A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Como for Food, Couples, Beaches, and Hiking

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

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a remote, serene, and tranquil archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and museums.

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Orkney Islands and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Como?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Como. Although Orkney Islands and Como are popular destinations, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is very popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Orkney Islands attracts visitors for its museums and beaches. Como is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Orkney Islands is famous for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Como?

Orkney Islands is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Orkney Islands. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

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 Orkney Islands or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Orkney Islands makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

Is Orkney Islands or Como Better for Nightlife?

Como is very good for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Como Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

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 Orkney Islands or Como Better for Hiking?

You'll find excellent hiking in both Orkney Islands and Como.

Many visitors go to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Como is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Como?

Como is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Como Better for Families?

Como is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Como. 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.

Orkney Islands is a family-friendly place to visit. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Is Orkney Islands or Como Better for Couples?

Como is renowned for couples. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Como has plenty to offer. 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.

Orkney Islands is a very popular place to visit for couples. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

Is Orkney Islands or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Orkney Islands and Como are excellent places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Orkney Islands. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Como. 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 Orkney Islands or Como Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orkney Islands and Como both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Orkney Islands offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Como has a few public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Orkney Islands or Como a more walkable city?

Como is great for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Orkney Islands or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

Families should spend more time in Como than Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands. 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 Como than Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Como?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Orkney Islands. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Como, you'll find nightlife and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Como?

Orkney Islands is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Como?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the serene destination of Orkney Islands. This archipelago offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the pristine archipelago of Orkney Islands. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lake area of Como. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 Orkney Islands and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Orkney Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Orkney Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands.

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

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands or Como?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Como. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Orkney Islands is much colder than Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Como during summer. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Orkney Islands usually receives less rain than Como. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Como. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Como in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Orkney Islands is much colder than Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orkney Islands in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Como. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in October than Como. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Como can be very cold during winter. Orkney Islands can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 4°C (39°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In January, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Como. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Orkney Islands during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Orkney Islands is much colder than Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Como. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets less rain in April than Como. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Orkney Islands