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

Should you visit Volterra or Varenna?

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

Should I visit Volterra or Varenna? 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.

Varenna

Varenna is a beautiful, scenic, and pristine village. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Volterra and Varenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volterra or Varenna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Volterra. Although Volterra and Varenna are popular destinations, Volterra has more sights and attractions for tourists. Volterra is very popular for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm, while Varenna attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Varenna is more touristy than Volterra and is popular for its beautiful location by Lake Como. Volterra is famous for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster. It is also well known for The Roman Theater.

How is Volterra different from Varenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Volterra. 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 Varenna. 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.

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

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

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.

Varenna has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Despite the touristy nature of the town, the restaurants are surprisingly good and you'll find some excellent Italian food around town.

Is Volterra or Varenna Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Volterra and Varenna.

Volterra is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. 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.

Varenna doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. 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 Volterra or Varenna Better for its Old Town?

Volterra is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Varenna does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Volterra is revered around 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.

Varenna does not have a historic old town.

Is Volterra or Varenna Better for Hiking?

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

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

Volterra is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Volterra or Varenna?

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

Is Volterra or Varenna Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Volterra or Varenna.

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.

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.

Is Volterra or Varenna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Volterra and Varenna make for a amazing 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, Varenna 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.

Is Volterra or Varenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Volterra and Varenna 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.

Varenna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are some hostels and guesthouses that cater to budget travelers. There's also plenty of outdoor activities that are free.

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

Varenna 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 Varenna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town is easily accessible by public transit and once you're in town you can walk everywhere.

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

Is Volterra or Varenna a more walkable city?

Volterra and Varenna both are amazing when exploring on foot.

Getting around Volterra on foot is easy. Most people explore the town on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Varenna or Volterra?

How long in Volterra or Varenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Volterra or Varenna to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Volterra than Varenna. 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.

One day in Volterra or Varenna?

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 beautiful village of Varenna offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Varenna?

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.

Varenna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this village 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 Varenna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Volterra or Varenna?

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.

Varenna is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 Varenna?

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.

Varenna is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 village 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 Varenna, we can see that Varenna 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 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 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 Varenna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Volterra or Varenna?

Volterra has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Volterra and Varenna, 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 Varenna?

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 Varenna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Volterra as well as Varenna. Most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Volterra is around the same temperature as Varenna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Volterra in July average around 23°C (74°F), and Varenna averages at about 23°C (73°F).

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

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Volterra usually gets less rain in July than Varenna. Volterra gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Varenna in the Autumn?

Both Varenna and Volterra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Volterra because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.

In October, Volterra is generally around the same temperature as Varenna. Daily temperatures in Volterra average around 16°C (61°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. It's quite rainy in Volterra. In October, Volterra usually receives less rain than Varenna. Volterra gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volterra or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Volterra during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Volterra this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Varenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Varenna. Volterra is a little warmer than Varenna in the winter. The daily temperature in Volterra averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

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

Volterra usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Varenna. Volterra gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volterra or Varenna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Volterra and Varenna. Many travelers come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Varenna in the spring for the natural beauty.

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

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

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Volterra usually receives less rain than Varenna. Volterra gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Varenna and Volterra