A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Annecy vs. Como for Food, Couples, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Annecy or Como?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Annecy and Como can help you decide which place is right for you.

Annecy

Annecy is a charming, stunning, and breathtaking alpine town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Annecy and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Annecy or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Annecy. Although Annecy and Como are both popular with visitors, Annecy has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Annecy is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm, while Como is known for its beaches and shopping. Annecy is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. It is also home to Palais de l'Isle. Como is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers.

How is Annecy different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Annecy or Como?

Annecy is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Is the Food Better in Annecy or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at terrific restaurants in both Annecy and Como.

Annecy has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Como is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

Is Annecy or Como Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Annecy and Como.

If you're looking for night time activities Annecy has a few options to choose from. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Como. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Annecy or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is very good for the beache. However, Annecy is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Como to enjoy the beach. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

Is Annecy or Como Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Annecy is one of the most recognized in the world. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Annecy or Como Better for Hiking?

You'll find excellent hiking in both Annecy and Como.

Many visitors go to Annecy for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Como is a popular spot for hiking. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Is the Shopping Better in Annecy or Como?

Como is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Como draws large crowds to its stores. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Annecy or Como Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Annecy or Como.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Annecy is very family-friendly. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Como is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Annecy or Como Better for Couples?

Both Annecy and Como are terrific destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Annecy has plenty to offer. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

Is Annecy or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is a great lake area for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Annecy or Como Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Annecy and Como both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Annecy offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Como has a few public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Annecy or Como a more walkable city?

Annecy and Como are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Annecy is a very walkable alpine town. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

Como is a very walkable destination. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

For even more information, also check out Is Annecy Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Annecy?

How long in Annecy or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Annecy or Como. In our opinion, Como has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Como than Annecy. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como than Annecy 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 Como.

One day in Annecy or Como?

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Annecy or Como?

Annecy is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Como 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.

Five days in Annecy or Como?

Annecy is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This alpine town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. 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 Annecy or Como?

Because Annecy is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fun destination of Como. This lake area 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 France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Annecy or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Annecy and Como, 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 Annecy or Como?

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 Annecy or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Annecy and Como. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Annecy this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Annecy is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Annecy in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. In Annecy, it's very sunny this time of the year. Annecy usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Annecy gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Annecy usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Annecy gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Annecy or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Annecy as well as Como. Many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Como in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Annecy is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Annecy average around 14°C (56°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Annecy often gets less sunshine than Como. Annecy gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Annecy usually gets less rain in October than Como. Annecy gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Annecy are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Annecy in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Como can be very cold during winter. Annecy can get quite cold in the winter. Annecy is cooler than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Annecy usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Annecy gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Annecy usually receives less rain than Como. Annecy gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Annecy or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Annecy during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Annecy is cooler than Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Annecy in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Annecy often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Annecy gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets less rain in April than Como. Annecy gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Annecy