A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Faro vs. Messina for Nightlife, Families, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Faro or Messina?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Messina, 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.

Faro

Faro is a popular, busy, and active resort town. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Messina

Messina is a historic, bustling, and local port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Messina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Messina?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Messina. Although Faro and Messina are both popular with visitors, Messina has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Messina is more popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Faro is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Faro is more touristy than Messina and is popular for its historical sights and rich culture. Messina is popular for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. It is also home to Piazza del Duomo.

How is Faro different from Messina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Faro or Messina?

Messina is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Messina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

Faro does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Faro or Messina? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Messina is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Messina. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Faro. It has become a major tourist town, so you have to get a bit creative to find a more traditional restaurant. Look for fresh seafood like cod, monkfish, or shellfish if you want some local flavors.

Is Faro or Messina Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Faro and Messina.

Many people head to Faro for the nightlife scene. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Messina has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

Is Faro or Messina Better for Resorts?

Faro is renowned for its resorts. However, Messina is not a resort destination.

Faro is a world class resort vacation destination. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Messina is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Messina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a resort town with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Faro. There are both snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the area. It's possible to snorkel off of several beaches or arrange a scuba diving excursion with a local dive shop.

Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Messina Better for Beaches?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beache.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Faro. The most popular beach in the area is Faro Beach. It can get crowded during the summer months but if you walk a bit you can often get away from the crowds. To reach the beach you'll need a car or you can take the bus as the beach is about 10 km away.

You can check out the beach in Messina. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Is Faro or Messina Better for its Old Town?

Faro is a resort town with good options for its historic old town. However, Messina does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Faro to see the historical old town. You'll find historic buildings and cobblestone streets in the old town. It's a nice place to explore, grab a bite to eat, and do a little shopping.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Messina?

If you're looking to go shopping, Faro and Messina both offer plenty of good spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Faro. The town isn't as big as some others, so it's shopping scene isn't as comprehensive, but you will find the major brands as well as souvenir shops to peruse when you need a break from the beach.

Messina offers some nice shopping areas. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

Is Faro or Messina Better for Families?

Messina is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Faro is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Messina is a very family-friendly destination. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which is very kid-friendly.

Faro is not the most family-friendly destination. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Is Faro or Messina Better for Couples?

Faro and Messina are both good to visit as a couple.

Faro is a nice destination for couples. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

Messina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Faro or Messina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Messina are good places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

Messina is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

Is Faro or Messina Better for Students?

Messina is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Messina. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

Faro is not popular with students.

Is Faro or Messina Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Faro and Messina both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Faro offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

Messina has a few public transit options. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

Is Faro or Messina a more walkable city?

Messina is great for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its high level of walkability.

Messina is very walkable. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

Faro is a somewhat walkable place. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Faro Worth Visiting? and Is Messina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Messina or Faro?

How long in Faro or Messina?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Messina than Faro 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 Messina.

One day in Faro or Messina?

In Faro, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Messina. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Faro or Messina?

In Faro, you'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer.

Messina is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Faro or Messina?

Faro is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Faro has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the bustling destination of Messina. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Faro or Messina?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Faro. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Faro. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

The bustling port city of Messina offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Faro and Messina, we can see that Faro 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 Faro Expensive? and Is Messina Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Faro or Messina?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro and Messina, 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 Faro or Messina?

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 Faro or Messina in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Messina. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Faro is around the same temperature as Messina in the summer. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Messina. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Messina. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Messina in the Autumn?

Both Messina and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Messina in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Messina during autumn. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. In October, Faro usually receives less rain than Messina. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Faro or Messina in the Winter?

Both Messina and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Messina. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun.

Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Faro usually gets less rain in January than Messina. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Messina in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Messina. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Messina during spring. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Faro usually receives less rain than Messina. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Messina and Faro