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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a vibrant, high energy, and bustling city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rijeka

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

Thessaloniki and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Rijeka?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Thessaloniki than Rijeka, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also home to The Monument of Rotonda. Rijeka is popular for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Thessaloniki different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Thessaloniki is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Thessaloniki specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a huge number of historic and archeological sights in the city. These include the Rotunda of Galerius, the White Tower, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, and the Arch of Galerius.

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.

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

Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki is an experience not to be missed. There's a huge culinary scene in the city, and you'll find everything from fun street food options to traditional tavernas and even some great international 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.

Is Thessaloniki or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Both Thessaloniki and Rijeka have great vibes after the sun sets.

Thessaloniki has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's the second largest city in Greece, and it has large student and tourist populations, so the nightlife scene is among the best in Greece. There are clubs, bars, and lounges that stay busy late into the night.

The people in Rijeka know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Thessaloniki or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Thessaloniki and Rijeka are decent choices.

You can check out the beach in Thessaloniki. Although the city's not known for its beaches, there are some places where you can relax by the water, particularly if you're willing to get a bit out of town.

The beach in Rijeka is worth checking out. 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 the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Rijeka?

Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki. There are shopping streets as well as large malls and shopping centers. You'll find everything from fashion, jewelry, and handicrafts to most European and international brands.

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

Is Thessaloniki or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Thessaloniki. The port city has a number of museums and attractions for kids including Dinosaur Park, the Noesis Science and Technology Museum, and the water park known as Waterland. There's also the fascinating Kapani Market that is fun to explore.

Is Thessaloniki or Rijeka Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Thessaloniki and Rijeka make for a good place to visit.

Thessaloniki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a bustling city that is filled with history and excellent restaurants. Couples who enjoy history and fun cities will appreciate a visit here.

Rijeka is a good city 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.

Is Thessaloniki or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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

Is Thessaloniki or Rijeka Better for Students?

Thessaloniki is a well-known place for students. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Thessaloniki is very popular with students. There's a large student population in the city and you'll find a vibrant nightlife scene, easy transportation options, and a reasonable cost of living.

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.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Thessaloniki and Rijeka.

Thessaloniki has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

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 Thessaloniki or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Thessaloniki and Rijeka are good when it comes to walkability.

Thessaloniki is a somewhat walkable place. You can explore much of the city center on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Thessaloniki or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Thessaloniki than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Thessaloniki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki.

One day in Thessaloniki or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Thessaloniki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Rijeka, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this diverse town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Rijeka?

Thessaloniki 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Rijeka?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the slow-paced destination of Rijeka. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Thessaloniki or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the high energy destination of Thessaloniki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Rijeka is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, 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 Thessaloniki and Rijeka, we can see that Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Rijeka?

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

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

In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°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 Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rijeka in the Autumn?

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

In October, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rijeka in the Winter?

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

Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Rijeka in the Spring?

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

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

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Thessaloniki