A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rabat vs. Varenna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rabat or Varenna?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rabat and Varenna can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Rabat or Varenna?

Rabat

While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.

Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.

Varenna

A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Varenna or Rabat?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $44, while the average daily cost in Varenna is $176. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Rabat and Varenna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rabat $27
    Varenna $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rabat $54
    Varenna $184
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Varenna

Looking for a hotel in Rabat or Varenna? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Rabat


Hotels in Varenna


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Rabat Hotel Prices and Varenna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rabat $2.10
    Varenna $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:


  • Taxi to Sale
    $3.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat

Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Rabat to Tetouan: $145
  • Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
  • Transfer Rabat to Meknes: $102
  • Transfer Rabat to Fes: $115
  • Transfer Rabat to Essaouira: $262
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Tetouan: $230
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Tangier: $268
  • Transfer Private From Rabat to Fes: $185
  • Private Transfer from Rabat To Fez: $206
  • Private Transfer From Fez To Rabat: $206
  • Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $175
  • Private Airport Transfer to or from Casablanca: $138

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varenna

Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358

Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Varenna?

Prices for flights to both Varenna and Rabat change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rabat $12
    Varenna $57

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat

For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
  • Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
  • Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
  • Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
  • Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
  • Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
  • Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
  • Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varenna

For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rabat $2.84
    Varenna $36

Tours and Activities in Rabat

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.

  • 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
  • 9-Day Tour to Imperial Cities and Desert: $1,400
  • Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
  • Fes Full Day Private Tour from Rabat: $250
  • Fes Full-Day Private Tour from Rabat with hotel pickup : $131
  • From Casablanca:9Days Unforgettable Desert Tour To Marrakesh: $1,916
  • From Fez : Rabat : Day Trip (Shared Group Tour): $103
  • From 4 Days 3 Nights Sahara Desert Tour: $717
  • From Tangier Guided Day Tour by High-Speed Train: $105
  • Gems of Rabat Walking Tour: $115
  • Luxury Morocco: 5-Day Private Guided Tour from Casablanca: $1,391
  • Private Boat Exploration Tour In Rabat: $82

Tours and Activities in Varenna

For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
  • Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
  • Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
  • Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
  • Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
  • Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
  • Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
  • Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rabat -
    Varenna $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Varenna

Also in Varenna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
  • Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Varenna, we can see that Varenna is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rabat is in Africa and Varenna is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna than you might in Rabat.

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


Which is Bigger, Rabat or Varenna?

Rabat has a larger population, and is about 1960 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Rabat and Varenna, 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 Rabat or Varenna?

Varenna has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Rabat or Varenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rabat and Varenna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round. Also, many travelers come to Varenna for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Varenna this time of the year. In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during summer. Rabat gets 315 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Rabat usually receives less rain than Varenna. Rabat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rabat 23°C (73°F) 
    Varenna 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Varenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rabat as well as Varenna. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Rabat is a little warmer than Varenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rabat in October average around 20°C (67°F), and Varenna averages at about 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In the autumn, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Rabat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Rabat usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Rabat gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rabat 20°C (67°F) 
    Varenna 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Rabat are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Varenna can be very cold during winter. In January, Rabat is generally much warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 13°C (56°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during winter. Rabat gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rabat usually receives around the same amount of rain as Varenna. Rabat gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rabat 13°C (56°F) 
    Varenna 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Rabat or Varenna in the Spring?

Both Varenna and Rabat during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Varenna because of the natural beauty.

Rabat is a little warmer than Varenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Rabat. In the spring, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Rabat gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun.

Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rabat usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Rabat gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rabat 16°C (60°F) 
    Varenna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Varenna and Rabat

Rabat Varenna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 5°C (41°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 6°C (44°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (49°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 25 mm (1 in) 17°C (62°F) 194 mm (7.6 in)
Jun 20°C (69°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 20°C (69°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 23°C (73°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 22°C (72°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 15°C (58°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Nov 16°C (62°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 9°C (49°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 102 mm (4 in) 6°C (42°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)


Related Articles for Rabat
Related Articles for Varenna