A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vilnius vs. Bucharest for Nightlife, Old Town, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Vilnius or Bucharest?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Vilnius and Bucharest. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Vilnius

Vilnius is a authentic, historic, and religious city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a undiscovered, cultural, and charming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Vilnius and Bucharest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vilnius or Bucharest?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bucharest than Vilnius. Bucharest is bigger than Vilnius, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bucharest is better known for its big city activities, while Vilnius is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Vilnius is well known for its authentic old town and long running history. Bucharest is well known for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. Also, Bucharest is famous for The Palace of Parliament.

How is Vilnius different from Bucharest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Vilnius or Bucharest?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Vilnius and Bucharest.

Vilnius offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city has fascinating museums relating to Soviet times. These include the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights and the Lithuanian Diaspora Art Museum. Other notable sights include the Three Crosses Monument and the St. Anne's and Bernardine Church Complex.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Is the Food Better in Vilnius or Bucharest? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Vilnius and Bucharest can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Vilnius. The food is hearty with plenty of meat and potatoes. There are also soups and herring dishes as well as great desserts. Popular dishes in the area include cepelinai (meat filled potato dumplings), kibinai (a pastry), and potato pancakes.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Vilnius or Bucharest Better for Nightlife?

Vilnius is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Vilnius is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The large student population is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene. You'll find most of the activity centered around three streets - Vilniaus, Islandijos and Vokiečių. These areas have a number of bars and clubs, and they draw the biggest crowds.

If you're looking for night time activities Bucharest has a few options to choose from. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Is Vilnius or Bucharest Better for its Old Town?

Vilnius is well known for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Vilnius. The old town is filled with history, architecture, and churches. It's also where you'll find Vilnius University. At the heart of the area is Pilies Gatve (Castle Street), which has shopping, cafes, and restaurants.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Vilnius or Bucharest?

Both Vilnius and Bucharest are notable shopping destinations.

Vilnius offers some nice shopping areas. For quaint shops, head to old town, particularly around Pilies Gatve. The city also has an open air market, Kalvarijų Turgus, that is popular on Saturdays. There are also a few shopping malls around town.

Bucharest has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Is Vilnius or Bucharest Better for Families?

Vilnius is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Vilnius. The city has a number of historic sights, but once your kids have had their fill, you can head to one of the outdoor or indoor play areas in the city center. There's also a toy museum and an Energy and Technology Museum that kids will enjoy. After a busy day, make sure you grab some ice cream to lift everyone's spirits.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Vilnius or Bucharest Better for Couples?

Vilnius is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Vilnius makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with viewpoints, from hill tops to towers, where you can enjoy romantic views over the landscape. You can also dine in a local restaurant or enjoy a picnic in one of the outdoor settings.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Vilnius or Bucharest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vilnius is well known for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Vilnius is a great city to visit for backpackers. For backpackers who want to escape the crowds, this off-the-beaten path European capital is a great option. It has history, charm, and an authenticity that is hard to find in a more touristy area. It's also an affordable city, with hostels and plenty of cheap places to eat.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Is Vilnius or Bucharest Better for Students?

Vilnius is a good destination for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Vilnius is popular with students. The city is small but charming with a number of places where international students can study. It's an affordable city with a lively atmosphere and an authenticate and genuine personality.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Vilnius or Bucharest Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest is notable for its public transit. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Bucharest has some very good public transit options. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Vilnius has some public transit options. Bus and trolleybuses are available.

Is Vilnius or Bucharest a more walkable city?

Vilnius and Bucharest both are notable when exploring on foot.

Vilnius is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is the most walkable part of the city.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Vilnius Worth Visiting? and Is Bucharest Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bucharest or Vilnius?

How long in Vilnius or Bucharest?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Vilnius and Bucharest. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vilnius than in Bucharest. Usually, 1-4 days is a good amount of time for Vilnius, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bucharest.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vilnius than Bucharest 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 Vilnius.

One day in Vilnius or Bucharest?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Vilnius. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Vilnius has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Bucharest, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Vilnius or Bucharest?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Vilnius. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Bucharest, 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 Bucharest has to offer.

Five days in Vilnius or Bucharest?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the surprising city of Vilnius. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bucharest 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 Vilnius or Bucharest?

Vilnius is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Bucharest. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bucharest. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Bucharest?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vilnius. When comparing the sizes of Vilnius and Bucharest, 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 Vilnius or Bucharest?

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 Vilnius or Bucharest in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Bucharest. The summer months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.

Vilnius is cooler than Bucharest in the summer. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Bucharest fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bucharest this time of the year. In Vilnius, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Bucharest during summer. Vilnius gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 289 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vilnius usually receives more rain than Bucharest. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vilnius or Bucharest in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Bucharest. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Vilnius is much colder than Bucharest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vilnius in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Bucharest averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Vilnius often gets less sunshine than Bucharest. Vilnius gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 177 hours of full sun.

Vilnius usually gets more rain in October than Bucharest. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vilnius or Bucharest in the Winter?

Both Bucharest and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Vilnius for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bucharest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bucharest can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Vilnius. In January, Vilnius is generally much colder than Bucharest. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around -5°C (23°F), and Bucharest fluctuates around -1°C (29°F).

Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Bucharest during winter. Vilnius gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 71 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vilnius usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bucharest. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vilnius or Bucharest in the Spring?

Both Bucharest and Vilnius during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bucharest for the activities around the city during these months.

Vilnius is much colder than Bucharest in the spring. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Bucharest fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Vilnius often gets less sunshine than Bucharest. Vilnius gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 185 hours of full sun.

Vilnius usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bucharest. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bucharest and Vilnius