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

Should you visit Avignon or Como?

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 Avignon and Como. 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.

Avignon

Avignon is a picturesque, historical, and quaint town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Como

Como is a trendy, fun, and vibrant lake area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and hiking.

Avignon and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avignon or Como?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Como. Although Avignon and Como are popular destinations, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Avignon attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Como is more touristy than Avignon and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Avignon is famous for its architectural beauty and historical importance.

How is Avignon different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Avignon 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, Avignon has many famous sights for visitors. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

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 Avignon or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at world-class restaurants in both Avignon and Como.

Eat your way through Avignon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

For foodies, Como is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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 Avignon or Como Better for Nightlife?

Como is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Avignon or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a good destination for the beach. However, Avignon is not a beach destination.

Como offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Avignon or Como Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Avignon is one of the most recognized in the world. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Avignon or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Avignon or Como?

Como is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Como specifically to go shopping. 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.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Avignon or Como Better for Families?

Como is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Como. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Avignon. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Avignon or Como Better for Couples?

Como is renowned for couples. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Como is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Is Avignon or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Avignon and Como.

Avignon has some public transit options. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Avignon or Como a more walkable city?

Avignon is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Avignon. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

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 Avignon Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Avignon?

How long in Avignon or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Avignon 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 Avignon, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

Families should spend more time in Como than Avignon. 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 Avignon. 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 Avignon 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 Avignon or Como?

Avignon is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. 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, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This lake area offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Avignon or Como?

Avignon is a fun place to experience. 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.

In Como, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Como has to offer.

Five days in Avignon or Como?

Avignon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Avignon or Como?

Because Avignon is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Como. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-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 Avignon and Como, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Como much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Como would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Como 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 Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Como.

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

Which is Bigger, Avignon or Como?

Avignon has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Avignon 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 Avignon 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 Avignon or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Avignon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Avignon in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Como. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Avignon gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Avignon usually receives less rain than Como. Avignon gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Avignon or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Avignon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Como because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Como. Avignon gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

Como gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Avignon. Avignon usually gets more rain in October than Como. Avignon gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Como in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Avignon and Como. The winter months attract visitors to Avignon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Como this time of year.

It's quite cold in Como in the winter. In January, Avignon is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Avignon average around 7°C (44°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Como during winter. Avignon gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Avignon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Avignon gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Avignon or Como in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Avignon as well as Como. The small town charm are the main draw to Avignon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Avignon this time of the year. In the spring, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Como. Avignon gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets less rain in April than Como. Avignon gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Avignon