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

Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a active, nature-focused, and coastal city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a trendy, fun, and vibrant lake area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Helsinki and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Como?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Como than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Como, Como has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Como is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Helsinki is known for its museums. Como is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also home to the lakeside setting. Helsinki is popular for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

How is Helsinki different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

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 Helsinki or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Como Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Helsinki and Como.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

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 Helsinki or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a lake area with good options for the beache. However, Helsinki 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.

Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Is Helsinki or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Como. 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.

Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Como?

Como is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Helsinki. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Is Helsinki or Como Better for Families?

Both Helsinki and Como are high quality to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Como is known to be 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.

Is Helsinki or Como Better for Couples?

Como is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Couples visit Helsinki frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Is Helsinki or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Is Helsinki or Como Better for Students?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Helsinki is a great city to visit as a student. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Helsinki. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Helsinki or Como a more walkable city?

Como is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Helsinki or Como. In our opinion, Como has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Como than Helsinki. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Como than Helsinki. 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 Helsinki. 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Como?

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

The beautiful lake area of Como offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Como?

Helsinki 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this lake area makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Como, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Como?

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

Como 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.

A week in Helsinki or Como?

The environmentally conscious city of Helsinki 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.

Como is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This lake area offers something for everyone.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Como?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for 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 the summer, Helsinki is cooler than Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Como. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In October, Helsinki is generally much colder than Como. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Como. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

Como gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Helsinki usually gets less rain in October than Como. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Como in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Como. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Como. It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. Helsinki is much colder than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Como. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Como in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Como. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Como in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Helsinki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Como. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Helsinki