A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Naples vs. Como for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Naples or Como?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Naples or Como, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Naples

Naples is a fascinating, historic, and authentic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

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 shopping, nightlife, and food.

Naples and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Naples or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Naples than Como. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Naples is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Como attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Como is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Naples is famous for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also well known for Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Naples different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Naples 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 Naples can be an interesting and educational experience. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

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 Naples or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Naples and Como both to be amazing destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Naples is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Many restaurants in Como have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Is Naples or Como Better for Nightlife?

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

Naples has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

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 Naples or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Naples is not a beach destination.

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.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is Naples or Como Better for its Old Town?

Naples is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Naples to see the historical old town. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Naples or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Naples 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.

Naples is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Naples or Como?

Como is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Naples 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 Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Naples or Como Better for Families?

Como is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Naples or Como Better for Couples?

Como is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Naples is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Naples or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples and Como are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Naples is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

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 Naples or Como Better for Students?

Naples is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Naples 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 Naples. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

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 Naples or Como a more walkable city?

Naples and Como both are superb when exploring on foot.

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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 Naples Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Naples?

How long in Naples or Como?

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

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

One day in Naples or Como?

Naples is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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.

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 Naples or Como?

Naples is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Naples or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the gritty big city of Naples. 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.

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 Naples or Como?

The colorful city of Naples 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic 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 in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Naples or Como?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Naples 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 Naples 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 Naples or Como in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Naples as well as Como. The summer months attract visitors to Naples because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

Naples is around the same temperature as Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Naples averages around 23°C (74°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 Naples this time of the year. In the summer, Naples often gets more sunshine than Como. Naples gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Naples usually gets less rain in July than Como. Naples gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Naples or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Naples are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Naples this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Naples is a little warmer than Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Naples in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Naples usually receives more sunshine than Como during autumn. Naples gets 189 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 Naples. In October, Naples usually receives more rain than Como. Naples gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Naples or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Naples during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Naples for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Naples is generally much warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Naples average around 8°C (47°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Naples often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Naples gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. Naples usually gets more rain in January than Como. Naples gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Naples or Como in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Naples and Como. Many visitors come to Naples in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

Naples usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Como during spring. Naples gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Naples usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Naples gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Naples