A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chania vs. Taormina for Food, Beaches, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Chania or Taormina?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Taormina, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a picturesque, historic, and idyllic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Taormina

Taormina is a historic, beautiful, and exclusive town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Chania and Taormina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Taormina?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chania. Although Chania and Taormina are popular destinations, Chania has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chania is very popular for its museums, food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and big city activities, while Taormina attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Chania is famous for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also well known for The Venetian Harbor. Taormina is famous for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

How is Chania different from Taormina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chania or Taormina?

Chania is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Chania. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

Is the Food Better in Chania or Taormina? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chania is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Chania have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Taormina makes for a great culinary experience. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for Nightlife?

Taormina is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Taormina is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

If you're looking for night time activities Chania has a few options to choose from. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for Resorts?

Taormina is well known for its resorts. However, Chania is not a resort destination.

Taormina is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Chania is not a resort destination.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Chania. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for Beaches?

Chania is very popular for the beach. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

Chania is considered to be a world-class beach destination. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

Taormina offers a nice beach destination. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for its Old Town?

Chania is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Chania is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for Hiking?

Chania is a great city for hiking. However, Taormina is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Chania for the hiking trails. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

Taormina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Taormina?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Taormina and Chania.

Many visitors go to Chania to go shopping. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Taormina. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for Families?

Chania is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Chania. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for Couples?

Chania and Taormina are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Chania frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

Taormina is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chania is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Chania. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Chania or Taormina Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Chania and Taormina.

You'll find some public transit in Chania, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

While Taormina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Chania or Taormina a more walkable city?

Chania and Taormina both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Chania is a very walkable destination. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

Taormina is very walkable. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

For even more information, also check out Is Chania Worth Visiting? and Is Taormina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Taormina or Chania?

How long in Chania or Taormina?

It's fun to spend time in either Chania or Taormina. In our opinion, Chania has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Chania than Taormina. In general, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 2-4 days is enough time in Taormina.

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

Couples should spend more time in Chania than Taormina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chania that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chania than Taormina 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 Chania.

One day in Chania or Taormina?

The city of Chania offers museums and nightlife. 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.

Taormina might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chania or Taormina?

Chania is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Taormina is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Chania or Taormina?

Chania 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Taormina. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Chania or Taormina?

Chania 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 city offers something for everyone.

Taormina is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Taormina, we can see that Taormina is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania 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 Taormina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taormina than you might in Chania.

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

Which is Bigger, Chania or Taormina?

Chania has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Chania and Taormina, 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 Chania or Taormina?

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 Chania or Taormina in the Summer?

Both Taormina and Chania during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chania this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Chania is around the same temperature as Taormina in the summer. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Taormina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In Taormina, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chania. In the summer, Chania often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in July than Taormina. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Taormina in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Taormina. Many travelers come to Chania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Taormina in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Chania is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chania in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Taormina averages at about 21°C (69°F).

Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina during autumn. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Taormina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Chania usually receives less rain than Taormina. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chania or Taormina in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chania as well as Taormina. Many visitors come to Chania in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Chania is generally around the same temperature as Taormina. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 12°C (54°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 115 hours of full sun.

Chania receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chania usually gets more rain in January than Taormina. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Taormina in the Spring?

Both Taormina and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chania for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Chania is around the same temperature as Taormina in the spring. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Taormina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Taormina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during spring. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chania usually receives less rain than Taormina. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Taormina and Chania