A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tenerife vs. Como for Food, Nightlife, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Tenerife or Como?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tenerife 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.

Tenerife

Tenerife is a adventure-filled, beautiful, and volcanic island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Como

Como is a trendy, fun, and vibrant lake area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Tenerife and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tenerife or Como?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tenerife than Como, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tenerife is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Como is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Tenerife is well known for its volcanic landscapes, built-up resorts, and fun-filled beaches. Also, Tenerife is famous for Mount Teide. Como is well known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers.

How is Tenerife different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Como is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tenerife is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Como specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

Tenerife offers a few options for museum-goers. The island is filled with national parks, beautiful landscapes, and stunning beaches, but if you're not into outdoor activities, then you won't find many museums or other historical sights to visit.

Is the Food Better in Tenerife or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Tenerife. Many visitors stick to the major touristy areas, eating in their resorts or other nearby restaurants. If you want to try a bit of the island's authentic Canarian cuisine, you'll need to do a little research. Head into the local areas near the markets for the best chance of finding something a little more authentic. Local dishes often include fish and seafood as well as local meats, but you'll rarely find beef as there isn't a lot of land for cows to graze on the island.

Is Tenerife or Como Better for Nightlife?

Tenerife is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Tenerife is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The island has a variety of nightclubs that range in style and personality. There are all night wild beach parties as well as laid back beach clubs and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Many bars have happy hours where you can relax with a drink and many nightclubs host famous DJs that keep the party going into the early morning hours.

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 Tenerife or Como Better for Resorts?

Tenerife is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Como is not a resort destination.

Tenerife is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find everything from world-class resorts like the Ritz to more budget-friendly hotels and even some hostels around the island. You'll find most of the resorts on the south side of the island, which is also where you'll find the best weather.

Como is not a resort destination.

Is Tenerife or Como Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tenerife is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Tenerife to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. A highlight of snorkeling in this area is the opportunity to swim with sea turtles. Some of the best snorkeling is in El Puertito, which is known for its many turtles and there is no shortage of organized snorkeling trips to the area. The island also has excellent scuba diving trips with a variety of shipwrecks and marine species.

Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tenerife or Como Better for Beaches?

Tenerife is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Tenerife. The island has a large number of beaches that attract tourists, particularly during the peak winter months. The island's volcanic nature means that many of its natural beaches have black sand. The golden sand from the more developed beaches typically comes from the Sahara Desert. A favorite beach on the island is the 2 kilometer long Playa de las Teresitas.

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.

Is Tenerife or Como Better for Hiking?

Tenerife is renowned for its hiking trails. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Known for its hiking, Tenerife draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The island's volcanic landscapes mean that there are dramatic and breathtaking hikes throughout the island. Some of the best hikes are found in the Anaga Rural Park, Teide National Park, and the Teno Mountains.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Tenerife or Como?

Como is very popular for shopping. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Tenerife is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The island's low tax rates make it a popular shopping destination for tourists. The are shopping streets, local markets, and luxury malls that you can explore.

Is Tenerife or Como Better for Families?

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

Tenerife is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. The island has many great waterparks for kids, with one of the best being Siam Park. Other family-friendly destinations include Aqualand, Loro Parque, Jungle Park, and Monkey Park. There are whale watching trips, outdoor adventures, and kid-friendly beaches as well.

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 Tenerife or Como Better for Couples?

Como is very popular for romance. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Couples visit Tenerife frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The natural beauty, great landscapes, and lively beaches make this a great island for a romantic getaway. There's hiking and outdoor adventures as well as swimming, boat rides, and even whale watching.

Is Tenerife or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

Tenerife is a good island to visit for backpackers. The island is large enough that there are a decent number of hostels and budget-friendly places to stay for backpackers.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Tenerife and Como.

Tenerife has some public transit options. The island has a decent bus service that is operated by a company called "TITSA".

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 Tenerife or Como a more walkable city?

Como is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Tenerife is a somewhat walkable place. There are many walks on the island that make for a fun way to explore the setting.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Tenerife?

How long in Tenerife or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Tenerife or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Tenerife due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tenerife, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

Couples should spend more time in Como than Tenerife. 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 Tenerife 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 Tenerife or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Tenerife. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Tenerife or Como?

Tenerife is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Tenerife or Como?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the beautiful destination of Tenerife. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Tenerife or Como?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic island of Tenerife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, 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 Tenerife and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Tenerife much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tenerife would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tenerife 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 Tenerife.

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

When is the best time to visit Tenerife or Como?

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 Tenerife or Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Tenerife are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Tenerife because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In July, Tenerife is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Tenerife average around 23°C (73°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Como. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tenerife. Tenerife usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Como during summer. Tenerife gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tenerife usually receives less rain than Como. Tenerife gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tenerife or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Tenerife during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tenerife this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Tenerife is much warmer than Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tenerife averages around 22°C (72°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Tenerife. In the autumn, Tenerife often gets more sunshine than Como. Tenerife gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

Como gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tenerife usually gets less rain in October than Como. Tenerife gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tenerife or Como in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tenerife and Como. Many travelers come to Tenerife for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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. In the winter, Tenerife is much warmer than Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tenerife in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Tenerife usually receives more sunshine than Como during winter. Tenerife gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tenerife usually receives less rain than Como. Tenerife gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tenerife or Como in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tenerife as well as Como. Many visitors come to Tenerife in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Tenerife is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Tenerife average around 18°C (64°F), and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tenerife this time of the year. In the spring, Tenerife often gets more sunshine than Como. Tenerife gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Tenerife usually gets less rain in April than Como. Tenerife gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Tenerife