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

Should you visit Dijon or Lake Garda?

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

Should I visit Dijon 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.

Dijon

Dijon is a relaxing, historical, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a scenic, playful, and fun lake. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Dijon and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dijon or Lake Garda?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dijon. Although Dijon and Lake Garda are popular destinations, Dijon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dijon is very popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Lake Garda attracts visitors for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Dijon is famous for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also well known for The Ducal Palace. Lake Garda is famous for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks.

How is Dijon different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dijon is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Dijon offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

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

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

For foodies, Dijon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

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 Dijon or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is notable for nightlife. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Lake Garda has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Dijon. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is Dijon or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is notable for its beaches. However, Dijon 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.

Dijon is not a beach destination.

Is Dijon or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Dijon is not a hiking destination.

Lake Garda is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Dijon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dijon or Lake Garda?

Both Dijon and Lake Garda are nice shopping destinations.

Dijon is a great destination for shopping. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lake Garda. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Dijon or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Dijon is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Dijon or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

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

Dijon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

Lake Garda makes for a fun place to visit for 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 Dijon or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Dijon and Lake Garda are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dijon. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

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 Dijon or Lake Garda Better for Students?

Dijon is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake Garda is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

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

Lake Garda is notable for its public transit. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Lake Garda can move around easily with public transportation. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Dijon has some public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Dijon or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Lake Garda is notable for its walkability. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Lake Garda is very walkable. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Dijon Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Dijon?

How long in Dijon or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Dijon or Lake Garda. In our opinion, Lake Garda has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Lake Garda than Dijon. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Dijon or Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the relaxing city of Dijon, 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.

In Lake Garda, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this playful destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This lake offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dijon or Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Dijon, 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dijon or Lake Garda?

Dijon, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lake Garda. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dijon or Lake Garda?

Dijon 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the fun destination of Lake Garda. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Dijon and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

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

Both Lake Garda and Dijon during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Dijon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

In the summer, Dijon is cooler than Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dijon in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Lake Garda, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dijon. In the summer, Dijon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda. Dijon gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Dijon gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dijon and Lake Garda. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dijon 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 October, Dijon is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Dijon average around 13°C (55°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Dijon usually receives less sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Dijon gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dijon usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Dijon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dijon or Lake Garda in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dijon as well as Lake Garda. Many travelers come to Dijon 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. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dijon. Dijon is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Dijon often gets less sunshine than Lake Garda. Dijon gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Dijon gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Lake Garda in the Spring?

Both Lake Garda and Dijon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dijon 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.

In the spring, Dijon is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dijon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Dijon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda during spring. Dijon gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dijon usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Dijon gets 52 mm (2 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 Dijon