A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Varenna vs. Urbino for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Varenna or Urbino?

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 Urbino. 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.

Varenna

Varenna is a pristine, beautiful, and scenic village. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Urbino

Urbino is a authentic, laid back, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Varenna and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Varenna or Urbino?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Varenna. Although Varenna and Urbino are both popular with visitors, Varenna has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Varenna is more popular for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Urbino is known for its nightlife and historical sights. Varenna is more touristy than Urbino and is known for its beautiful location by Lake Como. It is also home to Lake Como. Urbino is popular for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

Lake Como

How is Varenna different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Varenna and Urbino.

Varenna offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit the town for its beautiful setting on Lake Como. There are some popular sights around town though such as the Church of San Giorgio and Castello di Vezio.

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.

Is the Food Better in Varenna or Urbino? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Varenna is an amazing village 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 Varenna have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Despite the touristy nature of the town, the restaurants are surprisingly good and you'll find some excellent Italian food around town.

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 Varenna or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Urbino is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Varenna is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Urbino. 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.

Varenna is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The best way to enjoy the evening is to head to a restaurant and spend the time sipping wine in a laid back setting.

Is Varenna or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Urbino is a good destination for its old town. However, Varenna does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Urbino. 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.

Varenna does not have a historic old town.

Is Varenna or Urbino Better for Hiking?

Varenna is great for hiking. However, Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Varenna for the hiking trails. There are lakefront trails and other hiking options near town. The Lungolago di Varenna - Baia di Varenna loop follows the water and makes for a pleasant stroll.

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Varenna or Urbino?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Varenna and Urbino.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Varenna. The streets are lined with artisan shops and boutique venders that are fun to explore.

Many visitors go to Urbino to go shopping. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Varenna or Urbino Better for Families?

Varenna is a village with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Varenna offers lots of family activities. The charming village has play areas for children and the beautiful Villa Monastero, which are gardens that they'll enjoy exploring. It's also worth visiting the Castle of Vezio.

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 Varenna or Urbino Better for Couples?

Varenna is an amazing village to visit for couples. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Varenna is a great village for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This beautiful village has a romantic atmosphere with a "lovers promenade" and many stunning views. It makes the perfect couples trip, whether you're on your honeymoon or just need some time away.

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 Varenna or Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Varenna is a village with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

Varenna is a good village to visit for backpackers. There are some hostels and guesthouses that cater to budget travelers. There's also plenty of outdoor activities that are free.

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 Varenna or Urbino Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Urbino. 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.

Varenna is not popular with students.

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

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

While Varenna offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The town is easily accessible by public transit and once you're in town you can walk everywhere.

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

Is Varenna or Urbino a more walkable city?

Varenna is an amazing village to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Varenna is a very easy village to get around on foot. Everything is walkable and the town is best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Varenna?

How long in Varenna or Urbino?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Varenna or Urbino to fill your time. In our opinion, Varenna has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Varenna than Urbino. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Varenna than Urbino. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Varenna that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Varenna 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 Varenna.

One day in Varenna or Urbino?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Varenna. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Urbino, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Varenna or Urbino?

Varenna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Urbino, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Urbino has to offer.

Five days in Varenna or Urbino?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Varenna. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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.

Urbino is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Varenna or Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Varenna. This village 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Urbino. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Urbino. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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 Italy, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Varenna and Urbino, we can see that Varenna 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 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 Urbino.

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

Which is Bigger, Varenna or Urbino?

Urbino has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Varenna and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Varenna and Urbino. Most visitors come to Varenna for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Urbino because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Varenna is around the same temperature as Urbino. Typically, the summer temperatures in Varenna in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Urbino averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Varenna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Varenna usually receives more rain than Urbino. Varenna gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Varenna or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Varenna as well as Urbino. The autumn months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

In October, Varenna is generally around the same temperature as Urbino. Daily temperatures in Varenna average around 15°C (58°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Varenna usually gets more rain in October than Urbino. Varenna gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Varenna or Urbino in the Winter?

Both Urbino and Varenna 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 Varenna this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Urbino. It's quite cold in Varenna in the winter. Varenna is much warmer than Urbino in the winter. The daily temperature in Varenna averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Varenna usually receives more rain than Urbino. Varenna gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Varenna or Urbino in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Varenna is around the same temperature as Urbino. Typically, the spring temperatures in Varenna in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Urbino averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. Varenna usually gets more rain in April than Urbino. Varenna gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Varenna