A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Trieste vs. Reykjavik for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Trieste or Reykjavik?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Trieste and Reykjavik can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Trieste

Trieste is a energetic, diverse, and cultural city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Trieste and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Trieste or Reykjavik?

Both Reykjavik and Trieste have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Trieste is better known for its museums, food, beaches, and historical sights, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Trieste and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Trieste is well known for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Trieste different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Trieste or Reykjavik?

Trieste is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Trieste or Reykjavik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Trieste is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Trieste. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Trieste or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Trieste and Reykjavik.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Trieste. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Trieste or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Trieste is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Trieste has a beach worth visiting. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Trieste or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Trieste is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Trieste is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Trieste or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Trieste is not a hiking destination.

Around Reykjavik visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Trieste is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Trieste or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Reykjavik has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Trieste or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Both Trieste and Reykjavik are high quality to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Trieste. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Trieste or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Both Trieste and Reykjavik are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Trieste makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Trieste or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Trieste and Reykjavik are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Trieste is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Plenty of backpackers visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Trieste or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Trieste is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Trieste is a great city to visit as a student. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Is Trieste or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Trieste is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Trieste. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Trieste or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Trieste and Reykjavik are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Trieste is a very walkable destination. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Trieste Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Trieste?

How long in Trieste or Reykjavik?

In either Trieste or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Trieste because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Trieste, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Trieste than Reykjavik 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 Trieste.

One day in Trieste or Reykjavik?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Trieste. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, you'll find nightlife and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Trieste or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Trieste. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Reykjavik, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer.

Five days in Trieste or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Trieste. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Trieste or Reykjavik?

Trieste is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Reykjavik. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Trieste or Reykjavik?

Trieste has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Trieste and Reykjavik, 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 Trieste or Reykjavik?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Trieste or Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Trieste are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Trieste for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Trieste is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Trieste in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Trieste. Trieste usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Trieste gets 288 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Trieste usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Trieste gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Trieste or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Trieste during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Trieste because of the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. In October, Trieste is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Trieste average around 16°C (60°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Trieste often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Trieste gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Trieste usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Reykjavik. Trieste gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Trieste or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Trieste and Reykjavik. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Trieste this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. Trieste is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Trieste averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Trieste usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Trieste gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Trieste usually receives around the same amount of rain as Reykjavik. Trieste gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Trieste or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Trieste as well as Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Trieste for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Trieste is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Trieste in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Trieste often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Trieste gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Trieste usually gets more rain in April than Reykjavik. Trieste gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Trieste