A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lake Garda vs. Puerto del Carmen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lake Garda or Puerto del Carmen?

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

Should I visit Lake Garda or Puerto del Carmen? 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.

Where Should I go: Lake Garda or Puerto del Carmen?

Lake Garda

As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.

Puerto del Carmen

Located on the south-eastern coast of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is a popular resort area best known for its high concentration of bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs. By day, visitors frequent the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, and other watersports - and by night, they flock to enjoy the live music and drinks of the area's thriving nightlife.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to Italy, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto del Carmen or Lake Garda?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Lake Garda Prices
    Italy Prices
    Puerto del Carmen Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Lake Garda 197
    Puerto del Carmen 210

The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Garda is €197, while the average daily cost in Puerto del Carmen is €210. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Lake Garda and Puerto del Carmen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lake Garda 84
    Puerto del Carmen 98
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lake Garda 168
    Puerto del Carmen 196
Compare Hotels in Lake Garda and Puerto del Carmen

Looking for a hotel in Lake Garda or Puerto del Carmen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Lake Garda


Hotels in Puerto del Carmen


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Puerto del Carmen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lake Garda 66
    Puerto del Carmen 39

Is it cheaper to fly into Lake Garda or Puerto del Carmen?

Prices for flights to both Puerto del Carmen and Lake Garda change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lake Garda 72
    Puerto del Carmen 89

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Garda

For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class: Fresh Pasta Course with Wines at Lake Garda: $94
  • 3.5 Hours Fresh Pasta and Tiramisù Cooking Class with Meal : $95
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Cecina with Show Cooking: $102
  • Canevin Cooking Class a Typical italian meal with dessert: $113

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lake Garda 30
    Puerto del Carmen 17

Tours and Activities in Lake Garda

For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Beekeeping Farm Tour and Tasting Experience in Lazise: $47
  • Bardolino: Vineyard Tour with Wine, Olive Oil & Food Tasting: $42
  • Best of Sirmione with Boat Tour and Grotte di Catullo : $113
  • Boat Tour of the Islands of Lake Garda with Aperitif: $84
  • Dolomites Full-Day Tour from Lake Garda: $87
  • Dolomites Full-day Tour from Lake Garda: $89
  • From Verona Full-Day Tour: $76
  • From Tignale, Beginner-Friendly Canyoning Tour: $90
  • Full-Day Lake Garda Tour: Bus & Public Boat with Guide: $87
  • Full-Day Self-Guided Garda Scooter Tour from Riva del Garda: $155
  • Full-Day Self-Guided Garda Vespa Tour departing at Salò: $155
  • Garda Lake: Canyoning Adventure Tour: $117

Tours and Activities in Puerto del Carmen

For Puerto del Carmen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Las Palmas: Freedive & Deep Snorkel Experience For Beginners: $141

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lake Garda 19
    Puerto del Carmen 60

Sample the Local Flavors in Lake Garda

Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine Tasting with Local Food in Lazise Countryside: $38
  • Wine Tasting and Tour of Lugana Wines in Sirmione: $39
  • Vineyards Tour and Wine Tasting: $46
  • Lazise: Biodynamic Farm Tour and Natural Wine Tasting: $49
  • Wine Tasting in Historical Center of Lazise: $50
  • Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting: $50
  • Winery Tour and Wine Tasting in Valpolicella: $58
  • Valdadige: Winery Tour with 4 Wine Tastings: $58
  • Art Experience with Food and Wine Tasting in Lazise: $58
  • Valpolicella: Winery Tour with Picnic and Wine Tasting: $76
  • Lazise: Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $99
  • E-Bike Tour and wine tasting in Lazise Countryside: $100


When comparing the travel costs between Lake Garda and Puerto del Carmen, we can see that Puerto del Carmen 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 Lake Garda Expensive? and Is Puerto del Carmen Expensive?.


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