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

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

Monaco

Monaco is a thrilling, posh, and glitzy coastal resort area. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Como

Como is a fun, vibrant, and scenic lake area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Monaco and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Monaco or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Monaco. Although Monaco and Como are both popular with visitors, Monaco has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Monaco is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and big city activities, while Como is known for its museums & sights, food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Monaco is popular for its grand hotels, luxurious casinos, opulent malls, and popularity with celebrities. It is also home to Monte Carlo. Como is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers.

How is Monaco different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Como is a lake area with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Monaco is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Monaco has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by both French and Italian cuisines. You'll find many dishes that take advantage of the coastal location, with seafood being very common. The national dish is Barbagiuan, which is a deep-fried pastry that is filled with ricotta cheese, Swiss chard, and other vegetables.

Is Monaco or Como Better for Nightlife?

Monaco is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Monaco is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It's where sophistication meets glam, with many luxury nightclubs, cocktail bars, casinos, and even opera houses that you can explore. The city attracts celebrities, wealthy business people, and jetsetters who are looking to socialize, see, and be seen.

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 Monaco or Como Better for Resorts?

Monaco is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Como is not a resort destination.

Monaco offers an unforgettable resort vacation. As the playground for the rich and famous, this city has its share of luxury resorts. Famous hotels include the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, and the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

Como is not a resort destination.

Is Monaco or Como Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monaco is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Monaco has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are both beaches that offer walk-in snorkeling spots as well as boat tours that you can book that will take you to some of the best snorkeling and dive sights around Monaco.

Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Monaco or Como Better for Beaches?

Monaco and Como are good choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Monaco to enjoy the beach. Located along the French Riviera, the beaches are a mix of pebbles and sand. The only public beach is Plage du Larvotto in Monte Carlo and there are a number of activities available including jet skis and wind-surfing. This is also a very family-friendly beach that kids of all ages can enjoy.

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.

Is Monaco or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Monaco is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Como. 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.

Monaco is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Monaco or Como?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Como and Monaco.

The abundance of shops in Monaco make it a world-class shopping destination. A visit would not be complete without experiencing the city's shopping. There are couture, luxury brands as well as local boutiques that are frequented by the wealthy and famous. Popular shopping areas include Le Metropole Shopping Center, Fontvieille Shopping Centre, and La Condamine Market.

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.

Is Monaco or Como Better for Families?

Como is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Monaco is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Como is a very kid-friendly lake area. 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.

For families, Monaco is not always the best place to visit. The city has a few family-friendly activities like an Oceanography Museum, a Zoological Park, and a harbor where kids can explore. You can also check out the Changing of the Guards in the Old Town. The public beach in town, Plage du Larvotto, is very family-friendly as well.

Is Monaco or Como Better for Couples?

Both Monaco and Como are terrific destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Monaco has plenty to offer. Filled with luxury, a couple can enjoy perusing the yachts in the harbor, dining on fine cuisine at an award winning restaurant, or staying at one of the many fancy hotels in town. You can also explore the area by air, by taking a truly spectacular helicopter tour.

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.

Is Monaco or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is well known for backpackers. However, Monaco is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Como is a great lake area to visit for backpackers. 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.

Monaco is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Known for it's luxury accommodation and posh visitors, this coastal area isn't known for its backpacker friendly atmosphere. Most budget travelers skip the glitz and glam of this microstate in order to save a few bucks.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Monaco and Como.

You'll find some public transit in Monaco, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system.

While Como offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Monaco or Como a more walkable city?

Monaco is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Monaco. It's small and compact size means that it is easy to explore the entire area on foot in a short amount of time.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Monaco?

How long in Monaco or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Monaco 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 Monaco, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como than Monaco 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 Monaco or Como?

Monaco is a big city destination where you can fill many days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Monaco or Como?

Monaco is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Como is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Monaco or Como?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the glitzy big city of Monaco. This coastal resort area offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Monaco or Como?

The posh coastal resort area of Monaco offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the trendy destination of Como. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Monaco or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Monaco. When comparing the sizes of Monaco 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.