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

Should you visit Bordeaux or Lake Garda?

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

Should I visit Bordeaux or Lake Garda? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a charming, romantic, and historical city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bordeaux and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bordeaux or Lake Garda?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bordeaux than Lake Garda, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bordeaux is better known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake Garda is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Bordeaux is more touristy than Lake Garda and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. Also, Bordeaux is famous for Cathédrale Saint-André. Lake Garda is well known for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks.

How is Bordeaux different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bordeaux or Lake Garda?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Bordeaux and Lake Garda.

Bordeaux offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

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

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

For foodies, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

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 Bordeaux or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Lake Garda know how to have a good time. 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 Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Bordeaux or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is a great destination for the beache. However, Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Lake Garda is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Is Bordeaux or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Bordeaux is a popular place for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bordeaux. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Bordeaux or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bordeaux or Lake Garda?

Bordeaux is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Bordeaux is well-known for its shopping. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go 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 Bordeaux or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Lake Garda is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Bordeaux or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bordeaux and Lake Garda make for a high quality place to visit.

Couples visit Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Lake Garda is a great city 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 Bordeaux or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bordeaux and Lake Garda are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bordeaux. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

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.

Is Bordeaux or Lake Garda Better for Students?

Bordeaux is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake Garda is not popular with students.

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Bordeaux and Lake Garda.

Public transit in Bordeaux can get you to some places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

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

Is Bordeaux or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Bordeaux and Lake Garda both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Bordeaux is a very walkable city. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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 Bordeaux Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Bordeaux?

How long in Bordeaux or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Bordeaux or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Bordeaux due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Bordeaux, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

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

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

One day in Bordeaux or Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful lake of Lake Garda offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Bordeaux or Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bordeaux, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Lake Garda is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this lake makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lake Garda, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Bordeaux or Lake Garda?

Bordeaux, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Bordeaux or Lake Garda?

Bordeaux is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. 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.

Lake Garda is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This lake offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Lake Garda. The summer months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

Bordeaux is cooler than Lake Garda in the summer. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, 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 Bordeaux this time of the year. In the summer, Bordeaux often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bordeaux is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bordeaux in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Bordeaux usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Bordeaux during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Bordeaux is generally much warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 6°C (43°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Lake Garda. Bordeaux gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. Bordeaux usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Lake Garda. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Bordeaux is around the same temperature as Lake Garda in the spring. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Bordeaux usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bordeaux usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lake Garda. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 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 Bordeaux