Should you visit Varenna or Bergamo?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Varenna and Bergamo. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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!
Bergamo
The blue horizon, now flush with the pinks and purples of a waning day, cloaks the Alps in a mystic blush, only able to view its peaks through faded outlines. Proud, ancient Romanesque architecture surrounds you, and the city feels no more palpable than that of a summer dream. Bergamo, Italy is located in the Lombardy region, northeast of the Italian city Milan. Deemed a treasure in Northern Italy, Bergamo is divided into two centers: the Alta (upper) city and the Bassa (lower) cities, loosely connected by funicular and walking trails. From its cobblestone streets to its Venetian walls, Bergamo is an ancient Italian paradise with many historic sights to be explored, such as Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the grand Cappella Colleoni. Breathtaking views, fine dining, high-tier boutiques and shops - it is no wonder that this beguiling city attracts tourists from all walks of life. Whether you look to explores it fine art museums or simply lounge languidly about a cafe, Bergamo is a city that can bring both divert and delight!
Which city is cheaper, Bergamo or Varenna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Varenna is €131, while the average daily cost in Bergamo is €124. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Varenna and Bergamo in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Varenna, €138 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Varenna, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €69, such as in a hostel.
A hotel room in Bergamo is about €134 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Varenna than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €27 on transportation in Varenna on average per day.
The average price of local transportation around Bergamo is €26 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varenna
Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Varenna/Bellano/Lierna to/from Milan Malpensa Apt (private transfer):
$243
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bergamo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergamo:
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Milan: Private Transfer Between Bergamo Airport and Milan:
$178
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Bergamo International Airport to the City - One Way:
$34
Is it cheaper to fly into Varenna or Bergamo?
Prices for flights to both Bergamo 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
The average traveler spends about €42 per day in Varenna for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in Bergamo cost around €34 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €14.
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Food
Meals for one day
Varenna €42
Bergamo €34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varenna
For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Varenna:
$106
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Small-group Street food tour in Varenna:
$111
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Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Varenna:
$162
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Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Varenna:
$180
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Private cooking class at a local's home with lunch or dinner in Varenna:
$180
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Cruise and Dinner on Lake Como from Varenna:
$184
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Market Tour and Home Cooking Class with Meal:
$214
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bergamo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bergamo.
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Do Eat Better Experience - Bergamo Traditional food tour:
$96
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Cooking Class with a Local Chef in Bergamo:
$98
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Dining experience at a local's home in Bergamo with show cooking:
$106
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Small-group Street food tour in Bergamo:
$111
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Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Bergamo:
$162
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Market tour and lunch or dinner at a local's home in Bergamo:
$173
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Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at Cesarina's home with tasting in Bergamo:
$180
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Private cooking class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Bergamo:
$180
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Local market visit and private cooking class at a Cesarina's home in Bergamo:
$267
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Varenna, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €27 per day, per person.
Bergamo's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €26 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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HIKING TOUR: VARENNA, Castle of VEZIO Villa MONASTERO, FIUMELATTE:
$74
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Dining Experience at a Local's Home:
$96
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Small Group Market tour and Dining Experience at a Cesarina's home in Varenna:
$136
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E-Bike Experience on Lake Como East Bank:
$138
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LA DOLCE VITA - BELLAGIO: Cruise & Lunch + Villa Melzi:
$243
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From Milan: Semi-Private Lake Como Day Trip with Cruise:
$271
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Romantic Tour:
$322
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Villa Balbianello and Flavors of Lake Como Walking and Boating Full-Day Tour:
$325
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LA DOLCE VITA - BELLAGIO: Cruise & Lunch + Villa Melzi (Guided Tour):
$330
Tours and Activities in Bergamo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bergamo are as follows:
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2.5-hour Private Bergamo Walking Tour:
$348
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Bergamo Upper Town Walking Tour and Funicolar Ride with Local Guide:
$48
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Bergamo the Lower Town: private walking tour with a guide:
$348
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2.5-Hour Private Upper Town Tour:
$125
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2.5-hour private tour of the Lower Town:
$137
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2.5-hour private walking tour of the Upper Town:
$137
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Highlights of Bergamo Upper Town Private Walking Tour with Old "Funicolare" Ride:
$190
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Highlights of Bergamo Upper Town: Walking Tour with Local Guide & Funicular Ride:
$49
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Name your recipe: food market tour and workshop with a Cesarina in Bergamo:
$193
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Quick Overview: Bergamo Upper Town Small Group Walking Tour with Funicolar Ride:
$49
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Small Group Market tour and Dining Experience at a Cesarina's home in Bergamo:
$136
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Varenna spend on average €18 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about €18 on alcoholic beverages in Bergamo per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Bergamo
Also in Bergamo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Franciacorta Wine Tasting and Shopping Tour from Bergamo:
$73
When comparing the travel costs between Varenna and Bergamo, we can see that Varenna is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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