A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Naples for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Dubai or Naples?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Naples can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a opulent, modern, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Naples

Naples is a colorful, fascinating, and historic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai. Although Dubai and Naples are roughly the same size, Dubai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dubai is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Naples attracts visitors for its food and historical sights. Dubai is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa. Naples is famous for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a city with a few options for winter skiing. However, Naples is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Dubai for snow skiing. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Naples is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Naples?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Naples and Dubai.

Many visitors head to Dubai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Naples can be an interesting and educational experience. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Is the Food Better in Dubai or Naples? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Naples is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Naples has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Dubai makes for a great culinary experience. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

People head to Dubai just to party. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Many people head to Naples for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Music?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Naples is not a live music destination.

In Dubai you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Naples is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Resorts?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Naples is not a resort destination.

Dubai offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Naples is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Naples is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Dubai has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Naples is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Naples is not a beach destination.

Dubai has a beach worth visiting. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for its Old Town?

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

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Naples. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Dubai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Naples?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Dubai is a world class destination for shoppers. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Families?

Dubai is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Dubai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Couples?

Naples is a great city for couples. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Naples is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Dubai is a nice destination for couples. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Students?

Dubai is a world-class destination for students. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Dubai is a great destination for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Is Dubai or Naples Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Naples is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Naples offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Is Dubai or Naples a more walkable city?

Naples is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubai Worth Visiting? and Is Naples Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Naples or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Naples?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Naples than Dubai 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 Naples.

One day in Dubai or Naples?

Dubai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

In Naples, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this fascinating big city offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dubai or Naples?

Dubai is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Naples. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Naples is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Naples. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Naples?

Dubai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the gritty big city of Naples. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Naples?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Naples. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Naples, 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 Dubai or Naples?

Naples has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Naples in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Naples. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is much warmer than Naples in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Naples. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Naples in the Autumn?

Both Naples and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Naples. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Naples averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Naples. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dubai or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Dubai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Naples for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Naples. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Naples in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Naples. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Naples because of the activities around the city.

Dubai is much warmer than Naples in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Naples fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Naples. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Naples and Dubai