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

Should you visit Salzburg or Como?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Como, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a recognizable, historic, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Como

Como is a scenic, trendy, and fun lake area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Salzburg and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Como. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Salzburg is very popular for its museums, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Como attracts visitors for its food, beaches, and hiking. Salzburg is famous for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Como is famous for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Salzburg is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

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 Salzburg or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Como is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Salzburg or Como Better for Nightlife?

Both Salzburg and Como are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

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 Salzburg or Como Better for Music?

Salzburg is renowned for its music scene. However, Como is not a live music destination.

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Como is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Como has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Salzburg or Como Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Salzburg is one of the most recognized in the world. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Salzburg or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Como?

Both Salzburg and Como are amazing shopping destinations.

Salzburg is a world class destination for shoppers. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Como. 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.

Is Salzburg or Como Better for Families?

Salzburg and Como are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Como is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Salzburg or Como Better for Couples?

Salzburg and Como are both amazing to visit as a couple.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Como is a great city for couples, as it 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.

Is Salzburg or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Salzburg and Como are superb destinations for backpackers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Como is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Salzburg or Como Better for Students?

Salzburg is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Salzburg is a great destination for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around 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 Salzburg or Como a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Como both are superb when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Salzburg or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Salzburg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Como 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 Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Como?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Salzburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful lake area of Como offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Como?

Salzburg is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this lake area makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Como, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the musical destination of Salzburg. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Como is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Como?

The cultural city of Salzburg offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Como is a great place to explore. 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. This lake area offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, 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 Salzburg and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Salzburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salzburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salzburg 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 Salzburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Como?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Salzburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

Salzburg is cooler than Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Como, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salzburg. In the summer, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Como. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Como. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Como. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Salzburg is cooler than Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Como during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 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, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Como. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Como in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Como. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Salzburg. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Como. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Como. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in January than Como. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Salzburg is cooler than Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Como during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Como. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Salzburg