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

Should you visit Giverny or Como?

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

Should I visit Giverny or Como? 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 serene, inspiring, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Giverny and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Giverny or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Como. Although Giverny and Como are both popular with visitors, Como has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Como is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Giverny is known for its museums and small town charm. Giverny is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Como is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also home to the lakeside setting.

How is Giverny different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Como 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 Como?

Giverny is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Giverny can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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 Giverny or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is an amazing lake area 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, Como is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

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 Como Better for Nightlife?

Como is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Como has a few options to choose from. 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Giverny or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a popular place for the beache. However, Giverny is not a beach destination.

Como is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Giverny is not a beach destination.

Is Giverny or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is great for hiking. However, Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Como for the hiking trails. 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.

Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Giverny or Como?

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Giverny or Como Better for Families?

Como is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Como is very family-friendly. 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.

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 Como Better for Couples?

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Como makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

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.

Is Giverny or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

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

Giverny and Como 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.

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

Is Giverny or Como a more walkable city?

Como 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.

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

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 Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Giverny?

How long in Giverny or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Giverny or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Giverny, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

Families should spend more time in Como than Giverny. 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 Giverny. 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 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 Como.

One day in Giverny or Como?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Giverny. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Como, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This lake area offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Giverny or Como?

Giverny 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.

In Como, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Como has to offer.

Five days in Giverny or Como?

You'll find museums and food around the inspiring destination of Giverny. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Como is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Como?

The inspiring town of Giverny offers food and museums. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Como. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 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 Giverny and Como, we can see that Como 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 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 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 Como Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny 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 Giverny 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 Giverny or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Giverny and Como. Many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Como in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Giverny is cooler than Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Giverny in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. In Giverny, it's very sunny this time of the year. Giverny usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Como during summer. Giverny gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Giverny usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Giverny gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Giverny or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Giverny as well as Como. Many visitors come to Giverny in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Giverny is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Giverny average around 13°C (56°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Giverny often gets less sunshine than Como. Giverny gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Giverny usually gets less rain in October than Como. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Giverny are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Como because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Como can be very cold. Giverny can be very cold during winter. Giverny is around the same temperature as Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Giverny averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Giverny usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Giverny gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Giverny usually receives less rain than Como. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Giverny or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Giverny during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Como this time of year.

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

In the spring, Giverny often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Giverny gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets less rain in April than Como. Giverny gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Giverny