A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Urbino vs. Como for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Urbino 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 Urbino 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.

Urbino

Urbino is a authentic, laid back, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. 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.

Urbino and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Urbino or Como?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Como. Although Urbino and Como are popular destinations, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Urbino attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Como is more touristy than Urbino and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Urbino is famous for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Urbino different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Urbino is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Urbino. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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 Urbino or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Urbino makes for a great culinary experience. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Urbino or Como Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Urbino and Como.

If you're looking for night time activities Urbino has a few options to choose from. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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 Urbino or Como Better for Beaches?

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

Urbino is not a beach destination.

Is Urbino or Como Better for its Old Town?

Urbino is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

Urbino has an old town worth visiting. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Urbino or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is great for hiking. However, Urbino 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.

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Urbino or Como?

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is a great destination for shopping. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Urbino or Como Better for Families?

Como is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Como. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Urbino or Como Better for Couples?

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for couples. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is a very popular place to visit for couples. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Urbino or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Urbino or Como Better for Students?

Urbino is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Urbino is a great town to visit as a student. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Como is a lake area with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Como offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Urbino or Como a more walkable city?

Como is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Urbino?

How long in Urbino or Como?

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Urbino. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Como. 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 Urbino or Como?

Urbino is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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 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 Urbino or Como?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of Urbino. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. 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 Urbino or Como?

The laid back town of Urbino offers nightlife and food. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the trendy destination of Como. This lake area 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Urbino and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Urbino much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Urbino would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Urbino 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 Urbino.

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

Which is Bigger, Urbino or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Urbino 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 Urbino 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 Urbino or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Urbino and Como. Most visitors come to Urbino for 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.

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

In July, Urbino usually receives more rain than Como. Urbino gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Urbino or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Urbino as well as Como. The autumn months attract visitors to Urbino because of 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, Urbino is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Urbino in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Como. Urbino usually gets less rain in October than Como. Urbino gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Urbino or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Urbino 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 Urbino 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. It's quite cold in Urbino in the winter. In January, Urbino is generally much colder than Como. Daily temperatures in Urbino average around 3°C (37°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In January, Urbino usually receives less rain than Como. Urbino gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Urbino or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Urbino during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Urbino for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Como in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

Urbino usually gets less rain in April than Como. Urbino gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Urbino