A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Meknes vs. Varenna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Meknes or Varenna?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Meknes and Varenna can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Meknes or Varenna?

Meknes

So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.

Varenna

A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Meknes?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Meknes is $46, while the average daily cost in Varenna is $176. 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 Meknes and Varenna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Meknes $26
    Varenna $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Meknes $52
    Varenna $184
Compare Hotels in Meknes and Varenna

Looking for a hotel in Meknes or Varenna? 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 Meknes


Hotels in Varenna


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: Meknes Hotel Prices and Varenna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Meknes $1.46
    Varenna $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varenna

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

  • Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358

Is it cheaper to fly into Meknes or Varenna?

Prices for flights to both Varenna and Meknes 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
    Meknes $14
    Varenna $57
Typical Food Prices in Meknes

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Meknes:


  • Popcorn
    $0.20
  • Spices
    $2.49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Meknes

For Meknes, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Fes Medina :Grocery shopping & cooking Class with Fatima: $95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varenna

For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Meknes $3.55
    Varenna $36

Tours and Activities in Meknes

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Meknes.

  • Fes Volubilis Tour: $45
  • From Fez: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes Full Day Tour: $17
  • From Rabat: Volubilis and Meknes Full-day Tour: $258

Tours and Activities in Varenna

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

  • Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
  • Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
  • Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
  • Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
  • Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
  • Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
  • Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
  • Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Meknes $2.62
    Varenna $24
Typical Alcohol Prices in Meknes

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Meknes:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $4.58

Sample the Local Flavors in Varenna

Also in Varenna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
  • Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Meknes and Varenna, we can see that Varenna is more expensive. And not only is Meknes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Meknes is in Africa and Varenna is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Meknes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Meknes 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna than you might in Meknes.

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


Which is Bigger, Meknes or Varenna?

Meknes has a larger population, and is about 650 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Meknes and Varenna, 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 Meknes or Varenna?

Varenna has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Meknes experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Meknes or Varenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Meknes and Varenna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Meknes year-round. Also, many travelers come to Varenna for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Meknes is generally around the same temperature as Varenna. Daily temperatures in Meknes average around 23°C (73°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varenna this time of the year. In Meknes, it's very sunny this time of the year. Meknes usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during summer. Meknes gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Meknes usually receives less rain than Varenna. Meknes gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Meknes 23°C (73°F) 
    Varenna 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Meknes or Varenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Meknes as well as Varenna. Meknes attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Meknes is a little warmer than Varenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Meknes averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Meknes this time of the year. In the autumn, Meknes often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Meknes gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Meknes usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Meknes gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Meknes 19°C (67°F) 
    Varenna 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Meknes or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Meknes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Meknes throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Varenna can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Meknes is much warmer than Varenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Meknes in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Varenna averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Meknes usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during winter. Meknes gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Meknes usually receives more rain than Varenna. Meknes gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Meknes 12°C (54°F) 
    Varenna 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Meknes or Varenna in the Spring?

Both Varenna and Meknes during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Meknes because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Varenna because of the natural beauty.

In April, Meknes is generally a little warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Meknes average around 16°C (60°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Meknes. In the spring, Meknes often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Meknes gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun.

Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Meknes usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Meknes gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Meknes 16°C (60°F) 
    Varenna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Varenna and Meknes

Meknes Varenna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Feb 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 6°C (44°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (49°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 194 mm (7.6 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (69°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 1 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 19°C (67°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (58°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)


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