A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Varenna vs. Playa del Ingles for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Varenna or Playa del Ingles?

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 Playa del Ingles. 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 Playa del Ingles?

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!

Playa del Ingles

Translating to "Englishman's Beach," Playa del Ingles is a sea resort located on the south coast of the Gran Canaria island of Spain's Canary Islands. Since the 1960s it has been built up to accommodate tourists from around the world, especially from Europe. Some of the most popular attractions include an abundance of bars and clubs as well as beachside activities like swimming, surfing, scuba, and snorkeling.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Playa del Ingles or Varenna?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Varenna is €164, while the average daily cost in Playa del Ingles is €180. 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 Playa del Ingles in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Varenna 86
    Playa del Ingles 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Varenna 172
    Playa del Ingles 186
Compare Hotels in Varenna and Playa del Ingles

Looking for a hotel in Varenna or Playa del Ingles? 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.

Hotels in Varenna


Hotels in Playa del Ingles


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Varenna 34
    Playa del Ingles 61

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Varenna or Playa del Ingles?

Prices for flights to both Playa del Ingles 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Varenna 53
    Playa del Ingles 49

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Varenna 34
    Playa del Ingles 33

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Varenna 23
    Playa del Ingles 7.86

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 comparing the travel costs between Varenna and Playa del Ingles, we can see that Playa del Ingles 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.

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


Which is Bigger, Varenna or Playa del Ingles?

Playa del Ingles has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Varenna and Playa del Ingles, 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 Varenna or Playa del Ingles?

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 Playa del Ingles in the Summer?

Both Playa del Ingles and Varenna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Varenna in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Varenna is generally around the same temperature as Playa del Ingles. Daily temperatures in Varenna average around 23°C (73°F), and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Playa del Ingles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Varenna. Varenna usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Ingles during summer. Varenna gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Ingles receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. In July, Varenna usually receives more rain than Playa del Ingles. Varenna gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Varenna 23°C (73°F) 
    Playa del Ingles 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Varenna or Playa del Ingles in the Autumn?

Both Playa del Ingles and Varenna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Varenna for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Varenna is much colder than Playa del Ingles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Varenna averages around 15°C (58°F) in October, and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Playa del Ingles, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Varenna often gets less sunshine than Playa del Ingles. Varenna gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Ingles receives 213 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. Varenna usually gets more rain in October than Playa del Ingles. Varenna gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Varenna 15°C (58°F) 
    Playa del Ingles 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Varenna or Playa del Ingles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Varenna and Playa del Ingles. The winter months attract visitors to Varenna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Varenna can be very cold. In the winter, Varenna is much colder than Playa del Ingles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Varenna in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Playa del Ingles averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Varenna usually receives less sunshine than Playa del Ingles during winter. Varenna gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Playa del Ingles receives 187 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Varenna usually receives more rain than Playa del Ingles. Varenna gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Varenna 5°C (41°F) 
    Playa del Ingles 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Varenna or Playa del Ingles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Varenna as well as Playa del Ingles. The natural beauty are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.

In April, Varenna is generally cooler than Playa del Ingles. Daily temperatures in Varenna average around 13°C (55°F), and Playa del Ingles fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Ingles. In the spring, Varenna often gets less sunshine than Playa del Ingles. Varenna gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa del Ingles receives 225 hours of full sun.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the spring. Varenna usually gets more rain in April than Playa del Ingles. Varenna gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Playa del Ingles receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Varenna 13°C (55°F) 
    Playa del Ingles 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Playa del Ingles and Varenna

Varenna Playa del Ingles
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (41°F) 76 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 10°C (49°F) 106 mm (4.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in) 19°C (66°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 194 mm (7.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Jun 20°C (69°F) 171 mm (6.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 0 mm (0 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 166 mm (6.5 in) 24°C (75°F) 0 mm (0 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) 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 9°C (49°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Dec 6°C (42°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (66°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)


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