Comparison · Cinque Terre vs Lake Como · Italy
Cinque Terre vs Lake Como
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Cinque Terre for Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro, lower day-to-day costs and beaches; choose Lake Como for Villa del Balbianello and Bellagio. Cinque Terre is generally less expensive, and the two are about 210 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 210 km
- Less expensive
- Cinque Terre
- Best time for Cinque Terre
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Lake Como
- April–June and September
Side by side
| Cinque Terre | Lake Como | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Italy | Italy |
| Known for | Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro and Pesto | Villa del Balbianello, Bellagio and Villa Carlotta |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | April–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $220–$400 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 12°C (54°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 5 |
| Beaches | Fegina, Monterosso | — |
| Airports | PSA, GOA, FLR | MXP, LIN, BGY |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cinque Terre for…
Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. The Cinque Terre are five villages — Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — strung along a short, steep stretch of the Ligurian coast between Levanto and La Spezia. Inscribed by UNESCO in 1997 together with Porto Venere and its…
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Choose Lake Como for…
Villa del Balbianello and Bellagio. Lake Como is a deep, narrow glacial lake about 50 km north of Milan, shaped like an upside-down Y with the city of Como at the foot of the western arm, Lecco at the foot of the eastern arm and Bellagio on the point where they meet. Most visitors stay in the…
Top sights compared
| # | Cinque Terre | Lake Como |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vernazza harbour | Villa del Balbianello |
| 2 | Manarola and Punta Bonfiglio | Villa Carlotta |
| 3 | Riomaggiore | Villa Melzi gardens |
| 4 | Monterosso old town and Fegina | Bellagio old town and Punta Spartivento |
| 5 | Corniglia and the Lardarina | Varenna and the Passeggiata degli Innamorati |
Food compared
| Cinque Terre | Lake Como |
|---|---|
| Trofie al pesto | Risotto with perch |
| Focaccia | Missoltini |
| Monterosso anchovies | Lavarello |
| Farinata | Polenta uncia |
Which is cheaper?
Cinque Terre is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 per person there, against $220–$400 in Lake Como (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cinque Terre on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cinque Terre and Lake Como are about 210 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Cinque Terre and 4 in Lake Como.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cinque Terre or Lake Como cheaper?
Cinque Terre is usually less expensive: about $180–$320 a day mid-range against $220–$400 (estimates).
+Is Cinque Terre or Lake Como better for a first trip?
Pick Cinque Terre for Five cliff villages, Sentiero Azzurro, lower day-to-day costs and beaches, or Lake Como for Villa del Balbianello and Bellagio.
+How far is Cinque Terre from Lake Como?
About 210 km in a straight line.