A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Como for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Manchester 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 Manchester and Como can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

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.

Manchester and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Como?

You'll generally find more things to do in Manchester than Como. Manchester is bigger than Como, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Manchester is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Como is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Como is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Also, Manchester is famous for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

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 Manchester or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Manchester or Como Better for Nightlife?

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Manchester has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Manchester or Como Better for Music?

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Como is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Manchester has diverse options. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Como is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is very good for its beaches. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Manchester or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is great for hiking. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Como?

Como is very popular for shopping. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Is Manchester or Como Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Como.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Como is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Manchester or Como Better for Couples?

Como is very popular for romance. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Manchester or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Como Better for Students?

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Manchester is a great city to visit as a student. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Manchester or Como a more walkable city?

Como is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Manchester or Como. In our opinion, Como has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Como than Manchester. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Como than Manchester. 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 Manchester. 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Como?

Manchester is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and nightlife around the scenic lake area of Como, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Como?

Manchester 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Como, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this lake area.

Five days in Manchester or Como?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant big city of Manchester. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Como, a popular lake area, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Como?

The diverse city of Manchester offers shopping 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.

Como is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

When comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Como, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is Como Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Como?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Como. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Manchester is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Como during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Como. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Como in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Manchester is cooler than Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Como. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Manchester usually gets less rain in October than Como. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, 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. Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Manchester is cooler than Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Manchester during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Manchester is generally much colder than Como. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Como. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Como. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Manchester