Which place is cheaper, Olympos or Varenna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Varenna or Olympos?
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 Olympos. 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 Olympos?
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!
Olympos
Olympos was an ancient city in Lycia, situated in a river valley near the coast. Its ruins are located south of the modern town Cirali in the Kumluca district of Antalya Province, Turkey. An important Lycian city in the 2nd century BC, Olympos is more famous these days for being the beach resort of choice for backpackers. Staying in an Olympos 'tree house' at one of the dozen-or-so camps that line the path to the ruins and beach has long been the stuff of travel legend. The former hippy-trail hot-spot has been considerably renovated in past years and during summer can be pretty overcrowded. Olympos offers good value and an up-for-it party atmosphere in a lovely setting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Turkey, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVarenna €164Olympos €89
The average daily cost (per person) in Varenna is €164, while the average daily cost in Olympos is €89. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Varenna and Olympos in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVarenna €86Olympos €40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVarenna €172Olympos €80
Compare Hotels in Varenna and Olympos
Looking for a hotel in Varenna or Olympos? 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 Olympos Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Varenna €34Olympos €28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varenna
Also for Varenna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Varenna : Private transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $358
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Olympos
Also for Olympos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Two Days Tour to Cappadocia with HB Hotel & Transfer from Kemer: $192
- Suluada Boat Tour From Antalya (Maldives of Turkey) with Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $20
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $22
- Scuba Diving Tour in Kemer with Lunch and Transfer: $40
- Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Beldibi & Göynük & Kemer Resorts: $240
- Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Çıralı & Olympos & Adrasan Resorts: $299
- Private Transfer From Beldibi / Göynük / Kemer / Kiriş To Antalya Airport: $91
- Kemer to Antalya Ariport (AYT) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Kemer to Antalya Ariport (AYT) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Kemer Suluada Boat Tour (Maldives of Turkey) With Hotel Transfer: $20
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip with transfer from Belek: $15
- Kemer Pirate Boat Trip With Lunch & Free Hotel Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Varenna or Olympos?
Prices for flights to both Olympos 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 €53Olympos €28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varenna
For Varenna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Olympos
For Olympos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Olympos, Cirali, Chimera Night Tour with Dinner at Ulupinar : $33
- Kemer Olympos & Yanartas Sunset Jeep Tour with Dinner: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Varenna €34Olympos €28
Tours and Activities in Varenna
For Varenna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bellagio: Private Tour on Vintage Wooden Boat: $664
- Lake Como: Grand Private Tour 5 hours Invictus boat: $1,551
- Private Luxury Boat Tour of Lake Como with Stops & Drinks: $491
- Sunset shared boat tour with aperitif from Varenna: $118
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $112
- Lake Como Shared Boat Tour: $32
- Lake Como Sightseeing Cruise (90 minutes): $43
- Picnic Experience in the Italian Alps: $150
Tours and Activities in Olympos
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Olympos.
- 2 Hour Olympos Cable Car Tour to Tahtali Mountains from Kemer: $66
- 2-in-1 Canyoning and White Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch From Kemer: $25
- 9 Hours Rafting, Buggy Safari and Zipline Adventure from Kemer: $38
- Antalya Full-Day City Tour From Kemer With Cable Car : $30
- Buggy Safari and Rafting Adventure from Kemer: $38
- Demre Myra Tour with Kekova Sunken City Boat Trip From Kemer: $36
- Full-day Boat Tour from Kemer with Lunch and Foam Party: $33
- Goynuk Canyon Tour with Entrance Ticket: $25
- Green Canyon Boat Tour with Lunch and Drinks from Kemer: $63
- Kemer 3 in 1 Tour Rafting Quad Safari and Zipline Experience: $40
- Kemer ATV Mountain Biking Tour: $54
- Kemer Bay Blue Cruise from Kemer: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVarenna €23Olympos €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Varenna
Also in Varenna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Castello di Vezio: $112
- Wine Tasting and Entry Ticket to Villa Monastero: $134
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varenna and Olympos, we can see that Varenna is more expensive. And not only is Olympos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Olympos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympos 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 Varenna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Varenna than you might in Olympos.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Varenna Expensive? and Is Olympos Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Varenna or Olympos?
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 Varenna or Olympos in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varenna and Olympos. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.
In July, Varenna is generally cooler than Olympos. Daily temperatures in Varenna average around 23°C (73°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Olympos this time of the year. In Varenna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Varenna usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during summer. Varenna gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 385 hours of full sun in the summer.
Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Varenna usually receives more rain than Olympos. Varenna gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVarenna 23°C (73°F)Olympos 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Varenna or Olympos in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Varenna as well as Olympos. Many travelers come to Varenna for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Varenna is cooler than Olympos in the autumn. The daily temperature in Varenna averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Olympos fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Olympos. In the autumn, Varenna often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Varenna gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 249 hours of full sun.
Varenna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Varenna usually gets more rain in October than Olympos. Varenna gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVarenna 15°C (58°F)Olympos 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Varenna or Olympos in the Winter?
Both Olympos and Varenna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Varenna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Varenna can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Varenna is much colder than Olympos. Typically, the winter temperatures in Varenna in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Olympos averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Varenna usually receives less sunshine than Olympos during winter. Varenna gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Olympos receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Varenna usually receives more rain than Olympos. Varenna gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVarenna 5°C (41°F)Olympos 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Varenna or Olympos in the Spring?
Both Olympos and Varenna during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Varenna for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Varenna is generally cooler than Olympos. Daily temperatures in Varenna average around 13°C (55°F), and Olympos fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Olympos, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Varenna often gets less sunshine than Olympos. Varenna gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympos receives 250 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. Varenna usually gets more rain in April than Olympos. Varenna gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Olympos receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVarenna 13°C (55°F)Olympos 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Olympos and Varenna
| Varenna | Olympos | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.