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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Como?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Como can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a gothic, ancient, and charming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Como

Como is a trendy, fun, and vibrant lake area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Edinburgh and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Como?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Como, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Como is known for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Edinburgh is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Como is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers.

How is Edinburgh different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is renowned for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Edinburgh has many famous sights for visitors. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Como Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Como is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Como is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Edinburgh or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Como have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Como Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Edinburgh has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Edinburgh or Como Better for Music?

Edinburgh is renowned for its music scene. However, Como is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Como is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a lake area with good options for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Como. 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.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or Como Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Edinburgh is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Edinburgh or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Como?

Como is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Como draws large crowds to its 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Is Edinburgh or Como Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Como are high quality to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Como Better for Couples?

Como is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Como is a great lake area for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Couples visit Edinburgh frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Is Edinburgh or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Edinburgh, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Como Better for Students?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Edinburgh is a great city to visit as a student. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Edinburgh and Como.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Edinburgh or Como a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Edinburgh. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Edinburgh or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Edinburgh due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

Couples should spend more time in Como than Edinburgh. 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 Edinburgh than Como 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Como?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Edinburgh. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the lake area of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Como?

Edinburgh is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the fun destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this lake area has to offer. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Como?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the gothic destination of Edinburgh. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic lake area of Como. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Como?

The ancient city of Edinburgh offers museums and theater. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Como is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Edinburgh and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Edinburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Edinburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Como?

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

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 Edinburgh or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Como. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Como during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Como. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Edinburgh during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Como. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Como. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

Como gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Como. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Como in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Como. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Como. It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. Edinburgh is much colder than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Como. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Como in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Como. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Como in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Como. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Como. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Edinburgh