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

Should you visit Dijon or Varenna?

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

Should I visit Dijon 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.

Dijon

Dijon is a culinary, relaxing, and historical 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.

Varenna

Varenna is a beautiful, scenic, and pristine village. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Dijon and Varenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dijon or Varenna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dijon. Although Dijon and Varenna are popular destinations, Dijon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dijon is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities, while Varenna attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Dijon is famous for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also well known for The Ducal Palace. Varenna is famous for its beautiful location by Lake Como.

How is Dijon different from Varenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Varenna 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 Varenna?

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Dijon. 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 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 Dijon or Varenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Dijon and Varenna.

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.

Varenna has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Despite the touristy nature of the town, the restaurants are surprisingly good and you'll find some excellent Italian food around town.

Is Dijon or Varenna Better for Nightlife?

Dijon is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Varenna is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

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.

Varenna is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The best way to enjoy the evening is to head to a restaurant and spend the time sipping wine in a laid back setting.

Is Dijon or Varenna Better for Hiking?

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

Varenna is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Dijon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dijon or Varenna?

Both Dijon and Varenna 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 Varenna. The streets are lined with artisan shops and boutique venders that are fun to explore.

Is Dijon or Varenna Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Dijon or Varenna.

Dijon is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Varenna is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Dijon or Varenna Better for Couples?

Varenna is terrific for romance. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Dijon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Dijon or Varenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Dijon and Varenna 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.

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 Dijon or Varenna Better for Students?

Dijon is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Varenna 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.

Varenna is not popular with students.

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

Both Dijon and Varenna offer nice public transit options.

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

Varenna has some public transit options. The town is easily accessible by public transit and once you're in town you can walk everywhere.

Is Dijon or Varenna a more walkable city?

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

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

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 Varenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Varenna or Dijon?

How long in Dijon or Varenna?

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

Couples should spend more time in Varenna than Dijon. 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 Dijon than Varenna 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 Dijon.

One day in Dijon or Varenna?

In Dijon, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Varenna, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this pristine destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the food. This village offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dijon or Varenna?

In Dijon, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dijon has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Varenna. 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 Varenna?

Dijon 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Varenna. Lots of people come for the food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dijon or Varenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dijon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dijon. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Varenna. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Dijon and Varenna, we can see that Varenna 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 Varenna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dijon or Varenna?

Dijon has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Dijon 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 Dijon 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 Dijon or Varenna in the Summer?

Both Varenna and Dijon during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dijon for the city activities 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.

In the summer, Dijon is around the same temperature as Varenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dijon in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Varenna averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Varenna, 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 Varenna. Dijon gets 266 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. Dijon usually gets less rain in July than Varenna. Dijon gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Varenna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dijon and Varenna. The autumn months attract visitors to Dijon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. 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 October, Dijon is generally cooler than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Dijon average around 13°C (55°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Dijon usually receives less sunshine than Varenna during autumn. Dijon gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dijon usually receives less rain than Varenna. Dijon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dijon or Varenna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dijon as well as Varenna. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dijon 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 Dijon in the winter. Dijon is much colder than Varenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Dijon averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Dijon often gets less sunshine than Varenna. Dijon gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun.

Dijon usually gets less rain in January than Varenna. Dijon gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dijon or Varenna in the Spring?

Both Varenna and Dijon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dijon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dijon is cooler than Varenna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dijon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Varenna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Dijon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Varenna during spring. Dijon gets 178 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. In April, Dijon usually receives less rain than Varenna. Dijon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Varenna and Dijon