A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Portofino vs. Brescia for Couples, Food, Nightlife, and Attractions

Should you visit Portofino or Brescia?

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

Should I visit Portofino or Brescia? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Portofino

Portofino is a luxurious, glamorous, and picturesque seaside village. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, nightlife, and food.

Brescia

Brescia is a under-rated, historic, and undisovered city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Portofino and Brescia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portofino or Brescia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Portofino. Although Portofino and Brescia are popular destinations, Portofino has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portofino is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Brescia attracts visitors for its museums. Portofino is more touristy than Brescia and is known for its picturesque harbor, high end shopping, strikingly blue waters, and popularity with superyachts. It is also well known for its scenic harbor. Brescia is famous for its historic and archeological sights.

Its scenic harbor

How is Portofino different from Brescia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portofino or Brescia?

Brescia is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Portofino is a mediocre seaside village for its museums and history.

Brescia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some great museums and historic sights around town such as the Museum of Art and History, Tempio Capitolino, the Roman Theater, and Duomo Nuovo.

While most people don't head to Portofino specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The village is mostly about soaking up the atmosphere, but you can also visit sights such as Sun Church of St. George and Cervara Abbey.

Is the Food Better in Portofino or Brescia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Portofino and Brescia can be an enjoyable experience.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Portofino. Located by the sea, you'll enjoy tons of great seafood here. Make sure you try the mussels, swordfish, and salt cod.

Brescia has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Much of the cuisine has its roots in peasant recipes, but many have been incorporated into fine dining and specialty experiences. The dishes come from the countryside and use many local ingredients. Bigoi Col Pestöm (a local pasta), Casoncelli Alla Bresciana (stuffed pasta), and polenta are all favorites in the area.

Is Portofino or Brescia Better for Nightlife?

Portofino is well known for nightlife. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Portofino is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Most of the nightlife is found around Piazzetta (Oliveri Square) and Molo Umberto I. Happy hours (aperitivo) start around 5pm or 6pm and then as the evening continues, the party often moves to Paraggi Beach.

If you're looking for night time activities Brescia has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of clubs and bars that make for a fun night out.

Is Portofino or Brescia Better for Resorts?

Portofino is renowned for its resorts. However, Brescia is not a resort destination.

Portofino offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Known for it's exclusive luxury, there are a number of high end resorts in the area. Popular options include Splendido, Sublimis Boutique Hotel, and Grand Hotel Miramare.

Brescia is not a resort destination.

Is Portofino or Brescia Better for Beaches?

Portofino is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Brescia is not a beach destination.

Portofino has a beach worth visiting. Like much of the Italian coast, the beaches in the area are dramatic and beautiful. They're also rocky and pebbly and can get a bit crowded during the summer months.

Brescia is not a beach destination.

Is Portofino or Brescia Better for its Old Town?

Portofino is well known for its historic old town. However, Brescia does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Portofino to see the historical old town. Despite evolving into a famous resort town, Portofino still holds on to its fishing village charm.

Brescia does not have a historic old town.

Is Portofino or Brescia Better for Hiking?

Portofino is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Brescia is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Portofino. There are many beautiful hikes and treks along the coastline that pass by scenic landscapes and breathtaking views.

Brescia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Portofino or Brescia?

Both Portofino and Brescia are very good shopping destinations.

Portofino is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The quaint cobblestone streets are lined with high end boutiques that target the opulent jet-setter crowd that frequents Portofino. Much of the shopping is around Martiri dell'Olivetta Square.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Brescia. It's a small city, but there are a number of fashion brands found around town. Via Gramsci, Corso Magenta, Via Mazzini, and Via X Giornate are among the best shopping streets.

Is Portofino or Brescia Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Portofino or Brescia as a family destination.

Portofino is not the most family-friendly destination. The town has a picturesque setting and some beautiful pebbly beaches. It's fun for kids to run around the town, explore by kayak, or play in the waters edge.

Brescia is not always a place people visit with their families. There are several parks and swimming pools that the kids will enjoy as well as a castle and lots of archeology.

Is Portofino or Brescia Better for Couples?

Portofino is renowned for romance. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Portofino has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Set beautifully against the ocean's edge, this famous Italian town makes for a truly romantic holiday. Ogle the mega yachts in the harbor and then wander the charming streets while you soak in the atmosphere.

Brescia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's location near Lake Garda and its rich history and plethora of archeological sites make this a nice destination for couples.

Is Portofino or Brescia Better for Students?

Brescia is a popular place for students. However, Portofino is not popular with students.

Brescia is a good city to visit for students. This is an affordable and interesting city for students. It's also in a beautiful setting, which makes for a nice experience.

Portofino is not popular with students.

Is Portofino or Brescia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brescia is a popular place for its public transit. However, Portofino is a mediocre seaside village for times when you don't have a car.

Brescia has a few public transit options. There are buses and light rail to help you get around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Portofino. The closet train stations are Santa Margherita Ligure and Camogli. You can catch a bus from the Santa Margherita train station. There are also some ferry options.

Is Portofino or Brescia a more walkable city?

Portofino is renowned for its walkability. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Portofino on foot is easy. It's easy to walk around the village and then explore the countryside on one of the nearby trails.

Brescia is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are easy to walk around.

For even more information, also check out Is Portofino Worth Visiting? and Is Brescia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Brescia or Portofino?

How long in Portofino or Brescia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Portofino or Brescia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Portofino than Brescia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Portofino, and 1-2 days is enough time in Brescia.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portofino than Brescia 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 Portofino.

One day in Portofino or Brescia?

Portofino is a small town with plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This seaside village offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Brescia. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brescia has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Portofino or Brescia?

Portofino might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Portofino has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Brescia. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Portofino or Brescia?

Portofino is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Portofino has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the undisovered city of Brescia. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Portofino or Brescia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portofino. Since Portofino is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Brescia is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portofino and Brescia, we can see that Portofino is more expensive. And not only is Brescia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Brescia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brescia 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 Portofino would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portofino than you might in Brescia.

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

Which is Bigger, Portofino or Brescia?

Brescia has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Portofino. When comparing the sizes of Portofino and Brescia, 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.