A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Volterra vs. Imperia for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Volterra or Imperia?

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

Should I visit Volterra or Imperia? 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 historic, charming, and medieval town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Imperia

Imperia is a authentic, charming, and undiscovered town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Volterra and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volterra or Imperia?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Volterra than Imperia, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Volterra is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Imperia is more popular for its nightlife. Volterra is more touristy than Imperia and is known for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster. Also, Volterra is famous for The Roman Theater. Imperia is well known for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Volterra different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Imperia 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 Imperia?

Volterra is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Volterra offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Imperia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

Is the Food Better in Volterra or Imperia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Volterra is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Volterra or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

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

Imperia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

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 Imperia Better for its Old Town?

Volterra is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Imperia does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Volterra can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Imperia does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Volterra or Imperia?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Imperia and Volterra.

Volterra is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Volterra or Imperia Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Volterra or Imperia.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Volterra. 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.

Imperia offers lots of family activities. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Volterra or Imperia Better for Couples?

Volterra is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

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.

Imperia is a nice destination for couples. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

Is Volterra or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Volterra and Imperia are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Volterra. 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.

Imperia is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

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

Imperia 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 Imperia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

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

Is Volterra or Imperia a more walkable city?

Volterra is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Volterra on foot. Most people explore the town on foot.

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

For even more information, also check out Is Volterra Worth Visiting? and Is Imperia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Volterra?

How long in Volterra or Imperia?

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

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

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

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

One day in Volterra or Imperia?

Volterra is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the 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.

The town of Imperia offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Volterra or Imperia?

Volterra might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volterra has to offer.

Imperia is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Imperia, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Volterra or Imperia?

Volterra is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Imperia 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 Imperia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Volterra. Since Volterra is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Imperia is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 comparing the travel costs between Volterra and Imperia, we can see that Imperia 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 Volterra Expensive? and Is Imperia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Volterra or Imperia?

Imperia has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of Volterra and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

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 Volterra or Imperia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Volterra and Imperia. The summer months attract visitors to Volterra because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

In July, Volterra is generally around the same temperature as Imperia. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 23°C (74°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Imperia this time of the year. In Volterra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Volterra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Imperia during summer. Volterra gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Volterra usually receives more rain than Imperia. Volterra gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Volterra or Imperia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Volterra as well as Imperia. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Volterra this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Imperia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Volterra is cooler than Imperia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Volterra averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Volterra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Imperia. Volterra gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun.

Volterra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Volterra usually gets more rain in October than Imperia. Volterra gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Imperia in the Winter?

Both Imperia and Volterra are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Volterra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Imperia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Volterra is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Volterra in January average around 7°C (45°F), and Imperia averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Volterra usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during winter. Volterra gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Volterra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Imperia. Volterra gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Volterra or Imperia in the Spring?

Both Imperia and Volterra during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Volterra in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Imperia for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Volterra is generally cooler than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 13°C (55°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Volterra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Imperia. Volterra gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun.

Volterra usually gets more rain in April than Imperia. Volterra gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Imperia and Volterra