A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Istanbul vs. Lake Garda for Attractions, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Istanbul or Lake Garda?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Lake Garda, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a diverse, beautiful, and high-energy city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a scenic, playful, and fun lake. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Istanbul and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Istanbul or Lake Garda?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Istanbul. Although Istanbul and Lake Garda are popular destinations, Istanbul has more sights and attractions for tourists. Istanbul is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Lake Garda attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Istanbul is more touristy than Lake Garda and is popular for its world class historical sights, stunning mosques, and dynamic energy. It is also well known for The Blue Mosque. Lake Garda is famous for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks.

How is Istanbul different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Istanbul or Lake Garda?

Istanbul is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Istanbul are world-renowned. With such a long and diverse religious and political history, it has many museums, mosques, churches, and archeological sites that you can visit. Some of the most famous sights include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Sarayi, and the Blue Mosque.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

Is the Food Better in Istanbul or Lake Garda? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Istanbul is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Istanbul is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. From Turkish classics to sweet desserts, the city has it all. Popular dishes include Turkish style pizza, kebabs, and doner, which you'll find everywhere for affordable prices. You'll also find many tourist-centered restaurants in the touristy areas but if you get away from the main sights, you'll find more local options that let you sample high quality food for affordable prices.

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are very good in both Istanbul and Lake Garda.

Istanbul has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Dancing, dining, and partying have all become part of Istanbul's culture. Top nightclubs in the city include Reina, Sortie, and Supperclub. If you're looking for dance clubs and alcohol, your best bet is to head to the Beyoglu district.

Lake Garda has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is notable for its beaches. However, Istanbul is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Lake Garda. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Istanbul is not a beach destination.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Istanbul is terrific for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Istanbul has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The Old City in Istanbul is the most historic part of the city. It's where you'll find most of the city's historic sights. The area around Sultanahmet Square is the most popular tourist area to explore.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Istanbul is not a hiking destination.

Lake Garda is a popular spot for hiking. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Istanbul is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Istanbul or Lake Garda?

Istanbul is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Istanbul is well-known for its shopping. It is the capital of culture and fashion in Turkey, and there are many shopping areas that carry all kinds of brands. For a more traditional, but touristy experience head to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. For modern brands, Istiklal Caddesi is the most popular area for shopping.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is an amazing lake to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Istanbul is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an amazing family-friendly lake to visit. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Istanbul is very family-friendly. The city has several kid-friendly museums, a couple of aquariums, and fun theme parks. If the kids need a break from the city, you can spend a day at Vialand Theme Park or LEGOLAND Discovery Center Istanbul. Food in Istanbul is also very kid-friendly with many affordable dishes that young ones will enjoy.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Istanbul and Lake Garda are both very good to visit as a couple.

Istanbul is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy history, culture, and vibrant neighborhoods will enjoy a romantic stay here. The city lights up at night and there are many rooftop dessert cafes where you can take in the view. The waterfront setting is the perfect place to watch the sunset and there are many places to walk and soak up the atmosphere.

Lake Garda makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Istanbul is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Istanbul is extremely popular for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels and budget accommodation options, and there's also plenty of ways to meet other travelers. You'll find plenty of hostels concentrated in the Sultanahmet area.

Lake Garda is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda Better for Students?

Istanbul is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake Garda is not popular with students.

Istanbul is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Students appreciate the city's vibrant neighborhoods, constant activity, and diverse population.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Istanbul is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Istanbul can take you anywhere. It has a comprehensive and diverse public transit system that includes buses, trams, minibuses, ferries, funicular, and more.

Lake Garda offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Is Istanbul or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Istanbul and Lake Garda both are very good when exploring on foot.

Istanbul is very walkable. Although it is huge, most of the neighborhoods that tourists visit are incredibly walkable and pedestrian-friendly.

Lake Garda is a very walkable city. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Istanbul Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Istanbul?

How long in Istanbul or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Istanbul or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Istanbul due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Istanbul, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Istanbul than Lake Garda 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 Istanbul.

One day in Istanbul or Lake Garda?

When visiting Istanbul, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful lake of Lake Garda offers food and shopping. 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 Istanbul or Lake Garda?

When visiting Istanbul, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Lake Garda is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this lake makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lake Garda, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Istanbul or Lake Garda?

Istanbul, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda 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 Istanbul or Lake Garda?

Istanbul is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Lake Garda 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 offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Istanbul or Lake Garda?

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 Istanbul or Lake Garda in the Summer?

Both Lake Garda and Istanbul during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Istanbul is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Istanbul in July average around 24°C (74°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Lake Garda, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Istanbul. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Istanbul or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Lake Garda. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Istanbul is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 16°C (61°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Istanbul or Lake Garda in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Lake Garda. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lake Garda in the winter. Istanbul is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Lake Garda. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Istanbul or Lake Garda in the Spring?

Both Lake Garda and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Istanbul is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Istanbul in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Istanbul usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Istanbul