Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas or Lake Garda?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas? 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.
Where Should I go: Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas?
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
Playa de las Americas
If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to Italy, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLake Garda €166Playa de las Americas €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Garda is €166, while the average daily cost in Playa de las Americas is €195. 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 Playa de las Americas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLake Garda €84Playa de las Americas €115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLake Garda €168Playa de las Americas €230
Compare Hotels in Lake Garda and Playa de las Americas
Looking for a hotel in Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lake Garda €66Playa de las Americas €56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda
Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128
- Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas?
Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayLake Garda €42Playa de las Americas €45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Private Cooking Class with Meal : $65
- Valpolicella Wine and Food Tour: $75
- Cusina - Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta with wine tasting: $86
- Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lake Garda €30Playa de las Americas €30
Tours and Activities in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
- 2 Hours Walking and Boat Tour in Sirmione Highlights: $53
- Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
- Best of Sirmione with Boat Tour and Grotte di Catullo : $97
- Boat Tour of the Islands of Lake Garda with Aperitif: $76
- Canyoning "Vione" - advanced tour, for sportive beginner: $106
- Dolomites Full-Day Tour from Lake Garda: $75
- Dolomites Full-day Tour from Lake Garda: $76
- Experience in Sirmione Lake Garda: $98
- Fabulous Heritage of Sirmione - Walking Tour: $185
- From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49
- From Dolomites Bus Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLake Garda €19Playa de las Americas €8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bardolino: Wine tasting at Cantina Valetti: $26
- Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $32
- Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $32
- Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $42
- Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $42
- Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $44
- Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $55
- E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $87
- E-Bike Tour and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $87
- Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $90
- Castles boat tour with Bardolino wine tasting and nibbles: $98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lake Garda and Playa de las Americas, we can see that Playa de las Americas is more expensive. And not only is Lake Garda much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lake Garda would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Garda 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 Playa de las Americas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa de las Americas than you might in Lake Garda.
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 Playa de las Americas Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lake Garda and Playa de las Americas. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.
Lake Garda is around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas in the summer. The daily temperature in Lake Garda averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa de las Americas this time of the year. In Lake Garda, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lake Garda usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas during summer. Lake Garda gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lake Garda usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Lake Garda gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLake Garda 24°C (75°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lake Garda as well as Playa de las Americas. Many travelers come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Lake Garda is much colder than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lake Garda in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa de las Americas. In the autumn, Lake Garda often gets less sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Lake Garda gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun.
Lake Garda usually gets more rain in October than Playa de las Americas. Lake Garda gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLake Garda 14°C (57°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?
Both Playa de las Americas and Lake Garda are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lake Garda in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lake Garda is generally much colder than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Lake Garda average around 2°C (36°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Lake Garda usually receives less sunshine than Playa de las Americas during winter. Lake Garda gets 98 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lake Garda usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Lake Garda gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLake Garda 2°C (36°F)Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Lake Garda or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?
Both Playa de las Americas and Lake Garda during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Lake Garda is much colder than Playa de las Americas in the spring. The daily temperature in Lake Garda averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In Playa de las Americas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Lake Garda often gets less sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Lake Garda gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun.
Lake Garda usually gets more rain in April than Playa de las Americas. Lake Garda gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLake Garda 13°C (55°F)Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Lake Garda
| Lake Garda | Playa de las Americas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.