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

Should you visit Como or Brescia?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Como or Brescia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Como

Como is a fun, vibrant, and scenic lake area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, nightlife, and food.

Brescia

Brescia is a historic, undisovered, and authentic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como and Brescia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Como or Brescia?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Como than Brescia. While Brescia is larger than Como, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is better known for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Brescia is more popular for its museums. Como is more touristy than Brescia and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Also, Como is famous for the lakeside setting. Brescia is well known for its historic and archeological sights.

How is Como different from Brescia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Brescia 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 Brescia. There are some great museums and historic sights around town such as the Museum of Art and History, Tempio Capitolino, the Roman Theater, and Duomo Nuovo.

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 Como or Brescia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Como is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Brescia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Much of the cuisine has its roots in peasant recipes, but many have been incorporated into fine dining and specialty experiences. The dishes come from the countryside and use many local ingredients. Bigoi Col Pestöm (a local pasta), Casoncelli Alla Bresciana (stuffed pasta), and polenta are all favorites in the area.

Is Como or Brescia Better for Nightlife?

Both Como and Brescia have notable vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Como. 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.

Brescia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars that make for a fun night out.

Is Como or Brescia Better for Beaches?

Como is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Brescia is not a beach destination.

Como has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Brescia is not a beach destination.

Is Como or Brescia Better for Hiking?

Como is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Brescia 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.

Brescia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Como or Brescia?

Como is renowned for shopping. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Como is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Brescia is well-known for its shopping. It's a small city, but there are a number of fashion brands found around town. Via Gramsci, Corso Magenta, Via Mazzini, and Via X Giornate are among the best shopping streets.

Is Como or Brescia Better for Families?

Como is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Brescia is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Como is 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.

For families, Brescia is not always the best place to visit. There are several parks and swimming pools that the kids will enjoy as well as a castle and lots of archeology.

Is Como or Brescia Better for Couples?

Como is renowned for romance. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Brescia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's location near Lake Garda and its rich history and plethora of archeological sites make this a nice destination for couples.

Is Como or Brescia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Backpackers come from all over to visit Como. 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.

Brescia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a particularly popular backpacker destination but there are some affordable guesthouses.

Is Como or Brescia Better for Students?

Brescia is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Brescia. This is an affordable and interesting city for students. It's also in a beautiful setting, which makes for a nice experience.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Como and Brescia.

Como has some public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

You'll find some public transit in Brescia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and light rail to help you get around town.

Is Como or Brescia a more walkable city?

Como is well known for its walkability. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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

Brescia is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are easy to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Brescia or Como?

How long in Como or Brescia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Como or Brescia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Como than Brescia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Como, and 1-2 days is enough time in Brescia.

Families should spend more time in Como than Brescia. 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 Brescia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Como that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como than Brescia 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 Como or Brescia?

In Como, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This lake area offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Como or Brescia?

In Como, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Como has to offer.

Brescia 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.

Five days in Como or Brescia?

Como is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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.

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

A week in Como or Brescia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Como. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The historic city of Brescia 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Como or Brescia?

Brescia has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Como and Brescia, 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 Como or Brescia?

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 Como or Brescia in the Summer?

Both Brescia and Como during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brescia this time of year.

In the summer, Como is around the same temperature as Brescia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Como in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Brescia averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Brescia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Como. In the summer, Como often gets less sunshine than Brescia. Como gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 286 hours of full sun.

Como usually gets less rain in July than Brescia. Como gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Como or Brescia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Como and Brescia. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Como this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Brescia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Como is generally around the same temperature as Brescia. Daily temperatures in Como average around 15°C (58°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Como usually receives more sunshine than Brescia during autumn. Como gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Como gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Como usually receives more rain than Brescia. Como gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Como or Brescia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Como as well as Brescia. Many travelers come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Brescia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Brescia can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Como. Como is much warmer than Brescia in the winter. The daily temperature in Como averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Brescia fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Como often gets more sunshine than Brescia. Como gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 98 hours of full sun.

Como usually gets more rain in January than Brescia. Como gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Como or Brescia in the Spring?

Both Brescia and Como are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Como in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Brescia for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Como is around the same temperature as Brescia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Como in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Brescia averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Como usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Brescia during spring. Como gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Como usually receives more rain than Brescia. Como gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brescia and Como