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

Should you visit Volterra or Lake Garda?

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

Should I visit Volterra or Lake Garda? 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Volterra and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volterra or Lake Garda?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lake Garda. Although Volterra and Lake Garda are popular destinations, Lake Garda has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lake Garda is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Volterra attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Lake Garda is more touristy than Volterra and is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. It is also well known for Sirmione. Volterra is famous for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster.

How is Volterra different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Volterra is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

Volterra is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Volterra or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is well known for nightlife. However, Volterra is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Lake Garda is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

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 Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is well known for its beaches. However, Volterra is not a beach destination.

Lake Garda is considered a top beach destination. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Volterra is not a beach destination.

Is Volterra or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Volterra is terrific for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Volterra has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Volterra or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Volterra is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Volterra or Lake Garda?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Volterra or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Lake Garda is a very family-friendly destination. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Volterra is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Volterra or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Volterra and Lake Garda are nice 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.

Lake Garda is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

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

Lake Garda is well known for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Lake Garda. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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

Is Volterra or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Volterra is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Volterra. Most people explore the town on foot.

Lake Garda is a very walkable destination. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Volterra?

How long in Volterra or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Volterra or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

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

Couples should spend more time in Volterra than Lake Garda. 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.

One day in Volterra or Lake Garda?

Volterra might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Volterra, one day is sufficent for most.

The beautiful lake of Lake Garda offers food and shopping. 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 Lake Garda?

Even though Volterra is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Lake Garda is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this lake makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lake Garda, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Volterra or Lake Garda?

Volterra, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

Volterra is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Lake Garda 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 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 Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Volterra or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Volterra as well as Lake Garda. The summer months attract visitors to Volterra because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

In the summer, Volterra is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Volterra in July average around 23°C (74°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volterra this time of the year. In the summer, Volterra often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Volterra gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Volterra usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Volterra gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Volterra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Volterra is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 16°C (61°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Volterra usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Volterra gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Volterra. In October, Volterra usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Volterra gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volterra or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Volterra during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Volterra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lake Garda can get quite cold in the winter. Volterra is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Volterra averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Volterra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda. Volterra gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

Volterra usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Volterra gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Volterra and Lake Garda. Many visitors come to Volterra in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Volterra is around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Volterra in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Volterra usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Volterra gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Volterra usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Volterra gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Volterra