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

Should you visit Volterra or Como?

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

Should I visit Volterra or Como? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Volterra

Volterra is a charming, medieval, and cultural town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Como

Como is a fun, vibrant, and scenic lake area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Volterra and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volterra or Como?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Como than Volterra, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Como is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Volterra is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Como is more touristy than Volterra and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Also, Como is famous for the lakeside setting. Volterra is well known for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster.

How is Volterra different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Volterra is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Volterra can be an interesting and educational experience. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

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 Volterra or Como? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Volterra and Como.

For foodies, Volterra is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

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.

Is Volterra or Como Better for Nightlife?

Como is a popular place for nightlife. However, Volterra is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Volterra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Is Volterra or Como Better for Beaches?

Como is a popular place for its beaches. However, Volterra is not a beach destination.

Como is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Volterra is not a beach destination.

Is Volterra or Como Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Volterra is one of the most recognized in the world. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Volterra or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Volterra is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Como. 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.

Volterra is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Volterra or Como?

Como is terrific for shopping. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Volterra. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Is Volterra or Como Better for Families?

Como is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Volterra offers lots of family activities. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

Is Volterra or Como Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Volterra and Como make for a fantastic place to visit.

Volterra makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

For those traveling as a couple, Como has plenty to offer. 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 Volterra or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como is well known for backpackers. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Volterra is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

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

Como is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Volterra or Como a more walkable city?

Volterra 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 Volterra. Most people explore the town on foot.

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 Volterra Worth Visiting? and Is Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Volterra?

How long in Volterra or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Volterra or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Volterra, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

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

One day in Volterra or Como?

Volterra is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

The beautiful lake area of Como offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Volterra or Como?

Volterra is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this lake area makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Como, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Volterra or Como?

Volterra is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Como is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Volterra or Como?

Because Volterra is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Como is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This lake area offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Volterra and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Volterra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volterra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volterra 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 Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como than you might in Volterra.

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

Which is Bigger, Volterra or Como?

Como has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of Volterra 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 Volterra or Como?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Volterra or Como in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Volterra as well as Como. Many travelers come to Volterra for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Como in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Volterra is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 23°C (74°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Como. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volterra this time of the year. In the summer, Volterra often gets more sunshine than Como. Volterra gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Volterra usually gets less rain in July than Como. Volterra gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Volterra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Volterra in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Volterra is around the same temperature as Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Volterra averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Volterra usually receives more sunshine than Como during autumn. Volterra gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Como. It's quite rainy in Volterra. In October, Volterra usually receives more rain than Como. Volterra gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volterra or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Volterra during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Volterra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Como because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Como can be very cold. In the winter, Volterra is a little warmer than Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Volterra in January average around 7°C (45°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Volterra often gets less sunshine than Como. Volterra gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Volterra usually gets more rain in January than Como. Volterra gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Como in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Volterra and Como. The spring months attract visitors to Volterra because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In April, Volterra is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 13°C (55°F), and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Volterra usually receives more sunshine than Como during spring. Volterra gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Volterra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Volterra gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Volterra