A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kos vs. Livorno for Attractions, Food, Beaches, and Nightlife

Should you visit Kos or Livorno?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Livorno 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.

Kos

Kos is a beautiful, ancient, and cultural island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Livorno

Livorno is a down-to-earth, waterfront, and friendly port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kos and Livorno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Livorno?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kos than Livorno, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kos is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Livorno is more popular for its big city activities. Kos is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Also, Kos is famous for Asklepieion Archeological Site. Livorno is well known for its large port and its great seafood.

How is Kos different from Livorno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kos or Livorno?

Kos is renowned for its historical sights. However, Livorno is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kos has many famous sights for visitors. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

Livorno offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The waterfront promenade and New Venice are nice to explore. There's an aquarium in town as well as a fun central market.

Is the Food Better in Kos or Livorno? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kos is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Kos is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

Livorno offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. As a port city, this is the place to try seafood. Many dishes include calamari, shrimp, or freshly caught fish. The city is less touristy than most in Italy, so even the food has an authentic and down-to-earth vibe.

Is Kos or Livorno Better for Nightlife?

Kos is great for its evening party scene. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Many people head to Kos for the nightlife scene. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Livorno. Most visitors arrive by cruise ship, and depart in the evening, but the city is large and for those that stay the night, there are a number of bars and clubs around town.

Is Kos or Livorno Better for Resorts?

Kos is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Livorno is not a resort destination.

Kos has a few great resort options. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Livorno is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Livorno Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Livorno is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Kos specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Livorno is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Livorno Better for Beaches?

Kos is renowned for the beach. However, Livorno is not a good destination for its beaches.

The beaches in Kos are among the best in the world. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Livorno is a good spot to see the beach. The beaches are pebbly or rocky, so you won't really find a long stretch of sandy beach where you can relax. They can also stay very crowded.

Is Kos or Livorno Better for Hiking?

Kos is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Livorno is not a hiking destination.

Kos has hiking trails worth exploring. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Livorno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Livorno?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Kos and Livorno.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kos. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Livorno offers some nice shopping areas. The main shopping street in town is Via Grande. It's generally filled with major chain stores and familiar brands.

Is Kos or Livorno Better for Families?

Both Kos and Livorno are notable to visit with kids.

Kos is a family-friendly island. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Livorno. The city has a nice aquarium as well as outdoor recreational activities like cycling and boating. There's a beach and parks where kids can stretch their legs and run around as well.

Is Kos or Livorno Better for Couples?

Kos is great for couples. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Kos is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

Livorno is a nice destination for couples. There are some nice museums as well as parks and boat rides that couples can enjoy. There's also an aquarium and a beach.

Is Kos or Livorno Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Livorno is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Kos. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Livorno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this city, so you won't find many hostels around town. It's a relatively affordable place to stay with some fun entertainment options if you do pass through.

Is Kos or Livorno Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kos is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

The public transit in Kos can get you to most places easily. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

Livorno has a few public transit options. There are buses around town including lines that run from the central train station to the port.

Is Kos or Livorno a more walkable city?

Kos is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

Kos is a very walkable destination. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Livorno is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but if you're arriving by cruise ship, you'll want to take a shuttle bus from the port.

For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Livorno Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Livorno or Kos?

How long in Kos or Livorno?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kos or Livorno to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kos than Livorno because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-2 days is enough time in Livorno.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos than Livorno 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 Kos.

One day in Kos or Livorno?

In Kos, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With food and shopping around the waterfront destination of Livorno, 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 Kos or Livorno?

In Kos, 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 Kos has to offer.

Many people visit Livorno for a weekend. With shopping and nightlife around the down-to-earth port city of Livorno, there's plenty to do. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Livorno?

Kos is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kos has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The destination of Livorno offers nightlife and food. 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 Kos or Livorno?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kos. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Kos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Livorno, a popular port city, 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 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Kos and Livorno, we can see that Livorno is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Kos or Livorno?

Livorno has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Livorno, 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.