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

Should you visit Avignon or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda. 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 charming, scenic, and picturesque town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a playful, fun, and energetic lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Avignon and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avignon or Lake Garda?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lake Garda. Although Avignon 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, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Avignon is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Avignon is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance. Lake Garda is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. It is also home to Sirmione.

How is Avignon different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Avignon 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 Avignon are world-renowned. 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.

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 Avignon or Lake Garda? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Avignon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. 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 Avignon or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Lake Garda has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

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 Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is a very popular place for the beach. However, Avignon is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Lake Garda for it's beautiful 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.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Avignon or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

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

Avignon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Avignon or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda 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 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.

Avignon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Avignon or Lake Garda?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Avignon and Lake Garda.

Avignon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Lake Garda is a great destination for shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Avignon or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Lake Garda is very family-friendly. 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.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Avignon and Lake Garda both superb destinations for a couple.

Avignon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Avignon or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon and Lake Garda are both good destinations for backpackers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lake Garda. 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.

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

Lake Garda is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Lake Garda can get you to most places easily. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Avignon or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Avignon is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Lake Garda is a very walkable destination. 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 Avignon Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Avignon?

How long in Avignon or Lake Garda?

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

Families should spend more time in Lake Garda than Avignon. 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.

One day in Avignon or Lake Garda?

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Avignon, one day is sufficent for most.

In Lake Garda, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This lake 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 Lake Garda?

Even though Avignon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

In Lake Garda, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Lake Garda has to offer.

Five days in Avignon or Lake Garda?

Avignon, 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 great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Lake Garda?

Avignon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lake Garda. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Avignon and Lake Garda, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Lake Garda much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lake Garda would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

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

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

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

Both Lake Garda and Avignon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Avignon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Lake Garda. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Avignon gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Avignon usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Avignon gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Avignon or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Avignon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Avignon gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Avignon. Avignon usually gets more rain in October than Lake Garda. Avignon gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Lake Garda in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Avignon and Lake Garda. Many visitors come to Avignon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lake Garda can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Avignon is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Avignon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Avignon gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Avignon usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Avignon gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Avignon or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Avignon as well as Lake Garda. Most visitors come to Avignon for the small town charm during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Avignon is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Avignon average around 13°C (56°F), and Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. Avignon gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets less rain in April than Lake Garda. Avignon gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Avignon