A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Varenna for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Aegina or Varenna?

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

Should I visit Aegina or Varenna? 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.

Aegina

Aegina is a vibrant, fun, and active island. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Varenna

Varenna is a pristine, beautiful, and scenic village. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Aegina and Varenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Varenna?

Both Varenna and Aegina have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Aegina is more popular for its museums & sights, nightlife, beaches, and small town charm, while Varenna is known for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Aegina is popular for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. Varenna is popular for its beautiful location by Lake Como.

How is Aegina different from Varenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aegina or Varenna?

Aegina is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Varenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Aegina. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Varenna. Most people visit the town for its beautiful setting on Lake Como. There are some popular sights around town though such as the Church of San Giorgio and Castello di Vezio.

Is the Food Better in Aegina or Varenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Varenna is an amazing village to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Varenna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Despite the touristy nature of the town, the restaurants are surprisingly good and you'll find some excellent Italian food around town.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Aegina or Varenna Better for Nightlife?

Aegina is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Varenna is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Aegina has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

Varenna is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The best way to enjoy the evening is to head to a restaurant and spend the time sipping wine in a laid back setting.

Is Aegina or Varenna Better for Beaches?

Aegina is a good destination for the beache. However, Varenna is not a beach destination.

Aegina offers a nice beach destination. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Varenna is not a beach destination.

Is Aegina or Varenna Better for Hiking?

Varenna is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Aegina is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Varenna. There are lakefront trails and other hiking options near town. The Lungolago di Varenna - Baia di Varenna loop follows the water and makes for a pleasant stroll.

Aegina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Varenna?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Varenna and Aegina.

Many visitors go to Aegina to go shopping. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Varenna. The streets are lined with artisan shops and boutique venders that are fun to explore.

Is Aegina or Varenna Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Aegina or Varenna.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aegina. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Varenna offers lots of family activities. The charming village has play areas for children and the beautiful Villa Monastero, which are gardens that they'll enjoy exploring. It's also worth visiting the Castle of Vezio.

Is Aegina or Varenna Better for Couples?

Varenna is an amazing village to visit for couples. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Varenna makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful village has a romantic atmosphere with a "lovers promenade" and many stunning views. It makes the perfect couples trip, whether you're on your honeymoon or just need some time away.

Aegina is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Aegina or Varenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aegina and Varenna are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aegina. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Varenna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are some hostels and guesthouses that cater to budget travelers. There's also plenty of outdoor activities that are free.

Is Aegina or Varenna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aegina and Varenna.

You'll find some public transit in Aegina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

While Varenna offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The town is easily accessible by public transit and once you're in town you can walk everywhere.

Is Aegina or Varenna a more walkable city?

Varenna is an amazing village to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Varenna on foot is easy. Everything is walkable and the town is best explored on foot.

Aegina is somewhat walkable. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Aegina Worth Visiting? and Is Varenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Varenna or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Varenna?

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

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

One day in Aegina or Varenna?

In Aegina, you'll find nightlife and food. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

A weekend in Aegina or Varenna?

In Aegina, 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 Aegina has to offer.

Varenna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Aegina or Varenna?

Aegina 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Varenna. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

A week in Aegina or Varenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Aegina. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the pristine destination of Varenna. This village 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Varenna?

Aegina has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Varenna, 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 Aegina or Varenna?

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 Aegina or Varenna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Varenna. Most visitors come to Aegina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aegina is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 27°C (81°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Varenna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aegina this time of the year. In the summer, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Aegina usually gets less rain in July than Varenna. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Varenna in the Autumn?

Both Varenna and Aegina are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Aegina because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.

Aegina is a little warmer than Varenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aegina. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during autumn. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. In October, Aegina usually receives less rain than Varenna. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aegina or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Aegina during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aegina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Varenna. In the winter, Aegina is much warmer than Varenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aegina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Varenna averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in January than Varenna. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Varenna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Varenna. Many travelers come to Aegina for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Aegina is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 16°C (60°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during spring. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Aegina usually receives less rain than Varenna. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Varenna and Aegina