A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Livorno vs. Como for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Livorno or Como?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Livorno or Como, 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.

Livorno

Livorno is a friendly, down-to-earth, and waterfront port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Livorno and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Livorno or Como?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Como than Livorno. While Livorno is larger than Como, Como has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Como is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Livorno attracts visitors for its big city activities. Como is more touristy than Livorno and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Livorno is famous for its large port and its great seafood.

How is Livorno different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of reasonable museums and attractions in both Como and Livorno.

While most people don't head to Livorno specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The waterfront promenade and New Venice are nice to explore. There's an aquarium in town as well as a fun central market.

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 Livorno or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como 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, Como is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

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 Livorno or Como Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Livorno and Como.

If you're looking for night time activities Livorno has a few options to choose from. 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.

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 Livorno or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Livorno is not a good destination for its beaches.

Como has a beach worth visiting. 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.

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 Livorno or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is great for hiking. However, Livorno 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.

Livorno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Livorno or Como?

Como is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to Como specifically to go shopping. 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.

Livorno is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Grande. It's generally filled with major chain stores and familiar brands.

Is Livorno or Como Better for Families?

Como is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Como. 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.

Livorno is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Livorno or Como Better for Couples?

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

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

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 Livorno or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Como. 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.

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

Livorno and Como both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Livorno offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town including lines that run from the central train station to the port.

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

Is Livorno or Como a more walkable city?

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

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

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 Livorno Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Livorno?

How long in Livorno or Como?

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

Families should spend more time in Como than Livorno. 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 Livorno. 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 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 Como.

One day in Livorno or Como?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Livorno. 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 Livorno or Como?

Livorno 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 Livorno or Como?

You'll find food and shopping around the waterfront destination of Livorno. This port city 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 Livorno or Como?

The friendly port city of Livorno offers shopping and nightlife. 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Livorno and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Livorno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Livorno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Livorno 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 Livorno.

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

Which is Bigger, Livorno or Como?

Livorno has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Livorno 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 Livorno 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 Livorno or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Livorno and Como. The summer months attract visitors to Livorno because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

Livorno is around the same temperature as Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Livorno averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. In Livorno, it's very sunny this time of the year. Livorno usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Livorno gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Livorno usually receives less rain than Como. Livorno gets 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Livorno or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Livorno as well as Como. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Livorno this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Livorno is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Livorno in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Livorno often gets more sunshine than Como. Livorno gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Livorno receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Livorno usually gets more rain in October than Como. Livorno gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Livorno or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Livorno are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Livorno for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Livorno is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Livorno average around 7°C (45°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Livorno usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Livorno gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Livorno usually receives more rain than Como. Livorno 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 Livorno or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Livorno during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Livorno in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Livorno is around the same temperature as Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Livorno averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Livorno often gets more sunshine than Como. Livorno gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Livorno usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Como. Livorno gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Livorno