A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Frankfurt vs. Milan for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Attractions

Should you visit Frankfurt or Milan?

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 Frankfurt and Milan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern 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.

Milan

Milan is a chic, cultural, and trendy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Frankfurt and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Milan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Milan than Frankfurt. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. Milan is famous for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also well known for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Frankfurt different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Frankfurt or Milan?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Milan and Frankfurt.

Many visitors head to Frankfurt specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Milan can be an interesting and educational experience. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

Is the Food Better in Frankfurt or Milan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Milan has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Frankfurt or Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Milan is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

The people in Frankfurt know how to have a good time. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Frankfurt or Milan Better for Music?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Milan has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Frankfurt or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Milan offers plenty to see. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Milan?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Milan specifically to go shopping. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

Frankfurt is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Frankfurt or Milan Better for Families?

Frankfurt is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Frankfurt or Milan Better for Couples?

Milan is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Milan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Frankfurt or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt and Milan are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Milan. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

Is Frankfurt or Milan Better for Students?

Both Frankfurt and Milan are amazing destinations for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Milan is a great destination for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

Is Frankfurt or Milan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find amazing public transit in both Frankfurt and Milan.

Visitors in Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Milan has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

Is Frankfurt or Milan a more walkable city?

Milan is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Milan. In particular, the city center is walkable.

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Milan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milan or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Milan?

In either Frankfurt or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Frankfurt because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Frankfurt, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Milan than Frankfurt 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 Milan.

One day in Frankfurt or Milan?

Each neighborhood in Frankfurt has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Milan. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Milan has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Frankfurt or Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

You'll find live music and food around the trendy big city of Milan. 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 Frankfurt or Milan?

Frankfurt is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Frankfurt. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the trendy city of Milan. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Frankfurt or Milan?

You'll find food and shopping around the modern big city of Frankfurt. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Milan 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Milan?

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

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 Frankfurt or Milan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Milan. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Milan in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Frankfurt is cooler than Milan in the summer. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milan this time of the year. In Frankfurt, it's very sunny this time of the year. Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Milan during summer. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of rain as Milan. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Milan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Milan. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Milan for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Frankfurt is cooler than Milan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Frankfurt in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Milan averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Milan. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Milan. Frankfurt usually gets less rain in October than Milan. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Milan in the Winter?

Both Milan and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Milan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Milan can be very cold. Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. In January, Frankfurt is generally much colder than Milan. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 1°C (34°F), and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Milan during winter. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Milan. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Milan in the Spring?

Both Milan and Frankfurt during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

Frankfurt is cooler than Milan in the spring. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Milan. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in April than Milan. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Milan and Frankfurt