A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Rijeka for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rijeka? 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.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Rijeka?

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.

Rijeka

Rijeka is the main seaport city of Croatia. It is located in Kvarner on the Kvarner Bay, which is an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. There are over 100,000 residents, making it Croatia's third largest city. The city's economy is heavily dependent on shipbuilding and maritime transport. There is also the University of Rijeka, which was founded in 1973 with roots dating back to 1632.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Rijeka?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg 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 Petersburg or Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Rijeka. Additionally, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Rijeka averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rijeka. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Rijeka. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rijeka in the Winter?

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

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Rijeka. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Rijeka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Rijeka averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Saint Petersburg