A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Venice vs. Como for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Venice or Como?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Venice and Como can help you decide which place is right for you.

Venice

Venice is a magical, historic, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Venice and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Venice or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Venice than Como. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Venice is very popular for its museums, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere, while Como attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Venice is famous for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. It is also well known for St. Mark's Basilica. Como is famous for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers.

How is Venice different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Venice or Como?

Venice is renowned for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Venice has many famous sights for visitors. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Is the Food Better in Venice or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Como is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Como has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Venice or Como Better for Nightlife?

Como is very good for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Como has a few options to choose from. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Venice or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is very good for the beach. However, Venice is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Como to enjoy the beach. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Venice is not a beach destination.

Is Venice or Como Better for its Old Town?

Venice is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Venice is one of the most recognized in the world. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Venice or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is great for hiking. However, Venice is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Como for the hiking trails. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Venice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Venice or Como?

If you're looking to go shopping, Venice and Como both offer plenty of terrific spots.

Many people travel to Venice specifically to go shopping. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

Como is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

Is Venice or Como Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Venice or Como.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Venice. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

Como is a very family-friendly place to visit. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Venice or Como Better for Couples?

Both Venice and Como are terrific destinations to visit as a couple.

For those traveling as a couple, Venice has plenty to offer. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

Is Venice or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Venice and Como are excellent places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

Is Venice or Como Better for Students?

Venice is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Venice is a great destination for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

Como is not popular with students.

Is Venice or Como Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Venice is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Venice has a great public transit system. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Venice or Como a more walkable city?

Venice is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Venice. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

Como is very walkable. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

For even more information, also check out Is Venice Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Venice?

How long in Venice or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Venice or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Venice due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Venice, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Venice than Como 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 Venice.

One day in Venice or Como?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Venice. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Venice or Como?

Venice is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Como is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Venice or Como?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the romantic destination of Venice. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Como. 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.

A week in Venice or Como?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the romantic city of Venice. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Como. This lake area 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Venice and Como, we can see that Venice 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 Venice Expensive? and Is Como Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Venice or Como?

Venice has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Venice and Como, 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 Venice or Como?

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 Venice or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Venice and Como. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Venice this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Venice is around the same temperature as Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Venice averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. In Venice, it's very sunny this time of the year. Venice usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Venice gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Venice usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Venice gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Venice or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Venice as well as Como. Many travelers come to Venice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Como in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Venice is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Venice in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Venice often gets less sunshine than Como. Venice gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Venice usually gets less rain in October than Como. Venice gets 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Venice or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Venice are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Venice in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Como can be very cold during winter. Venice can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Venice is generally much colder than Como. Daily temperatures in Venice average around 3°C (37°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Venice usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Venice gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Venice usually receives less rain than Como. Venice gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Venice or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Venice during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Venice for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Venice is around the same temperature as Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Venice averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Venice often gets less sunshine than Como. Venice gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Venice usually gets less rain in April than Como. Venice gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Venice