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

Should you visit Calais or Como?

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

Should I visit Calais or Como? 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.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Como

Como is a fun, vibrant, and scenic lake area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Calais and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Calais or Como?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Como. Although Calais and Como are roughly the same size, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is very popular for its food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Como is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Calais different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Calais is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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 Calais or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Calais or Como Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Calais and Como.

Calais has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

If you're looking for night time activities Como has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Calais or Como Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Calais and Como are nice choices.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Many people head to Como to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is Calais or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Calais or Como?

Como is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Como is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Calais or Como Better for Families?

Como is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Como is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Calais or Como Better for Couples?

Como is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Como makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Calais or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is well known for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Como is a very popular lake area for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Calais and Como.

You'll find some public transit in Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

While Como offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Calais or Como a more walkable city?

Como is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Como is a very walkable destination. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Calais Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Calais?

How long in Calais or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Calais or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Calais, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Calais. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Calais or Como?

Calais is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Como is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Calais or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Calais. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Calais or Como?

The coastal city of Calais offers nightlife and food. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Como. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to 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 Calais and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Calais much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calais would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calais 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 Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como than you might in Calais.

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

Which is Bigger, Calais or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Calais 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 Calais or Como?

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 Calais or Como in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Calais as well as Como. Many travelers come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Como in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Calais is cooler than Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Como. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Calais this time of the year. In the summer, Calais often gets less sunshine than Como. Calais gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in July than Como. Calais gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Calais are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Calais in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Calais is cooler than Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Calais in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Como during autumn. Calais gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Como. In October, Calais usually receives less rain than Como. Calais gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Calais or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Calais during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Como because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Como can be very cold. Calais can be very cold during winter. In January, Calais is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Calais average around 4°C (40°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Calais often gets less sunshine than Como. Calais gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Calais usually gets less rain in January than Como. Calais gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Calais or Como in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Calais and Como. The spring months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Como this time of year.

Calais is much colder than Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Calais averages around 9°C (47°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Calais usually receives less sunshine than Como during spring. Calais gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Calais usually receives less rain than Como. Calais gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Calais