A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Giverny vs. Bologna for Food, Attractions, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Giverny or Bologna?

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

Should I visit Giverny or Bologna? 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.

Giverny

Giverny is a peaceful, serene, and inspiring town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Bologna

Bologna is a fun, historical, and culinary city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Giverny and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Giverny or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bologna. Although Giverny and Bologna are both popular with visitors, Bologna has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bologna is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Giverny is known for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Bologna and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also home to Piazza Maggiore.

How is Giverny different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Giverny or Bologna?

Giverny is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Giverny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

Is the Food Better in Giverny or Bologna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Giverny or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna is great for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Bologna for the nightlife scene. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Giverny or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna is great for its old town. However, Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Giverny or Bologna?

Bologna is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bologna is well-known for its shopping. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Giverny or Bologna Better for Families?

Bologna is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Bologna offers lots of family activities. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Giverny or Bologna Better for Couples?

Giverny is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Giverny is a very popular place to visit for couples. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Giverny or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Giverny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Giverny or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Giverny is not popular with students.

Is Giverny or Bologna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Giverny and Bologna both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Giverny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Bologna has a few public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Giverny or Bologna a more walkable city?

Bologna is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Bologna is a very walkable city. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable town. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

For even more information, also check out Is Giverny Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Giverny?

How long in Giverny or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Giverny and Bologna. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bologna than in Giverny. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Giverny, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna than Giverny 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 Bologna.

One day in Giverny or Bologna?

In Giverny, you'll find food and museums. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Bologna, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Giverny or Bologna?

In Giverny, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Giverny has to offer.

In Bologna, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Bologna has to offer.

Five days in Giverny or Bologna?

Giverny 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.

Bologna is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

A week in Giverny or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Giverny. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Giverny. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 660 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny and Bologna, 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 Giverny or Bologna?

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 Giverny or Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Giverny during the summer are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Giverny this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Giverny. In the summer, Giverny often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Giverny gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Giverny gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Giverny and Bologna. Many travelers come to Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Giverny is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Giverny average around 13°C (56°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Giverny usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Giverny gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Giverny usually receives less rain than Bologna. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Giverny or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Giverny as well as Bologna. Many visitors come to Giverny in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bologna can be very cold during winter. Giverny can get quite cold in the winter. Giverny is much warmer than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Giverny averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Giverny often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Giverny gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Giverny are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Giverny is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Giverny in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Giverny usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Giverny gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Giverny usually receives less rain than Bologna. Giverny gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Giverny