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

Should you visit Giverny or Varenna?

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

Should I visit Giverny 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.

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. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Varenna

Varenna is a scenic, pristine, and beautiful village. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, food, and hiking.

Giverny and Varenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Giverny or Varenna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Giverny than Varenna, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Giverny is better known for its museums and small town charm, while Varenna is more popular for its food, nightlife, hiking, and shopping. Giverny is more touristy than Varenna and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Also, Giverny is famous for The Home and Gardens of Claude Monet. Varenna is well known for its beautiful location by Lake Como.

How is Giverny different from Varenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Giverny is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Varenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Giverny. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Varenna. Most people visit the town for its beautiful setting on Lake Como. There are some popular sights around town though such as the Church of San Giorgio and Castello di Vezio.

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

Varenna is an amazing village 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, Varenna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Despite the touristy nature of the town, the restaurants are surprisingly good and you'll find some excellent Italian food around town.

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 Varenna Better for Nightlife?

Varenna is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Varenna doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The best way to enjoy the evening is to head to a restaurant and spend the time sipping wine in a laid back setting.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Giverny or Varenna Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Varenna for the hiking trails. There are lakefront trails and other hiking options near town. The Lungolago di Varenna - Baia di Varenna loop follows the water and makes for a pleasant stroll.

Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Giverny or Varenna?

Varenna is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Varenna. The streets are lined with artisan shops and boutique venders that are fun to explore.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Giverny or Varenna Better for Families?

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

Varenna offers lots of family activities. The charming village has play areas for children and the beautiful Villa Monastero, which are gardens that they'll enjoy exploring. It's also worth visiting the Castle of Vezio.

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 Varenna Better for Couples?

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

Varenna makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful village has a romantic atmosphere with a "lovers promenade" and many stunning views. It makes the perfect couples trip, whether you're on your honeymoon or just need some time away.

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 Varenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Giverny and Varenna are notable places to visit.

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

Varenna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are some hostels and guesthouses that cater to budget travelers. There's also plenty of outdoor activities that are free.

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

Giverny and Varenna both offer notable 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.

Varenna has a few public transit options. The town is easily accessible by public transit and once you're in town you can walk everywhere.

Is Giverny or Varenna a more walkable city?

Varenna is an amazing village to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Varenna is a very easy village to get around on foot. Everything is walkable and the town is best explored on foot.

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 Varenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Varenna or Giverny?

How long in Giverny or Varenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Giverny or Varenna to fill your time. In our opinion, Varenna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Varenna than Giverny. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Varenna than Giverny. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Varenna that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Varenna 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 Varenna.

One day in Giverny or Varenna?

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 Varenna, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This village 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 Varenna?

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 Varenna, you'll find food and shopping. 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. 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 Varenna has to offer.

Five days in Giverny or Varenna?

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.

Varenna 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 Varenna?

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 Varenna. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Varenna. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Giverny and Varenna, we can see that Varenna 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 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 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 Varenna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Varenna?

Varenna has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny 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 Giverny 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 Giverny or Varenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Giverny and Varenna. Most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Giverny is cooler than Varenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Giverny averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varenna 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 Varenna during summer. Giverny gets 241 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, Giverny usually receives less rain than Varenna. Giverny gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Giverny or Varenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Giverny as well as Varenna. The autumn months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.

In the autumn, Giverny is cooler than Varenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Giverny in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Varenna averages at about 15°C (58°F).

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

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Giverny usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Giverny are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Giverny this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Varenna. It's quite cold in Giverny in the winter. In January, Giverny is generally around the same temperature as Varenna. Daily temperatures in Giverny average around 5°C (40°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

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

In January, Giverny usually receives less rain than Varenna. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Giverny or Varenna in the Spring?

Both Varenna and Giverny during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.

Giverny is cooler than Varenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Giverny averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Giverny often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Varenna. Giverny gets 172 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. Giverny usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Giverny gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Varenna and Giverny