A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Toulon vs. Lake Garda for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Toulon or Lake Garda?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Toulon and Lake Garda can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a off-the-beaten-path, real world, and industrial port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a scenic, playful, and fun lake. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulon and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Lake Garda?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lake Garda. Although Toulon and Lake Garda are popular destinations, Lake Garda has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lake Garda is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Toulon attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, and shopping. Lake Garda is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. It is also well known for Sirmione. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Toulon different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toulon or Lake Garda?

Both Toulon and Lake Garda have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Toulon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

Lake Garda offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

Is the Food Better in Toulon or Lake Garda? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lake Garda is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lake Garda makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Lake Garda offers plenty to do in the evening. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lake Garda is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Lake Garda is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beache.

Lake Garda is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Lake Garda is a popular spot for hiking. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Lake Garda?

Toulon is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is one of the most popular family destinations. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

Toulon is a family-friendly port city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Lake Garda is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

Lake Garda is a very popular place to visit for couples. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Toulon and Lake Garda are nice destinations for backpackers.

Toulon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

It's common for backpackers to visit Lake Garda. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lake Garda is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Lake Garda is fairly effecient and thorough. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Toulon or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Toulon and Lake Garda both are great when exploring on foot.

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

Lake Garda is a very walkable port city. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Toulon Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Lake Garda?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lake Garda than Toulon 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Toulon or Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the real world port city of Toulon, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toulon, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lake Garda. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Toulon or Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Toulon, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Lake Garda is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toulon or Lake Garda?

Toulon, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toulon or Lake Garda?

Toulon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Lake Garda. This lake offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toulon and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Toulon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toulon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toulon 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda than you might in Toulon.

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

When is the best time to visit Toulon or Lake Garda?

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 Toulon or Lake Garda in the Summer?

Both Lake Garda and Toulon during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Toulon is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Toulon in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Lake Garda, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulon. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Lake Garda. The autumn months attract visitors to Toulon because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

In October, Toulon is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 16°C (61°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulon usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Lake Garda in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Lake Garda. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lake Garda. Toulon is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Lake Garda in the Spring?

Both Lake Garda and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Toulon is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Toulon in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Toulon