A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arles vs. Lake Garda for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Arles or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Arles and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Lake Garda?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lake Garda. Although Arles and Lake Garda are both popular with visitors, Lake Garda has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lake Garda is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Arles is known for its museums and historical sights. Lake Garda is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. It is also home to Sirmione. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Arles different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

Arles is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Arles are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

Is the Food Better in Arles or Lake Garda? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Arles and Lake Garda can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Lake Garda. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Arles or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Lake Garda is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Arles or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is well known for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Lake Garda is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Arles or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Arles is terrific for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Arles has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Arles or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Lake Garda?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lake Garda and Arles.

Many visitors go to Arles to go shopping. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Lake Garda. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Arles or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is one of the most popular family destinations. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Both Arles and Lake Garda are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Lake Garda is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Arles or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lake Garda is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lake Garda is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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 Lake Garda Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lake Garda is well known for its public transit. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Lake Garda. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Arles or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Arles and Lake Garda both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Lake Garda is very walkable. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Arles?

How long in Arles or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Arles or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Arles or Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the compact town of Arles, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arles, one day is sufficent for most.

In Lake Garda, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this playful destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This lake 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 Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Arles, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda?

Arles, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lake Garda. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Arles or Lake Garda?

Arles is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the playful destination of Lake Garda. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Arles or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arles as well as Lake Garda. Most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Arles is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 24°C (75°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In the summer, Arles often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

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

Arles is a little warmer than Lake Garda in the autumn. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Arles usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Arles. In October, Arles usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arles or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Arles during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arles this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lake Garda. In the winter, Arles is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Arles in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Arles often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

Arles usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arles or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Lake Garda. Many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Arles is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 13°C (56°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arles usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Arles