A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chartres vs. Varenna for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Chartres or Varenna?

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

Should I visit Chartres 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.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Varenna

Varenna is a scenic, pristine, and beautiful village. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, food, and hiking.

Chartres and Varenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Varenna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Varenna than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Varenna is better known for its food, nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is more popular for its small town charm. Varenna is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its beautiful location by Lake Como. Also, Varenna is famous for Lake Como. Chartres is well known for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

Lake Como

How is Chartres different from Varenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chartres or Varenna?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Chartres and Varenna.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Varenna. Most people visit the town for its beautiful setting on Lake Como. There are some popular sights around town though such as the Church of San Giorgio and Castello di Vezio.

Is the Food Better in Chartres or Varenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Varenna is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Varenna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Despite the touristy nature of the town, the restaurants are surprisingly good and you'll find some excellent Italian food around town.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Chartres or Varenna Better for Nightlife?

Varenna is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Varenna doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The best way to enjoy the evening is to head to a restaurant and spend the time sipping wine in a laid back setting.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or Varenna Better for Hiking?

Varenna is great for hiking. However, Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Varenna for the hiking trails. There are lakefront trails and other hiking options near town. The Lungolago di Varenna - Baia di Varenna loop follows the water and makes for a pleasant stroll.

Chartres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Varenna?

Varenna is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Varenna. The streets are lined with artisan shops and boutique venders that are fun to explore.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Varenna Better for Families?

Varenna is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Varenna offers lots of family activities. The charming village has play areas for children and the beautiful Villa Monastero, which are gardens that they'll enjoy exploring. It's also worth visiting the Castle of Vezio.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Chartres or Varenna Better for Couples?

Varenna is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Varenna makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful village has a romantic atmosphere with a "lovers promenade" and many stunning views. It makes the perfect couples trip, whether you're on your honeymoon or just need some time away.

Chartres is a good town for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Chartres or Varenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Chartres and Varenna are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Chartres. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Varenna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are some hostels and guesthouses that cater to budget travelers. There's also plenty of outdoor activities that are free.

Is Chartres or Varenna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chartres is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Varenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Chartres can get you to some places easily. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

You'll find some public transit in Varenna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town is easily accessible by public transit and once you're in town you can walk everywhere.

Is Chartres or Varenna a more walkable city?

Varenna is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Varenna is a very easy village to get around on foot. Everything is walkable and the town is best explored on foot.

Chartres is a very walkable destination. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Varenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Varenna or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Varenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chartres or Varenna to fill your time. In our opinion, Varenna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Varenna than Chartres. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Varenna than Chartres. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Varenna, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Varenna than Chartres. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Varenna that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Varenna than Chartres 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 Varenna.

One day in Chartres or Varenna?

In Chartres, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful village of Varenna offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Chartres or Varenna?

In Chartres, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chartres has to offer.

Varenna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this village makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Varenna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Chartres or Varenna?

Chartres is a great place to explore. 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.

Varenna is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 Chartres or Varenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Varenna is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 village offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Varenna?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Chartres 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 Chartres or Varenna?

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 Chartres or Varenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Varenna. Most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Chartres is cooler than Varenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varenna this time of the year. In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chartres usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Varenna during summer. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Chartres usually receives less rain than Varenna. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chartres or Varenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Varenna. The autumn months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.

In the autumn, Chartres is cooler than Varenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chartres in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Varenna averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Varenna. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Chartres usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Varenna. It's quite cold in Chartres in the winter. In January, Chartres is generally around the same temperature as Varenna. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Varenna during winter. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chartres usually receives less rain than Varenna. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chartres or Varenna in the Spring?

Both Varenna and Chartres during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.

Chartres is cooler than Varenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Chartres often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Varenna. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun.

Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chartres usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Varenna and Chartres