Which city is cheaper, Bellagio or Varenna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Varenna vs. Bellagio for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Varenna or Bellagio?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Varenna and Bellagio. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Varenna or Bellagio?
Varenna
A golden light cascades from the heavens, bathing the misty blue mountains in a honey haze. The shivering waters of Lake Como blend the gentle blues and yellows of the sky to a tea rose pink that sits under white sailboats. A quaint village hustled around lush gardens, Varenna, Italy is an attractive fishing village that dates back to the eleventh century. Founded in 769 AD by fisherman, the town was originally destroyed in 1126 AD by the rival town Como, only to be restored refugees from the Isola Comacina whose town was also destroyed. Located on the eastern shore of the lake in the province of Lecco, Varenna is filled with a romantic air from its old Italian fisherman houses to the picturesque lanes. Unlike the towns of Bellagio or Milan, Varenna holds a particular authenticity to Italian culture without the burdens of tourist-ridden streets and hotel-packed areas. As Lake Como works as the main attraction of Varenna, the village provides its visitors with a wide array of entertainment on its pebbly beaches. Besides this, Varenna is also known for its exquisite gardens of two villas, Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi. Besides this, Varenna also has museums just waiting to be explored. Take a tranquil retreat to Varenna!
Bellagio
Bellagio is a small town on the coast of Lake Como. It is known for it's small, historic town center with historical Italian architecture, the beautiful coastline, good cuisine, and relaxed atmosphere.
The town itself is not cheap, as prices here tend to be high for pretty much everything. That's generally because Bellagio offers to much to visitors that it draws a decent crowd of tourists.
With lovely gardens, nice restaurants of all prices ranges, and beautiful scenes everywhere you look, this town is worth a visit.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarenna €131Bellagio €178
The average daily cost (per person) in Varenna is €131, while the average daily cost in Bellagio is €178. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Varenna and Bellagio in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarenna €69Bellagio €133
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarenna €138Bellagio €266
Compare Hotels in Varenna and Bellagio
Looking for a hotel in Varenna or Bellagio? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Varenna Hotel Prices and Bellagio Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varenna €27Bellagio €7.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varenna
Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varenna/Bellano/Lierna to/from Milan Malpensa Apt (private transfer): $243
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bellagio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bellagio:
- Bellagio/Lezzeno/Oliveto Lario to/from Milan Malpensa Apt (Private Transfer): $243
- Bellagio Private Transfer from Bellagio (Como) to Milan Airport (MPX or LIN): $387
- Bellagio - Malpensa Airport Milan (MXP) / Private Departure Van Transfer: $66
- Bellagio - Malpensa Airport Milan (MXP) / Private Departure Car Transfer: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Varenna or Bellagio?
Prices for flights to both Bellagio and Varenna change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayVarenna €42Bellagio €36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varenna
For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Varenna: $106
- Small-group Street food tour in Varenna: $111
- Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Varenna: $162
- Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Varenna: $180
- Private cooking class at a local's home with lunch or dinner in Varenna: $180
- Cruise and Dinner on Lake Como from Varenna: $184
- Market Tour and Home Cooking Class with Meal: $214
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bellagio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bellagio.
- Virtual Italian Cooking Class with Chef Luigi Gandola: $160
- Cooking Lesson in Bellagio: $253
- Private Virtual Cooking Class with Chef Luigi Gandola: $299
- Cheese Cooking Class and Cheese Tasting with Chef Luigi Gandola: $316
- Private Dinner in cellar by Chef Luigi Gandola Gourmet Menu and Expensive Wine: $423
- Private Cooking Lesson with Chef Luigi Gandola in Bellagio: $695
- An exclusive cooking class in Bellagio, on lake Como: $756
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varenna €27Bellagio -
Tours and Activities in Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- HIKING TOUR: VARENNA, Castle of VEZIO Villa MONASTERO, FIUMELATTE: $74
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $96
- Small Group Market tour and Dining Experience at a Cesarina's home in Varenna: $136
- E-Bike Experience on Lake Como East Bank: $138
- LA DOLCE VITA - BELLAGIO: Cruise & Lunch + Villa Melzi: $243
- From Milan: Semi-Private Lake Como Day Trip with Cruise: $271
- Romantic Tour: $322
- Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour: $325
- LA DOLCE VITA - BELLAGIO: Cruise & Lunch + Villa Melzi (Guided Tour): $330
Tours and Activities in Bellagio
Here are a few actual costs in Bellagio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Experience in Villa Melzi & lunch in Bellagio: $243
- Bellagio & Varenna, Lake Como, private guided tour: $137
- Bellagio Local Food Tasting E-Bike Tour: $146
- Bellagio Walking Tour, Villa Melzi & Lunch: $121
- Vintage Wooden Boat Rowing Experience on Lake Como: $199
- Bernina Express Red Train Tour - The world's most spectacular railway routes: $479
- Beyond Bellagio Hiking Tour: $153
- Boat Tour - Historic Villas: $414
- Boat Tour - Villa del Balbianello: $495
- Boat tour - Wonderful Lake Como: $856
- E-Bike Tour from Bellagio plus tastings and Villa Melzi: $181
- Group Bike Tour: Onno & Ghisallino (E-bikes and Road bikes): $106
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarenna €18Bellagio €15
Sample the Local Flavors in Bellagio
Also in Bellagio, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting in Bellagio with Chef Luigi Gandola: $212
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varenna and Bellagio, we can see that Bellagio is more expensive. And not only is Varenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Varenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varenna 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 Bellagio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bellagio than you might in Varenna.
When is the best time to visit Varenna or Bellagio?
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 Varenna or Bellagio in the Summer?
Both Bellagio and Varenna during the summer are popular places to visit.
Varenna is around the same temperature as Bellagio in the summer. The temperature in Varenna is usually 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bellagio stays around 23°C (73°F).
In Bellagio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Varenna. In the summer, Varenna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bellagio. Varenna gets 250 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bellagio receives 250 hours of full sun.
Bellagio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. Varenna usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bellagio. Varenna gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Bellagio receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarenna 23°C (73°F)Bellagio 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Varenna or Bellagio in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Varenna and Bellagio.
In the autumn, Varenna is around the same temperature as Bellagio. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Varenna in October are around 15°C (58°F), and Bellagio is about 15°C (58°F).
Varenna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bellagio during autumn. Varenna gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Bellagio receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Bellagio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Varenna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bellagio. Varenna gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Bellagio receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarenna 15°C (58°F)Bellagio 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Varenna or Bellagio in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Varenna as well as Bellagio.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bellagio. It's quite cold in Varenna in the winter. In January, Varenna is generally around the same temperature as Bellagio. Temperatures in Varenna average around 5°C (41°F), and Bellagio stays around 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Varenna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bellagio. Varenna gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bellagio receives 119 hours of full sun.
Varenna usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bellagio. Varenna gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bellagio receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarenna 5°C (41°F)Bellagio 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Varenna or Bellagio in the Spring?
Both Bellagio and Varenna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Varenna is around the same temperature as Bellagio in the spring. The temperature in Varenna is usually 13°C (55°F) in April, and Bellagio stays around 13°C (55°F).
Varenna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bellagio during spring. Varenna gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Bellagio receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bellagio. It's quite rainy in Varenna. In April, Varenna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bellagio. Varenna gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Bellagio receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarenna 13°C (55°F)Bellagio 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Bellagio and Varenna
| Varenna | Bellagio | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
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