A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint-Etienne vs. Varenna for Food, Couples, Hiking, and Attractions

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Varenna. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Varenna

Varenna is a scenic, pristine, and beautiful village. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, food, and hiking.

Saint-Etienne and Varenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Varenna than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Varenna is better known for its food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its nightlife. Varenna is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its beautiful location by Lake Como. Also, Varenna is famous for Lake Como. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

Lake Como

How is Saint-Etienne different from Varenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Saint-Etienne and Varenna.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Varenna. Most people visit the town for its beautiful setting on Lake Como. There are some popular sights around town though such as the Church of San Giorgio and Castello di Vezio.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Varenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Varenna is an amazing village to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Varenna, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Despite the touristy nature of the town, the restaurants are surprisingly good and you'll find some excellent Italian food around town.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Varenna Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Varenna is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Varenna is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The best way to enjoy the evening is to head to a restaurant and spend the time sipping wine in a laid back setting.

Is Saint-Etienne or Varenna Better for Hiking?

Varenna is great for hiking. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Varenna for the hiking trails. There are lakefront trails and other hiking options near town. The Lungolago di Varenna - Baia di Varenna loop follows the water and makes for a pleasant stroll.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

Varenna is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Varenna. The streets are lined with artisan shops and boutique venders that are fun to explore.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Varenna Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Varenna are notable family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Varenna is a family-friendly place to visit. The charming village has play areas for children and the beautiful Villa Monastero, which are gardens that they'll enjoy exploring. It's also worth visiting the Castle of Vezio.

Is Saint-Etienne or Varenna Better for Couples?

Varenna is an amazing village to visit for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Varenna is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful village has a romantic atmosphere with a "lovers promenade" and many stunning views. It makes the perfect couples trip, whether you're on your honeymoon or just need some time away.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Varenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Varenna is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Varenna. There are some hostels and guesthouses that cater to budget travelers. There's also plenty of outdoor activities that are free.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Varenna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne and Varenna both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Varenna has a few public transit options. The town is easily accessible by public transit and once you're in town you can walk everywhere.

Is Saint-Etienne or Varenna a more walkable city?

Varenna is an amazing village to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Varenna is a very easy village to get around on foot. Everything is walkable and the town is best explored on foot.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Varenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Varenna or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne or Varenna to fill your time. In our opinion, Varenna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Varenna than Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Varenna than Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Varenna that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Varenna than Saint-Etienne 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 Varenna.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Varenna. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Varenna. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Varenna. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This village offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful village of Varenna. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Varenna?

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 Saint-Etienne or Varenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Varenna. The summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Varenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°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 Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 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, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Varenna. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Varenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Varenna. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Varenna for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Varenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Varenna averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Varenna. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in October than Varenna. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Varenna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Varenna can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Varenna during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Varenna. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Varenna in the Spring?

Both Varenna and Saint-Etienne during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Varenna for the natural beauty during these months.

Saint-Etienne is cooler than Varenna in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Varenna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Varenna. Saint-Etienne gets 174 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. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in April than Varenna. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Varenna and Saint-Etienne