A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Palermo for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Beijing or Palermo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Palermo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Beijing

Beijing is a historic, massive, and jam-packed city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Beijing travel costs.

Palermo

Palermo is a dynamic, fun, and colorful city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Palermo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Palermo travel costs.

Beijing and Palermo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Palermo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Palermo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, and big city activities, while Palermo attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Beijing is more touristy than Palermo and is known for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also well known for The Forbidden City. Palermo is famous for its mild climate, beautiful architecture, fun atmosphere, and fascinating culture.

How is Beijing different from Palermo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Palermo and Beijing. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Beijing or Palermo?

Beijing is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Beijing on the map. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

Palermo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of grand buildings and impressive architectural buildings that you should visit. The cathedral, the Norman Palace, and Cappella Palatina are among the best.

Is the Food Better in Beijing or Palermo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beijing is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Beijing have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Palermo. The islands long history and occupation by a range of different groups means that the cuisine is heavily influenced by many different cultures. You'll see influences from Phonecians, Greeks, Arabs and Normans. Local dishes include Pasta alla Norma (pasta and vegetables), Arancine (rice balls), and Cannoli.

Is Beijing or Palermo Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Beijing or Palermo has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Beijing know how to have a good time. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

The nightlife in Palermo has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is surprisingly varied with everything from wine bars by the ocean to dance parties that flood into the street. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include the old town, Politeama, and Mondello.

Is Beijing or Palermo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Palermo is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Palermo. The dive season lasts most of the year and there are many beautiful dive spots that are accessible from the city. The water is clear and there is a variety of flora and fauna to see.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Beijing or Palermo Better for Beaches?

Palermo is a great destination for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Palermo attract visitors from all over. The city has a number of beautiful beaches, some of which are accessible by public transit. Mondello is a popular option with beautiful views. Capo Gallo is a relaxing option on a nature reserve that is good for divers and nature lovers. Addaura is a lively beach with a number of clubs.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Palermo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Palermo and Beijing.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Palermo. The city offers a mix of high end shopping streets as well as colorful markets that have the feel of a traditional bazaar. Whether you're looking for European brands or local merchandise, this city has an eclectic mix with something for everyone.

Is Beijing or Palermo More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of nice scenery and beauty in both Beijing and Palermo.

Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.

Palermo is a gorgeous place to visit. The city has beautiful beaches as well as nice architecture.

Is Beijing or Palermo Better for Families?

Palermo is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Palermo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has beaches where everyone can cool off and play in the relaxing waves. There's also a botanical garden and the fascinating Catacombs of the Capuchins. Kids will also enjoy exploring the many diverse markets throughout the city.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Beijing or Palermo Better for Couples?

Both Beijing and Palermo are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Beijing is a good city for couples to visit. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Palermo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with fun adventures, unique markets, and relaxing beaches. It makes a great city escape for couples who enjoy spending time outdoors but also having access to an urban setting.

Is Beijing or Palermo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Beijing is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Beijing is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Plenty of backpackers visit Palermo. There are a decent number of affordable hostels around town as well as plenty of backpackers that keep the scene fun and social.

Is Beijing or Palermo Better for Students?

Beijing is a well-known place for students. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over to stay in Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Plenty of students visit Palermo. It's an affordable student destination with a relaxing and laid back vibe. There's enough activity to keep it interesting without a high pressure setting.

Is Beijing or Palermo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Beijing is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Palermo is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Beijing. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

Public transit is mostly limited in Palermo. If you stick to the main city center then you can get around by city bus, but if you're headed anywhere else, you'll likely want to take a taxi or Uber.

Is Beijing or Palermo a more walkable city?

Palermo is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

Palermo is a very walkable destination. The city is walkable with a number of streets closed to cars and pedestrian only.

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Beijing Worth Visiting? and Is Palermo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Palermo or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Palermo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Beijing and Palermo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than in Palermo. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 1-3 days is enough time in Palermo.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Beijing than Palermo 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 Beijing.

One day in Beijing or Palermo?

Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Palermo, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Beijing or Palermo?

Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

In Palermo, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Palermo has to offer.

Five days in Beijing or Palermo?

Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Palermo is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A week in Beijing or Palermo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Beijing. Because Beijing is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palermo. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Palermo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Palermo, we can see that Palermo is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Palermo is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Palermo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palermo than you might in Beijing.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Palermo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Palermo?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Palermo. When comparing the sizes of Beijing and Palermo, 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 Beijing or Palermo?

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 Beijing or Palermo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Palermo. The summer months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Palermo this time of year.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Palermo in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Palermo fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palermo this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Palermo during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 347 hours of full sun in the summer.

Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Palermo. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Beijing or Palermo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Palermo. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Palermo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Beijing is cooler than Palermo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Palermo averages at about 20°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palermo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Palermo. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 204 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Palermo. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Palermo in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Beijing. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Palermo. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Palermo fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Palermo during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 133 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Palermo. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Beijing or Palermo in the Spring?

Both Palermo and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Beijing in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Palermo for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Palermo in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Palermo fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Palermo. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 219 hours of full sun.

Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Palermo. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Palermo and Beijing