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

Should you visit Stockholm or Como?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Stockholm and Como 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.

Stockholm

Stockholm is a beautiful, clean, and coastal city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Como

Como is a fun, vibrant, and scenic lake area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Stockholm and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stockholm or Como?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Stockholm than Como, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Stockholm is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, and big city activities, while Como is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and shopping. Como is more touristy than Stockholm and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Stockholm is popular for its many bridges and water culture, its open air museum, and its colorful old town. It is also home to Gamla Stan (the old town).

Gamla Stan (the old town)

How is Stockholm different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Stockholm 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 Stockholm can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights and museums include the Vasa Museum, the Skansen Open-Air Museum, and the Royal Palace.

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 Stockholm or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Stockholm is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Como have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Stockholm is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most famous for its Swedish meatballs, there is so much more to the food scene in this city. Although they're expensive, the restaurants often have a relaxed atmosphere with dishes that take advantage of local, fresh ingredients. Seafood is obviously popular as well.

Is Stockholm or Como Better for Nightlife?

Stockholm is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Stockholm has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is a particularly fun place to visit during the summer months when clubs open outdoor areas and parties happen day and night.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Stockholm or Como Better for Music?

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

Stockholm has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city has an amazing music scene that includes international groups and DJs, local venues, and popular festivals.

Como is not a live music destination.

Is Stockholm or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a lake area with good options for the beache. However, Stockholm is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Como. 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.

Stockholm is not a beach destination.

Is Stockholm or Como Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Stockholm is one of the most recognized in the world. Right in the middle of the city is Gamla Stan. It's spread out over a hill and filled with character, cobblestone streets, cafes, and historical sights.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Stockholm or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Stockholm is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Como. 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.

Stockholm is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Stockholm or Como?

Como is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Stockholm is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Stockholm. Right by Gamla Stan, you'll find the city's main shopping street of Drottninggatan. The city has great jewelry and artisan crafts.

Is Stockholm or Como Better for Families?

Stockholm is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Stockholm is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. As cities go, this is among the most child-friendly in Europe. There are many unique activities like Junibacken, which is a Pippi Longstocking themed kid's museum. There's also Tom Tits Experiment, which is a hands on science and technology museum, the swimming pools at Eriksdalsbadet, and the amusement park Gröna Lund.

Como is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Stockholm or Como Better for Couples?

Both Stockholm and Como are first-rate destinations for a couple's getaway.

Stockholm is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The city is filled with romance, from wandering around Gamla Stan to taking a dinner cruise or exploring a rose garden. During the winter months, the Christmas markets and festive atmosphere bring the city to life.

Como is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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 Stockholm or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is well known for backpackers. Also, Stockholm is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Stockholm. While the city has a lot to offer, many backpackers avoid the area because it is so expensive. There are some hostels, but in general food and entertainment are all going to cost a lot.

Is Stockholm or Como Better for Students?

Stockholm is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Stockholm. The cost of the city scares off many international students, but those that come here will find a clean, safe, and fun city with excellent academics.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Stockholm is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Stockholm has a great public transit system. The system is efficient with bus lines, metro, commuter rails, trams and ferries.

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 Stockholm or Como a more walkable city?

Stockholm is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Stockholm. The city has actively worked to create a walkable environment that is safe and pleasant. There are restrictions on vehicles as well as pedestrian-only areas.

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 Stockholm Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Stockholm?

How long in Stockholm or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Stockholm or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Stockholm due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Stockholm, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como than Stockholm 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 Stockholm or Como?

Stockholm is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the lake area of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Stockholm or Como?

Stockholm is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the fun destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this lake area has to offer. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stockholm or Como?

Stockholm is a clean big city where you can fill many days. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the trendy lake area of Como. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stockholm or Como?

Stockholm is a coastal city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Como is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Budget Tours to Sweden, The Best Tours for Seniors to Sweden, 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 Stockholm and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Stockholm much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Stockholm would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Stockholm 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 Stockholm.

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

Which is Bigger, Stockholm or Como?

Stockholm has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Stockholm 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 Stockholm 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 Stockholm or Como in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Stockholm as well as Como. Most visitors come to Stockholm for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Stockholm is cooler than Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Stockholm in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Como. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Stockholm this time of the year. In the summer, Stockholm often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Stockholm gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Stockholm usually gets more rain in July than Como. Stockholm gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stockholm or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Stockholm are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Stockholm because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In October, Stockholm is generally much colder than Como. Daily temperatures in Stockholm average around 8°C (46°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Stockholm usually receives less sunshine than Como during autumn. Stockholm gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Como. In October, Stockholm usually receives less rain than Como. Stockholm gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stockholm or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Stockholm during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stockholm this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Como. It's quite cold in Stockholm in the winter. Stockholm is much colder than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Stockholm averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Stockholm often gets less sunshine than Como. Stockholm gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Stockholm usually gets less rain in January than Como. Stockholm gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stockholm or Como in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Stockholm and Como. Many travelers come to Stockholm for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Como in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Stockholm is much colder than Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Stockholm in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Stockholm usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Como during spring. Stockholm gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stockholm usually receives less rain than Como. Stockholm gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Stockholm