Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Braga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Braga or Varenna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Braga or Varenna? 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.
Where Should I go: Braga or Varenna?
Braga
Located in the Cavado Valley of Northern Portugal, Braga is a medium sized city with both historical and modern characteristics. There is a university in town, known as Universidade do Minho, which gives the city a young feel with a lot of life. There are also many bars, clubs, and activities around to keep you entertained.
Varenna
A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Porto, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBraga €112Varenna €164
The average daily cost (per person) in Braga is €112, while the average daily cost in Varenna is €164. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Braga and Varenna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBraga €54Varenna €86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBraga €108Varenna €172
Compare Hotels in Braga and Varenna
Looking for a hotel in Braga or Varenna? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Braga Hotel Prices and Varenna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Braga €20Varenna €34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Braga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Braga:
- Traditional Vinho Verde Tour in Bowl with Private Transfer (Porto and Braga): $131
- Braga Private Transfer:To/From the Oporto Airport: $102
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varenna
Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358
Is it cheaper to fly into Braga or Varenna?
Prices for flights to both Varenna and Braga change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBraga €40Varenna €53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Braga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Braga.
- Small-Group Braga Food Tour With A Local Guide: $84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varenna
For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Braga €16Varenna €34
Tours and Activities in Braga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Braga are as follows:
- KAYAK TOUR I Going down the Lima River in Kayak | AV: $66
- 1h Buggy Tour | Arches of Valdevez | Peneda Gerês: $76
- 2h Buggy Tour | Arcos de Valdevez | Peneda Gerês: $131
- 4X4 Tour – Minho Litoral - Beaches and Mountains between Viana do Castelo and Caminha: $82
- 4X4 Tour - Discovering Serra d´ Arga: $175
- Alto Douro Walk & WineTour: $197
- TOUR HD BRAGA MERCEDES V EXT LONG: $225
- TOUR HD BRAGA SEDAN: $198
- Barcelos, Braga & Guimarães Tour: $109
- Braga & Guimarães: Premium Day Tour: $321
- Braga Private Walking Tour: $254
- Braga Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $216
Tours and Activities in Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
- Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
- Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
- Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150
- Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
- Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
- Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBraga €21Varenna €23
Sample the Local Flavors in Braga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Braga:
- Wine Tasting & Lunch | Quinta de Santa Cristina Vinho Verde: $50
- Green Wine Region-Small Group Tour with Lunch and Wine Tastings, from Porto city: $142
- Douro Valley Private Tour from Lunch & Wine Tour: $288
- Vinho Verde Private Wine Tour: $535
Sample the Local Flavors in Varenna
Also in Varenna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Braga and Varenna, we can see that Varenna is more expensive. And not only is Braga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Braga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Braga 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna than you might in Braga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Braga Expensive? and Is Varenna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Braga or Varenna?
Braga has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Braga and Varenna, 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 Braga or Varenna?
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 Braga or Varenna in the Summer?
Both Varenna and Braga during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Braga is generally cooler than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 21°C (69°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Varenna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Braga. In the summer, Braga often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Braga gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun.
Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Braga usually gets less rain in July than Varenna. Braga gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBraga 21°C (69°F)Varenna 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Braga or Varenna in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Braga and Varenna. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.
Braga is a little warmer than Varenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Braga averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Braga usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during autumn. Braga gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Varenna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Braga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Braga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Varenna. Braga gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBraga 17°C (62°F)Varenna 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Braga or Varenna in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Braga as well as Varenna. Additionally, many travelers come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Varenna. In the winter, Braga is much warmer than Varenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Braga in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Varenna averages at about 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Braga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Varenna. Braga gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun.
Braga receives a lot of rain in the winter. Braga usually gets more rain in January than Varenna. Braga gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBraga 10°C (50°F)Varenna 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Braga or Varenna in the Spring?
Both Varenna and Braga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Braga is generally around the same temperature as Varenna. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 14°C (56°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Braga. Braga usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during spring. Braga gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. It's quite rainy in Braga. In April, Braga usually receives less rain than Varenna. Braga gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBraga 14°C (56°F)Varenna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Varenna and Braga
| Braga | Varenna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.