A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Imperia vs. Como for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Imperia or Como?

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

Should I visit Imperia 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.

Imperia

Imperia is a undiscovered, authentic, and charming town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a scenic, trendy, and fun lake area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Imperia and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Imperia or Como?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Como. Although Imperia and Como are popular destinations, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Imperia attracts visitors for its museums. Como is more touristy than Imperia and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Imperia is famous for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Imperia different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Imperia is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Imperia. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

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 Imperia or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its 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 plenty of up and coming restaurants around Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Imperia or Como Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Imperia and Como.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Imperia. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Como. 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 Imperia or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a popular place for the beach. However, Imperia 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.

Imperia is not a beach destination.

Is Imperia or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Imperia is not a hiking destination.

Como is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Imperia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Imperia or Como?

Como is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Como is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Imperia or Como Better for Families?

Como is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Imperia is a family-friendly town. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Imperia or Como Better for Couples?

Como is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

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.

Imperia is a nice destination for couples. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

Is Imperia or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is notable for backpackers. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Como is a very popular lake area for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Imperia is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

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

Both Imperia and Como offer nice public transit options.

Imperia has a few public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

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

Is Imperia or Como a more walkable city?

Como is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Imperia?

How long in Imperia or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Imperia 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 Imperia, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Imperia. 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 Imperia or Como?

Imperia 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 Imperia or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Imperia. 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 Imperia or Como?

The undiscovered town of Imperia 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.

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 Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Imperia and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Imperia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Imperia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Imperia 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 Imperia.

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

Which is Bigger, Imperia or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Imperia 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 Imperia or Como?

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 Imperia or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Imperia during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Imperia for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Como in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Imperia is around the same temperature as Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Imperia averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Como, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Imperia. In the summer, Imperia often gets more sunshine than Como. Imperia gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Imperia usually gets less rain in July than Como. Imperia gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Imperia or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Imperia and Como. Many visitors come to Imperia in the autumn for the shopping scene 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 the autumn, Imperia is a little warmer than Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Imperia in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Imperia usually receives more sunshine than Como during autumn. Imperia gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Como receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Imperia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Imperia gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Imperia or Como in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Imperia as well as Como. Most visitors come to Imperia for the museums, the shopping scene, 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. In January, Imperia is generally much warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Imperia average around 11°C (51°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Imperia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Imperia gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Imperia usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Como. Imperia gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Imperia or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Imperia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Imperia because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Como this time of year.

Imperia is a little warmer than Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Imperia averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Imperia usually receives more sunshine than Como during spring. Imperia gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Imperia usually receives less rain than Como. Imperia gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Imperia