A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Villach vs. Rijeka for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Villach or Rijeka?

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

Should I visit Villach 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.

Villach

Villach is a nature-filled, outdoorsy, and historic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a slow-paced, coastal, and accessible town. 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.

Villach and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students


Is there more to do in Villach or Rijeka?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rijeka than Villach. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rijeka is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Villach attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Villach is famous for its many alpine hikes, nearby lakes, and its quaint main square. 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 Villach different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Villach
Rijeka

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Villach or Rijeka.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Villach. There are several historical buildings in town such as the Parish Church of St. Jakob, the Holy Cross Church, and the Parish Church of St. Martin. Also worth a visit is the Museum of the City of Villach.

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 Villach or Rijeka? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Villach
Rijeka

Rijeka is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Rijeka area. 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.

Villach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find the standard options of pizza and burgers around town. While the food scene isn't particularly special, the quality is decent and reliable.

Is Villach or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Villach
Rijeka

Rijeka is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Villach is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Rijeka has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Villach. The weekends are when you'll find the best nightlife. There are some local bars and clubs that come to life and attract a young crowd on a weekend night.

Is Villach or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Villach
Rijeka

Rijeka is a moderate town for the beach. However, Villach is not a beach destination.

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.

Villach is not a beach destination.


Is Villach or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Villach
Rijeka

Villach is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Villach offers a nice historic old town area. You'll find churches and gardens throughout the charming old town. At the heart of the town is the main square.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is Villach or Rijeka Better for Hiking?

Villach
Rijeka

Villach is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Villach is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding countryside is filled with both short and long hikes. You can take a short stroll or spend hours (or days) exploring the alpine scenery. Breathtaking views and peaceful retreats make this a wonderful area for hiking.

Rijeka is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Villach or Rijeka?

Villach
Rijeka

Rijeka is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Villach is a mediocre town for shopping.

Many visitors go to Rijeka to go shopping. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Villach is a good destination for shopping. There are your standard shopping centers where you can pick up clothes or anything you may have forgotten for your trip.


Is Villach or Rijeka Better for Families?

Villach
Rijeka

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Villach or Rijeka.

Villach is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area is filled with outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. There's kid-friendly hiking, adventure parks, nature parks, and some swimming areas.

Rijeka is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Villach or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Villach
Rijeka

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

Villach is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures, beautiful hikes, and stunning scenery will appreciate a visit to this area.

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 Villach or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Villach
Rijeka

Villach 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.

Villach is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels in the area that cater to backpackers who enjoy the outdoor setting and beautiful hikes that are nearby.

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


Is Villach or Rijeka Better for Students?

Villach
Rijeka

Rijeka is a popular place for students. However, Villach is not popular with students.

Rijeka is a good town to visit for students. 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.

Villach is not popular with students.

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

Villach
Rijeka

Rijeka is a popular place for its public transit. However, Villach is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Villach. There are buses and trains in the area, but to experience the nearby nature you'll want to have a car.

Is Villach or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Villach
Rijeka

Rijeka is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Villach is a mediocre town for its walkability.

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

Villach is generally not a very walkable town. Parts of the town are walkable but the surrounding natural areas are most easily accessed with a car.


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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Villach?

How long in Villach or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Villach or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Villach than Rijeka because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Villach, and 1-2 days is enough time in Rijeka.

Families should spend more time in Rijeka than Villach. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rijeka than Villach 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.


  • How many days in Villach or Rijeka? Ideal Length of Stay
    Villach 1-3 
    Rijeka 1-2

One day in Villach or Rijeka?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Villach. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Rijeka, you'll find nightlife and food. This town 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 Villach or Rijeka?

Villach 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.

In Rijeka, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rijeka has to offer.

Five days in Villach or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Villach. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.


A week in Villach or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the historic destination of Villach. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rijeka. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rijeka. 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 2-Week Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria, The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Rijeka or Villach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Villach is €116, while the average daily cost in Rijeka is €95. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Villach and Rijeka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Villach 69
    Rijeka 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Villach 138
    Rijeka 100
Compare Hotels in Villach and Rijeka

Looking for a hotel in Villach or Rijeka? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Villach


Hotels in Rijeka


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Villach Hotel Prices and Rijeka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Villach 18
    Rijeka 16

Is it cheaper to fly into Villach or Rijeka?

Prices for flights to both Rijeka and Villach change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Villach 35
    Rijeka 34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Villach 15
    Rijeka 8.89

Tours and Activities in Villach

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Villach are as follows:

  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
  • Villach Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide: $250
  • Magic Christmas Tour: $769

Tours and Activities in Rijeka

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rijeka are as follows:

  • Drava Sup Exploring Adventure: $44
  • History of Military Forts Guided Tour: $64
  • Tour the underground with no experience required: $64
  • From Golden Island of Krk Tour: $93
  • Pula, Rovinj, and Panoramic Istrian Coast Tour: $121
  • Istria Highlights Tour from Rijeka or Pula: $122
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $127
  • Private Walking Cultural Tour of Rijeka: $235
  • Ucka Mountain: Guided Hiking Tour: $449
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour: $631

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Villach 14
    Rijeka 16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Villach and Rijeka, we can see that Villach 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 Villach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Villach 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 Villach Expensive? and Is Rijeka Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Villach or Rijeka?

Rijeka has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Villach. When comparing the sizes of Villach 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 Villach or Rijeka?

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 Villach or Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and Villach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Villach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Villach is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Villach averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Rijeka. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Villach. Villach usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during summer. Villach gets 288 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Villach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rijeka. Villach gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Villach 24°C (75°F) 
    Rijeka 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Villach or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Villach during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Villach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rijeka in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Villach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Villach gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun.

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Villach 16°C (60°F) 
    Rijeka 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Villach or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Villach and Rijeka. Many visitors come to Villach 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.

In January, Villach is generally around the same temperature as Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Villach average around 5°C (41°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Villach usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during winter. Villach gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Villach 5°C (41°F) 
    Rijeka 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Villach or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Villach as well as Rijeka. Most visitors come to Villach for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

In the spring, Villach often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka. Villach gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun.

Villach usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rijeka. Villach gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Villach 13°C (56°F) 
    Rijeka 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Villach

Villach Rijeka
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)