A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arles vs. Como for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Arles 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 Arles and Como can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a fun, vibrant, and scenic lake area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Arles and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Como than Arles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Como is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Arles attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Como is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Arles different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Arles is renowned for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Arles has many famous sights for visitors. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

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 Arles or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Como has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Arles or Como Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Arles and Como.

Arles has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

If you're looking for night time activities Como has a few options to choose from. 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 Arles or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is very good for the beach. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Arles or Como Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Arles is one of the most recognized in the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Arles or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Como. 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.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Como?

Como is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Como is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Arles or Como Better for Families?

Como is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Arles or Como Better for Couples?

Como is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Como has plenty to offer. 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.

Arles is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Arles or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Como is a very popular lake area for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Arles and Como.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

While Como offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Arles or Como a more walkable city?

Arles and Como both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Arles?

How long in Arles or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Arles or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Arles, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como than Arles 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 Arles or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Como, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this trendy destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Arles or Como?

Arles is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Arles or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Arles. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Como is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Arles or Como?

The quaint town of Arles offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the trendy destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to 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 Arles and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Arles much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arles would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arles 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 Arles.

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

Which is Bigger, Arles or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Arles 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 Arles or Como?

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 Arles or Como in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arles as well as Como. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Arles is around the same temperature as Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Como. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In the summer, Arles often gets more sunshine than Como. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets less rain in July than Como. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Como in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Arles is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arles in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Arles usually receives more sunshine than Como during autumn. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Como. It's quite rainy in Arles. In October, Arles usually receives more rain than Como. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arles or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Arles during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Como can be very cold during winter. In January, Arles is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 7°C (44°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Arles often gets more sunshine than Como. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Como. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Como in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Como. Most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Arles is around the same temperature as Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Como during spring. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arles usually receives less rain than Como. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Arles