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

Should you visit Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a dynamic, historic, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulouse and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toulouse than Como. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toulouse is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Como attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Como is more touristy than Toulouse and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Toulouse is famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also well known for Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toulouse 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 Toulouse can be an interesting and educational experience. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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 Toulouse or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Toulouse and Como offer a number of first-rate restaurants to choose from.

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

Eat your way through Como, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Toulouse or Como Better for Nightlife?

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

Toulouse has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

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 Toulouse or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a lake area with good options for the beach. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Toulouse or Como Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Toulouse to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Toulouse or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is great for hiking. However, Toulouse is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Como for the hiking trails. 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.

Toulouse is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Como?

Como is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Como specifically to go shopping. 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.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Toulouse or Como Better for Families?

Both Toulouse and Como are high quality to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toulouse. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse or Como Better for Couples?

Como is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Como is a great lake area 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.

Toulouse is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Is Toulouse or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Como. 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Como Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Toulouse. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Toulouse and Como both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Como has a few public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Toulouse or Como a more walkable city?

Toulouse and Como are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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 Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Toulouse or Como. In our opinion, Como has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Como than Toulouse. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Toulouse. 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 Toulouse or Como?

Toulouse is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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.

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 Toulouse or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Toulouse. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 Toulouse or Como?

The friendly city of Toulouse offers nightlife and food. 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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, 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 Toulouse and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Toulouse much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toulouse would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toulouse 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 Toulouse.

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

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Como?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Como. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the city activities 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.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. In Toulouse, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulouse usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Como. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toulouse or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Como. The autumn months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping 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 the autumn, Toulouse is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulouse in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Toulouse often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Toulouse usually gets less rain in October than Como. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Como. In January, Toulouse is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 6°C (44°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Como. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toulouse or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Toulouse during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Toulouse often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Como. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in April than Como. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Toulouse