne and Rijeka are good when it comes to walkability.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Rijeka Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rijeka than Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Rijeka. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

Saint-Etienne 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rijeka. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the slow-paced destination of Rijeka. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Saint-Etienne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Rijeka. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Rijeka, 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 Saint-Etienne or Rijeka?

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 Saint-Etienne or Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rijeka in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Rijeka averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Rijeka, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Rijeka. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Rijeka. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne is cooler than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Saint-Etienne