A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fethiye vs. Varenna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fethiye or Varenna?

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

Should I visit Fethiye 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.

Where Should I go: Fethiye or Varenna?

Fethiye

Fethiye is a tourist town in Lycia on the Mediterranean coast. It has a beautiful marina and plenty of activities during the day or night. Fethiye's size, location, and easy access to transportation make it a great central starting point to explore the area. It's also a popular place to pick up the "Blue Cruise," a popular boat tour along the Mediterranean coast.

Varenna

A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Fethiye?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Fethiye is $109, while the average daily cost in Varenna is $176. 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 Fethiye and Varenna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fethiye $48
    Varenna $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fethiye $96
    Varenna $184
Compare Hotels in Fethiye and Varenna

Looking for a hotel in Fethiye or Varenna? 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 Fethiye


Hotels in Varenna


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: Fethiye Hotel Prices and Varenna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fethiye $34
    Varenna $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fethiye

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Fethiye are as follows:


  • Local Bus
    $0.26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fethiye

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

  • Tandem Paragliding Over The Blue Lagoon in Fethiye From Kas Inc.Transfer: $300
  • Private Departure Transfer: Fethiye, Oludeniz Region Hotels to Dalaman Airport: $47
  • Private Departure Transfer: Fethiye Hotels to Dalaman Airport: $28
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Dalaman Airport to Fethiye Hotels: $38
  • Private Airport Transfers: From Orhaniye to Dalaman Airport: $99
  • Private Airport Transfers: From Fethiye/Oludeniz to Dalaman Airport: $98
  • Private Airport Transfer From/To Dalaman Airport: $60
  • Oludeniz Butterfly Valley Boat Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $76
  • Luxury Airport Transfer From Fethiye To Dalaman Airport: $53
  • Hisaronu (Fethiye) Hotels to Dalaman Airport DLM Transfers: $87
  • From Quad Bike Adventure with Transfers: $48
  • From Island Sailing Trip with Transfer and Lunch: $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varenna

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

  • Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358

Is it cheaper to fly into Fethiye or Varenna?

Prices for flights to both Varenna and Fethiye 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
    Fethiye $35
    Varenna $57
Typical Food Prices in Fethiye

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fethiye:


  • Fruit
    $0.22
  • Soda
    $0.09

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varenna

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

  • Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fethiye $38
    Varenna $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fethiye

For Fethiye, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Paragliding
    $7.42
  • Gorge Walk entry and photo
    $0.17

Tours and Activities in Fethiye

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fethiye.

  • Fethiye Dalyan Tour River Cruise and Mud Bath: $63
  • Ölüdeniz: Pirate Boat Cruise with Swim Stops and Lunch: $48
  • 12 Islands Boat Tour from Fethiye with Grilled Lunch: $41
  • 2-Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Cultural Tour from Fethiye: $221
  • 2-Day tour Ephesus and Pamukkale from Fethiye : $163
  • 7-HourJeep Safari Adventure in Fethiye Turkey: $31
  • Blue Lagoon Ölüdeniz Tandem Paragliding Experience from Fethiye: $218
  • Dalyan Mud Baths and Turtle Beach Day Tour From Fethiye: $60
  • Dalyan River Cruise by Boat with Lunch and Sea Turtles Watching: $54
  • Ephesus and Pamukkale 2 Day tour from Fethiye: $191
  • Fethiye Horse Riding Experience: $38
  • Fethiye Jeep Safari Tour: $28

Tours and Activities in Varenna

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

  • Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
  • Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
  • Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
  • Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
  • Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
  • Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
  • Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
  • Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fethiye $17
    Varenna $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Varenna

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

  • Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
  • Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134


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

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


Which is Bigger, Fethiye or Varenna?

Fethiye has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Fethiye 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 Fethiye or Varenna?

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 Fethiye or Varenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fethiye and Varenna. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Fethiye is a little warmer than Varenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fethiye in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Varenna averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varenna this time of the year. In Fethiye, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fethiye usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during summer. Fethiye gets 385 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Fethiye usually receives less rain than Varenna. Fethiye gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Fethiye 28°C (82°F) 
    Varenna 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Fethiye or Varenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Fethiye as well as Varenna. Additionally, 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, Fethiye is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Fethiye average around 20°C (68°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fethiye this time of the year. In the autumn, Fethiye often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Fethiye gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Fethiye usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Fethiye gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Fethiye 20°C (68°F) 
    Varenna 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Fethiye or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Fethiye are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Varenna. Fethiye is much warmer than Varenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Fethiye averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Fethiye usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during winter. Fethiye gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Fethiye. In January, Fethiye usually receives more rain than Varenna. Fethiye gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Fethiye 10°C (50°F) 
    Varenna 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Fethiye or Varenna in the Spring?

Both Varenna and Fethiye during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Fethiye is a little warmer than Varenna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fethiye in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Varenna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Fethiye. In the spring, Fethiye often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Fethiye gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun.

Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Fethiye usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Fethiye gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Fethiye 16°C (61°F) 
    Varenna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Varenna and Fethiye

Fethiye Varenna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 6°C (44°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in) 10°C (49°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
May 20°C (68°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 194 mm (7.6 in)
Jun 25°C (77°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 20°C (69°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (58°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)