A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lugo vs. Lake Garda for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lugo or Lake Garda?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lugo or Lake Garda, 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.

Where Should I go: Lugo or Lake Garda?

Lugo

Located in northwestern Spain, Lugo is a city of the Galicia region best known for its old city, completely surrounded by Roman walls. Within these walls are some of Lugo's most impressive sights including a striking city hall, elaborate cathedral, and many beautiful city squares and plazas. The city is also known for its festivals and is the capital of a province of the same name.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Lake Garda or Lugo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Lugo is €98, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is €166. 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 Lugo and Lake Garda in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lugo 50
    Lake Garda 84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lugo 100
    Lake Garda 168
Compare Hotels in Lugo and Lake Garda

Looking for a hotel in Lugo or Lake Garda? 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.

Hotels in Lugo


Hotels in Lake Garda


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: Lugo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lugo 20
    Lake Garda 66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Garda

Also for Lake Garda, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Verona VRN Airport to Lake Garda: $109
  • Verona Opera Arena: Transfer from Lake Garda & Opera Ticket: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Lugo or Lake Garda?

Prices for flights to both Lake Garda and Lugo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lugo 34
    Lake Garda 42

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lugo 13
    Lake Garda 30

Tours and Activities in Lugo

Here are a few actual costs in Lugo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $80
  • ¡¡NEW!! Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $80
  • Cathedral of Santa Maria Entry Ticket and Audio Guide: $6.42

Tours and Activities in Lake Garda

For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium: Open Date Entry Ticket: $9.62
  • Lake Garda Mini Cruise: Sirmione Peninsula: $13
  • Hotel Villa Cariola Pool Entry Ticket: $20
  • From San Felice del Benaco: Islands Boat Tour: $27
  • Sunset Tour in Sirmione : $27
  • Tour in the Winery and tasting: $32
  • Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $37
  • Lazise: Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience: $42
  • Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $43
  • Winery Tour and Tasting of Garda Wines in Lazise: $44
  • Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione from Garda/Bardolino: $48
  • From Garda/Bardolino: 4-hour Guided Boat Cruise to Sirmione: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lugo 16
    Lake Garda 19

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 Lugo and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Lugo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lugo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lugo 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda than you might in Lugo.

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



When is the best time to visit Lugo or Lake Garda?

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.

Should I visit Lugo or Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lugo as well as Lake Garda. Additionally, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Lugo is cooler than Lake Garda in the summer. The daily temperature in Lugo averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lugo this time of the year. In the summer, Lugo often gets less sunshine than Lake Garda. Lugo gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Lugo usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Lugo gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lugo 19°C (66°F) 
    Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Lugo or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Lugo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lugo is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lugo in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Lugo usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Lugo gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Lugo. In October, Lugo usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Lugo gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lugo 16°C (61°F) 
    Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Lugo or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Lugo during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lake Garda in the winter. In January, Lugo is generally much warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Lugo average around 11°C (51°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Lugo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda. Lugo gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lugo. Lugo usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Lugo gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lugo 11°C (51°F) 
    Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Lugo or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lugo and Lake Garda. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

Lugo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda during spring. Lugo gets 167 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lugo usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Lugo gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lugo 13°C (55°F) 
    Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Lugo

Lugo Lake Garda
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 2°C (36°F) 55 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 9°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in) 24°C (75°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Sep 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in) 3°C (37°F) 51 mm (2 in)


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