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

Should you visit Ios or Giverny?

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

Should I visit Ios or Giverny? 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.

Ios

Ios is a historical, party-oriented, and vibrant island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Giverny

Giverny is a peaceful, serene, and inspiring town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Ios and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ios or Giverny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ios than Giverny, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ios is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Giverny is more popular for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Ios and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Ios is well known for its party hard atmosphere that attracts a younger and rowdier crowd. Also, Ios is famous for Skarkos Archeological Site.

How is Ios different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ios or Giverny?

Giverny is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Ios is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Ios. If you can pull yourself away from the beaches or parties, there are a number of archaeological and historic sights around the island. Churches like Panayia Gremiotissa Church and Evangelisimos Cathedral are worth visiting. Other attractions include Odysseas Elytis Theatre, Homer’s Tomb, and Skarkos Hill.

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

Ios is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Ios has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Most of the island's restaurants are found in the port area or in the town of Chora, but you'll also find several options near Mylopotas Beach. Most restaurants offer typical Greek dishes, but they often have a local twist. You'll often find local cheeses or a slightly different take on an old favorite. Popular ingredients include cheese, yogurt, fish, olives, honey, olive oil, and grains. Common meats include lamb, beef, and even rabbit, but seafood is obviously popular as well.

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 Ios or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Ios is an amazing island to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Ios has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. This is one of the quintessential party islands in Greece. Many young backpackers come here just to party, particularly during the summer months. You'll find many parties start around midnight or later and carry on well into the morning. Most of the clubs and bars are around the main square and nearby streets in Chora, but there are also clubs spread throughout the town. Outside of town, Mylopotas Beach is another popular party area.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Ios or Giverny Better for Resorts?

Ios is great for its luxury resorts. However, Giverny is not a resort destination.

Ios is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of resort areas around the island with families preferring the areas around Yialos Beach and Manganari Beach. Partiers usually head to Chora and the great beaches near Mylopotas, but if you want to escape the crowds, head to Agia Theodoti.

Giverny is not a resort destination.

Is Ios or Giverny Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Ios is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Giverny is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Ios has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some nice snorkeling and diving areas around the island as well as vendors who organize snorkeling and dive trips.

Giverny is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ios or Giverny Better for Beaches?

Ios is an amazing island to visit for the beache. However, Giverny is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Ios. The island has beautiful sandy beaches that range from family-friendly to party hard. There are popular and more developed beaches near Chora like Koumbara and Mylopotas as well as more relaxing beaches a little more removed like Kalamos and Manganari. Because of their striking beauty, the beaches around the island have been featured in a few films.

Giverny is not a beach destination.

Is Ios or Giverny Better for Hiking?

Ios is a popular place for hiking. However, Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Ios is a good destination for hiking. The island has a barren and rocky landscape that offers spectacular views. Many of the hikes are quite challenging, but there are a few options for beginners as well. Many also pass by the spectacular ruins around the island.

Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ios or Giverny?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ios. There are a number of local souvenirs that you can pick up. Many visitors prefer to take home unique items such as a tin of olives or olive oil. Jewelry, honey, and local ceramics also make good gifts.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ios or Giverny Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Ios or Giverny as a family destination.

Ios is not the most family-friendly destination. While the island is known as one of the top party destinations in Greece, it also has a more cultural side. There are impressive archaeological ruins and stunning beaches that kids will enjoy. The island also has snorkeling and plenty of kid-friendly food. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are in Manganari Bay and Yialos Beach is a nice family-friendly area.

Giverny is not always a place people visit with their families. 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 Ios or Giverny Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ios and Giverny make for a high quality place to visit.

Ios is a very popular place to visit for couples. Because it's so close to Santorini, many people visit as a day trip. While the island is synonymous with partying, there are still many world-class archaeological sites and romantic beaches that make for an active and fun honeymoon. It's a bit quieter outside of the peak summer months.

Giverny makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Ios or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ios is an amazing island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Ios is extremely popular for backpackers. For many backpackers, partying in Ios is a quintessential European experience. Nights are spent at all night clubs or beach raves, while days are spent nursing a hangover on the beach. There are plenty of venues that cater to the budget crowd, with cheap food available at different places.

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

Ios is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Ios has some very good public transit options. There are public buses that travel to most of the tourist sights around the island including several of the more remote beaches like Manganari and Agia Theodoti.

Giverny has a few public transit options. 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.

Is Ios or Giverny a more walkable city?

Ios and Giverny both are notable when exploring on foot.

Ios is a somewhat walkable place. Chora is the most walkable part of the island.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable island. 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 Ios Worth Visiting? and Is Giverny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Ios?

How long in Ios or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ios or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ios than Giverny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ios, and 1-2 days is enough time in Giverny.

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

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

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

One day in Ios or Giverny?

In Ios, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With food and museums around the peaceful destination of Giverny, there's plenty to do. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Ios or Giverny?

In Ios, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ios has to offer.

Many people visit Giverny for a weekend. With museums and food around the picturesque town of Giverny, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Ios or Giverny?

Ios is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

The destination of Giverny offers food and museums. It offers something for everyone. 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.

A week in Ios or Giverny?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ios. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Ios. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Giverny, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 3-Day Tours in Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ios or Giverny?

Ios has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Ios and Giverny, 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.