A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Galway vs. Como for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a scenic, trendy, and fun lake area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Galway and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Como?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Como. Although Galway and Como are roughly the same size, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is better known for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Galway is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and big city activities. Como is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Also, Como is famous for the lakeside setting. Galway is well known for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Galway is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Galway. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Como is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Como Better for Nightlife?

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

Galway has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

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 Galway or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a lake area with good options for its beaches. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway is not a hiking destination.

Como is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Como?

Como is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Como is a famous shopping destination with plenty of 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Galway or Como Better for Families?

Como is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Como is 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.

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Galway or Como Better for Couples?

Como is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Galway and Como are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Many backpackers 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 Galway or Como Better for Students?

Galway is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Both Galway and Como offer notable public transit options.

Galway has a few public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Como has some public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Galway or Como a more walkable city?

Galway and Como both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Galway?

How long in Galway or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Galway or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

One day in Galway or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Galway. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Galway or Como?

Galway is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Como is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Galway or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Galway. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Galway or Como?

The vibrant city of Galway offers nightlife and food. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Como. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, 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 Galway and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Galway much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Galway would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Galway 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 Galway.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway or Como?

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 Galway or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Galway during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Galway for the city activities 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 July, Galway is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 16°C (60°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Como, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Como. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets less rain in July than Como. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Como. The autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Como this time of year.

Galway is cooler than Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Como during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Como receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than Como. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or Como in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Galway as well as Como. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Como. In the winter, Galway is a little warmer than Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Galway in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets less sunshine than Como. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Galway receives a lot of rain in the winter. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Como. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Como in the Spring?

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

In April, Galway is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 9°C (48°F), and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Como during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives less rain than Como. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Galway