A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montpellier vs. Como for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Beaches

Should you visit Montpellier or Como?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Montpellier and Como. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a friendly, historic, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, 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. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Montpellier and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montpellier or Como?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Como than Montpellier. While Montpellier is larger than Como, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is very popular for its food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Montpellier attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, and historical sights. Como is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Montpellier is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Montpellier different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Montpellier 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 Montpellier can be an interesting and educational experience. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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 Montpellier or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Como, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Montpellier or Como Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Montpellier or Como has a better nightlife scene.

Montpellier has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

If you're looking for night time activities Como has a few options to choose from. 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 Montpellier or Como Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Montpellier. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Como. 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 Montpellier or Como Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Montpellier is one of the most recognized in the world. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Montpellier or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Montpellier 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.

Montpellier is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Montpellier or Como?

Como is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Como is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Montpellier or Como Better for Families?

Como is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Como is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Montpellier or Como Better for Couples?

Como is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Como is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Montpellier is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Montpellier or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier and Como are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Montpellier is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of 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.

Is Montpellier or Como Better for Students?

Montpellier is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Montpellier is a great destination for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Montpellier 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 Montpellier. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

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 Montpellier or Como a more walkable city?

Montpellier and Como both are great when exploring on foot.

Montpellier is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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 Montpellier Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Montpellier?

How long in Montpellier or Como?

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

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

One day in Montpellier or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Montpellier. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic lake area of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Montpellier or Como?

Montpellier is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Como. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This lake area offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Montpellier or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Montpellier. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The trendy lake area of Como offers shopping and nightlife. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Montpellier or Como?

The bustling city of Montpellier offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Como. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Montpellier or Como?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Montpellier 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 Montpellier or Como?

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 Montpellier or Como in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montpellier as well as Como. Many visitors come to Montpellier in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Como. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. In the summer, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Como. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets less rain in July than Como. Montpellier gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Montpellier are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Como because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Montpellier is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montpellier in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Como during autumn. Montpellier gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Como. It's quite rainy in Montpellier. In October, Montpellier usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Montpellier gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Montpellier or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Montpellier during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Como this time of year.

It's quite cold in Como in the winter. In January, Montpellier is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 7°C (44°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Como. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Como. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Como in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montpellier and Como. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Como during spring. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montpellier usually receives less rain than Como. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Montpellier