A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montpellier vs. Lake Garda for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Montpellier or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda. 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 bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Montpellier and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montpellier or Lake Garda?

Both Lake Garda and Montpellier have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Montpellier is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and shopping, while Lake Garda is known for its food, nightlife, and hiking. Lake Garda is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Montpellier different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

Montpellier is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

Is the Food Better in Montpellier or Lake Garda? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lake Garda is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

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 Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Lake Garda know how to have a good time. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Montpellier or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Montpellier and Lake Garda both offer superb beaches.

Many people visit Montpellier for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Lake Garda is considered a top beach destination. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Is Montpellier or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is terrific for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Montpellier has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Montpellier or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Montpellier is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Montpellier or Lake Garda?

Montpellier is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Montpellier is well-known for its shopping. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Montpellier or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Lake Garda is very family-friendly. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Montpellier and Lake Garda both superb destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Lake Garda is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Montpellier or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Montpellier. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Lake Garda is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Is Montpellier or Lake Garda Better for Students?

Montpellier is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake Garda is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Montpellier. 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.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Montpellier and Lake Garda.

The public transit in Montpellier can get you to most places easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Visitors to Lake Garda can move around easily with public transportation. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Is Montpellier or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Montpellier and Lake Garda both are superb 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.

Lake Garda is very walkable. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Montpellier Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Montpellier?

How long in Montpellier or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Montpellier or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

Families should spend more time in Lake Garda than Montpellier. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lake Garda, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the beautiful city of Montpellier, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Montpellier, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the playful lake of Lake Garda. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Montpellier, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Lake Garda. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This lake 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 Lake Garda?

Montpellier, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The fun lake of Lake Garda offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Lake Garda?

Montpellier 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lake Garda. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montpellier and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 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 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Montpellier 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 Montpellier or Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montpellier as well as Lake Garda. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Montpellier is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 23°C (73°F), 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 Montpellier this time of the year. In the summer, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Montpellier gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Montpellier are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Montpellier is a little warmer than Lake Garda in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Montpellier gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Montpellier. In October, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Montpellier gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Montpellier or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Montpellier during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Montpellier in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lake Garda can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Montpellier is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montpellier in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montpellier and Lake Garda. Most visitors come to Montpellier for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Montpellier is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 13°C (55°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montpellier usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Montpellier