A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Remo vs. Rijeka for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit San Remo or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit San Remo 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.

San Remo

San Remo is a beautiful, scenic, and authentic coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a coastal, accessible, and diverse town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

San Remo and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Remo or Rijeka?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rijeka than San Remo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rijeka is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities, while San Remo attracts visitors for its food, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. San Remo is famous for its olives, lemons, and flower market. Rijeka is famous for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. It is also well known for Trsat Castle.

How is San Remo different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Remo or Rijeka?

Rijeka is a popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

San Remo is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in San Remo is an experience not to be missed. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

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.

Is San Remo or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Rijeka has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is San Remo or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

San Remo is a well-known place for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

San Remo is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

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.

Is San Remo or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

San Remo 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 San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Remo or Rijeka?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both San Remo and Rijeka.

San Remo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Rijeka is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is San Remo or Rijeka Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either San Remo or Rijeka.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in San Remo. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Rijeka is 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.

Is San Remo or Rijeka Better for Couples?

San Remo is a well-known place for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

San Remo is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

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 San Remo or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rijeka is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is San Remo or Rijeka Better for Students?

Rijeka is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo is not popular with students.

Plenty of students 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.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both San Remo and Rijeka.

San Remo has some public transit options. There are local buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Rijeka, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is San Remo or Rijeka a more walkable city?

San Remo 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.

San Remo is a very walkable destination. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or San Remo?

How long in San Remo or Rijeka?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rijeka than San Remo 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 San Remo or Rijeka?

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

The town of Rijeka offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in San Remo or Rijeka?

San Remo 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.

Rijeka is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rijeka, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in San Remo or Rijeka?

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

Rijeka is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in San Remo or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxing destination of San Remo. This coastal 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.

Rijeka is a great place to explore. 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 something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, 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 San Remo and Rijeka, we can see that San Remo 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 San Remo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Remo 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 San Remo Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Remo or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of San Remo 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 San Remo 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 San Remo or Rijeka in the Summer?

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

San Remo is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in San Remo averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 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 San Remo this time of the year. In the summer, San Remo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. San Remo gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. San Remo gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Rijeka in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, San Remo is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Remo in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

San Remo usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. San Remo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in San Remo. In October, San Remo usually receives more rain than Rijeka. San Remo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Remo or Rijeka in the Winter?

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

In January, San Remo is generally much warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 9°C (48°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, San Remo often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. San Remo gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets more rain in January than Rijeka. San Remo gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Rijeka in the Spring?

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

San Remo is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in San Remo averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

San Remo usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. San Remo gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Remo usually receives less rain than Rijeka. San Remo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and San Remo