A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Naples for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Edinburgh or Naples?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Naples 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.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a gothic, ancient, and charming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include theater, nightlife, and live music.

Naples

Naples is a historic, authentic, and gritty city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Naples?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Naples. While Naples is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Naples is known for its food and big city activities. Edinburgh is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Naples is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza.

How is Edinburgh different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Edinburgh on the map. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Naples. 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 Edinburgh or Naples Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is well known for its shows and theatre. However, Naples is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Naples is not a theatre destination.

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

Naples is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Naples have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Naples Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Naples.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Naples is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Edinburgh or Naples Better for Music?

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

In Edinburgh you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Naples is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Edinburgh is revered around the world. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Naples is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Naples?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Edinburgh and Naples.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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 Edinburgh or Naples Better for Families?

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

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or Naples Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Naples are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Couples visit Naples frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Edinburgh or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Naples is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Is Edinburgh or Naples Better for Students?

Edinburgh is well known for students. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a great city to visit as a student. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

Naples is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Naples can get you to some places easily. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Naples a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Edinburgh on foot is easy. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Naples. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Naples. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Naples.

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

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Naples?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

People visit Naples because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Naples has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Naples?

Edinburgh 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.

People visit Naples because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Naples. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Naples?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the charming destination of Edinburgh. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Naples is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, 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 Edinburgh and Naples, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Naples much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Naples Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Naples?

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 Edinburgh or Naples in the Summer?

Both Naples and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Naples because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Naples. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Naples averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In Naples, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Naples. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in July than Naples. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Naples. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Naples. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Naples during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Naples receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Naples. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Naples in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Naples. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. Edinburgh is much colder than Naples in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Naples. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Naples. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Naples averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Naples during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Naples. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Edinburgh