A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Le Mans vs. Como for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Le Mans or Como?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Le Mans and Como can help you decide which place is right for you.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a quaint, small, and historic town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife and museums.

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Le Mans and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Le Mans or Como?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Como than Le Mans. While Le Mans is larger than Como, Como has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Como is better known for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Le Mans is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Como is more touristy than Le Mans and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Also, Como is famous for the lakeside setting. Le Mans is well known for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Le Mans different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Le Mans or Como?

Le Mans is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Le Mans. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Is the Food Better in Le Mans or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Como has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Le Mans or Como Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Le Mans and Como.

If you're looking for night time activities Le Mans has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Como. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Le Mans or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is very good for its beaches. However, Le Mans is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Como to enjoy the beach. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Le Mans is not a beach destination.

Is Le Mans or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is great for hiking. However, Le Mans is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Como for the hiking trails. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Le Mans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Le Mans or Como?

Como is a world-class destination for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Como. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Le Mans or Como Better for Families?

Como is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Como is a very family-friendly destination. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Le Mans is a family-friendly place to visit. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Le Mans or Como Better for Couples?

Como is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Como has plenty to offer. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Le Mans or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Como is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

It's common for backpackers to visit Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

Is Le Mans or Como Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Le Mans and Como both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Le Mans offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Como has a few public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Le Mans or Como a more walkable city?

Como is great for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of walkability.

Como is very walkable. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Le Mans Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Le Mans?

How long in Le Mans or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Le Mans or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Le Mans, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como than Le Mans 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 Como.

One day in Le Mans or Como?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Le Mans. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Como, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This lake area offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Le Mans or Como?

Le Mans is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Como, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Como has to offer.

Five days in Le Mans or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the small destination of Le Mans. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Como is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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.

A week in Le Mans or Como?

The historic town of Le Mans offers nightlife and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Como. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Le Mans or Como?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Le Mans and Como, 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.

When is the best time to visit Le Mans or Como?

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 Le Mans or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Le Mans and Como. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Le Mans is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Le Mans average around 19°C (66°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. In Le Mans, it's very sunny this time of the year. Le Mans usually receives less sunshine than Como during summer. Le Mans gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Le Mans usually receives less rain than Como. Le Mans gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Le Mans or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Le Mans as well as Como. Many travelers come to Le Mans for the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Como in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Le Mans is cooler than Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Le Mans averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Le Mans often gets less sunshine than Como. Le Mans gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Le Mans usually gets less rain in October than Como. Le Mans gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Le Mans or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Le Mans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Le Mans in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Como can be very cold during winter. Le Mans can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Le Mans is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Le Mans in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Le Mans usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Le Mans gets 54 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Le Mans usually receives more rain than Como. Le Mans gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Le Mans or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Le Mans during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Le Mans is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Le Mans average around 10°C (50°F), and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Le Mans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Le Mans gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Le Mans usually gets less rain in April than Como. Le Mans gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Le Mans