A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ezcaray vs. Lake Garda for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ezcaray or Lake Garda?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ezcaray or Lake Garda, 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.

Where Should I go: Ezcaray or Lake Garda?

Ezcaray

Ezcaray, Spain is a great place to go if you are looking for a scenic, relaxing, and peaceful destination. It is located in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains on the banks of the Oja river. Because of the mountain range nearby, it is also a great place for mountaineers. Ezcaray is a small town with big charm and momentous possibilities. It is located right at the base of the San Lorenzo peak in the Oja valley in the La Rioja region of Spain. The town has a population of less than 2,000, so it is a far cry from big city life, but that's part of what makes it such a gem to visit. Some say it is one of the best locations to get an authentic feel of real Spain without the big touristy populations. Its sheer beauty has also been compared to something out of a fairy tale.

Lake Garda

As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda or Ezcaray?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ezcaray is €111, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is €166. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ezcaray and Lake Garda in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ezcaray 56
    Lake Garda 84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ezcaray 112
    Lake Garda 168
Compare Hotels in Ezcaray and Lake Garda

Looking for a hotel in Ezcaray or Lake Garda? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Ezcaray


Hotels in Lake Garda


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ezcaray Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ezcaray 21
    Lake Garda 66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda

Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
  • Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Ezcaray or Lake Garda?

Prices for flights to both Lake Garda and Ezcaray change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ezcaray 39
    Lake Garda 42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Garda

For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
  • Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
  • Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ezcaray 21
    Lake Garda 30

Tours and Activities in Lake Garda

For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
  • 2 Hours Walking and Boat Tour in Sirmione Highlights: $53
  • Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
  • Best of Sirmione with Boat Tour and Grotte di Catullo : $97
  • Boat Tour of the Islands of Lake Garda with Aperitif: $76
  • Canyoning "Vione" - advanced tour, for sportive beginner: $106
  • Dolomites Full-Day Tour from Lake Garda: $75
  • Dolomites Full-day Tour from Lake Garda: $76
  • Experience in Sirmione Lake Garda: $98
  • Fabulous Heritage of Sirmione - Walking Tour: $185
  • From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
  • From Dolomites Bus Tour: $73

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ezcaray 19
    Lake Garda 19

Sample the Local Flavors in Lake Garda

Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
  • Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
  • Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
  • Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
  • Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
  • Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
  • Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
  • E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
  • E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
  • Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
  • Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ezcaray and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Ezcaray much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ezcaray would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ezcaray 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda than you might in Ezcaray.

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



When is the best time to visit Ezcaray or Lake Garda?

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 Ezcaray or Lake Garda in the Summer?

Both Lake Garda and Ezcaray are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Ezcaray is cooler than Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ezcaray in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Lake Garda. Ezcaray usually receives less sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Ezcaray gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ezcaray usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Ezcaray gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ezcaray 20°C (68°F) 
    Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Ezcaray or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Ezcaray during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ezcaray is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Ezcaray average around 16°C (62°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Ezcaray often gets less sunshine than Lake Garda. Ezcaray gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ezcaray. Ezcaray usually gets more rain in October than Lake Garda. Ezcaray gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ezcaray 16°C (62°F) 
    Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Ezcaray or Lake Garda in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ezcaray and Lake Garda. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lake Garda in the winter. Ezcaray is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Ezcaray averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Ezcaray usually receives less sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Ezcaray gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

Ezcaray gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Ezcaray usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Ezcaray gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ezcaray 9°C (48°F) 
    Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Ezcaray or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ezcaray as well as Lake Garda. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ezcaray is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ezcaray in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Ezcaray often gets less sunshine than Lake Garda. Ezcaray gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.

Ezcaray receives a lot of rain in the spring. Ezcaray usually gets more rain in April than Lake Garda. Ezcaray gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ezcaray 12°C (54°F) 
    Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Ezcaray

Ezcaray Lake Garda
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 2°C (36°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 5°C (40°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 11°C (51°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 9°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 19°C (67°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 16°C (62°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 152 mm (6 in) 8°C (46°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 51 mm (2 in)


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