A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rouen vs. Como for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Rouen or Como?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Como? 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.

Rouen

Rouen is a impressive, relaxing, and historical city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a scenic, trendy, and fun lake area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Rouen and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Como?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Como than Rouen. While Rouen is larger than Como, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Rouen is known for its museums and historical sights. Como is more touristy than Rouen and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also home to the lakeside setting. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Rouen different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rouen 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 Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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 Rouen or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Como is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Rouen or Como Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Rouen and Como.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Como. 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 Rouen or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a popular place for the beache. However, Rouen is not a beach destination.

Como is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Rouen or Como Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Rouen or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Rouen is not a hiking destination.

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.

Rouen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Como?

Como is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Como make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Rouen or Como Better for Families?

Como is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Como is a very kid-friendly lake area. 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.

Rouen is a family-friendly city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Rouen or Como Better for Couples?

Como is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Como makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Rouen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Is Rouen or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Como is a great lake area to visit for backpackers. 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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen or Como a more walkable city?

Rouen and Como both are very good when exploring on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Rouen or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rouen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

Families should spend more time in Como than Rouen. 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 Rouen. 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Rouen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Como, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this fun destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Rouen or Como?

Rouen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Rouen or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Rouen. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Como is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Rouen or Como?

The compact city of Rouen offers nightlife and food. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, 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 Rouen and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Rouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rouen 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 Rouen.

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

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Como?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Rouen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Como in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rouen is cooler than Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Como, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rouen. In the summer, Rouen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Como. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Como. Many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Rouen is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Como during autumn. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Como receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Rouen usually receives less rain than Como. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rouen or Como in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Como. Most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Como because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Como can be very cold. Rouen can be very cold during winter. Rouen is cooler than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Como. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in January than Como. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In the spring, Rouen is cooler than Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Rouen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Como during spring. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rouen usually receives less rain than Como. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Rouen