Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Lake Garda?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Lake Garda or Bologna? 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.
Lake Garda is a scenic, playful, and fun lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.
Bologna is a culinary, beautiful, and fun city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Lake Garda. Although Lake Garda and Bologna are both popular with visitors, Lake Garda has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lake Garda is more popular for its beaches and hiking, while Bologna is known for its food, historical sights, and shopping. Lake Garda is more touristy than Bologna and is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. It is also home to Sirmione. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna and Lake Garda. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Lake Garda and Bologna.
Lake Garda offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bologna. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.
Bologna is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
For foodies, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).
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.
Both Lake Garda and Bologna have great vibes after the sun sets.
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.
The people in Bologna know how to have a good time. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.
Lake Garda is a well-known place for the beach. However, Bologna is not a beach destination.
Lake Garda is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.
Bologna is not a beach destination.
Bologna is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).
Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.
Lake Garda is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bologna 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.
Bologna is not a hiking destination.
Bologna 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.
Bologna is well-known for its shopping. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.
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.
Lake Garda is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Lake Garda is one of the most popular family destinations. 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.
Bologna is a family-friendly lake. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.
Lake Garda is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.
Lake Garda is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.
Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.
Bologna is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.
Many backpackers visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.
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.
Bologna is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake Garda is not popular with students.
Many students frequent Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.
Lake Garda is not popular with students.
Lake Garda is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.
Many visitors use the public transit system in Lake Garda. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.
Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.
Lake Garda and Bologna are great when it comes to walkability.
Lake Garda is a very walkable lake. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.
Bologna is a very walkable destination. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lake Garda and Bologna. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lake Garda than in Bologna. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Lake Garda, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.
Families should spend more time in Lake Garda than Bologna. 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 Lake Garda than Bologna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lake Garda that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna 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 Bologna.
In Lake Garda, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This lake offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
With museums and nightlife around the culinary city of Bologna, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bologna, one day is sufficent for most.
In Lake Garda, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Lake Garda has to offer.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Bologna, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Lake Garda is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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.
Bologna, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lake Garda. 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.
Bologna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Garda is €166, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €159. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lake Garda and Bologna in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Lake Garda or Bologna? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
Prices for flights to both Bologna and Lake Garda change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
When comparing the travel costs between Lake Garda and Bologna, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Lake Garda as well as Bologna. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Lake Garda is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lake Garda in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bologna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lake Garda this time of the year. In the summer, Lake Garda often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Lake Garda gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.
Lake Garda usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Lake Garda gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bologna and Lake Garda are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Lake Garda is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Lake Garda average around 14°C (57°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Lake Garda usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Lake Garda gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bologna. In October, Lake Garda usually receives less rain than Bologna. Lake Garda gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Bologna and Lake Garda during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lake Garda in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bologna can be very cold during winter. Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. Lake Garda is around the same temperature as Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Lake Garda averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Lake Garda often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. Lake Garda gets 98 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.
Lake Garda usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Lake Garda gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lake Garda and Bologna. Most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Lake Garda is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lake Garda in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Lake Garda usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Lake Garda gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Lake Garda usually receives less rain than Bologna. Lake Garda gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Lake Garda | Bologna | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |