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

Should you visit Giverny or Volterra?

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

Should I visit Giverny or Volterra? 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 inspiring, picturesque, and peaceful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food and museums.

Volterra

Volterra is a cultural, historic, and charming town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Giverny and Volterra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Giverny or Volterra?

Both Volterra and Giverny have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Giverny is very popular for its impressive beauty, while Volterra attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm. Giverny is more touristy than Volterra and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Volterra is famous for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster.

How is Giverny different from Volterra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Giverny and Volterra.

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Many visitors head to Volterra specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

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

Volterra is an amazing town 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, Volterra is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

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 Volterra Better for Nightlife?

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

Volterra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Giverny or Volterra Better for its Old Town?

Volterra is an amazing town to visit for its old town. However, Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Volterra offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Giverny or Volterra?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Volterra. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Giverny or Volterra Better for Families?

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

Volterra offers lots of family activities. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

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 Volterra Better for Couples?

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

Volterra makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

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 Volterra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Giverny and Volterra are nice 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.

Volterra is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

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

Giverny is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Giverny, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Giverny or Volterra a more walkable city?

Volterra is an amazing town 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.

Volterra is a very easy town to get around on foot. Most people explore the town 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 Volterra Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Volterra or Giverny?

How long in Giverny or Volterra?

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

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

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

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

One day in Giverny or Volterra?

The beautiful town of Giverny offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Volterra is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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.

A weekend in Giverny or Volterra?

Giverny is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Giverny, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Volterra might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Volterra has to offer.

Five days in Giverny or Volterra?

Giverny is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Volterra 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 Volterra?

Giverny is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Volterra. Since Volterra is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Volterra?

Volterra has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny and Volterra, 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 Volterra?

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 Volterra in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Giverny as well as Volterra. The summer months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volterra this time of year.

In July, Giverny is generally cooler than Volterra. Daily temperatures in Giverny average around 20°C (68°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Volterra. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Giverny this time of the year. In the summer, Giverny often gets less sunshine than Volterra. Giverny gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Giverny or Volterra in the Autumn?

Both Volterra and Giverny are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Giverny this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Volterra for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Giverny is cooler than Volterra in the autumn. The daily temperature in Giverny averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Volterra fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

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

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

Should I visit Giverny or Volterra in the Winter?

Both Volterra and Giverny during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Volterra in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Giverny. In the winter, Giverny is much colder than Volterra. Typically, the winter temperatures in Giverny in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Volterra averages at about 7°C (45°F).

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

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

Should I visit Giverny or Volterra in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Giverny and Volterra. Many visitors come to Giverny in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Giverny is generally cooler than Volterra. Daily temperatures in Giverny average around 11°C (52°F), and Volterra fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Volterra and Giverny