A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Helsinki or Pompeii?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Pompeii 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a waterfront, active, and nature-focused city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a famous, iconic, and one-of-a-kind archeological site. Visitors also love the museums.

Helsinki and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pompeii. Although Helsinki and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Pompeii has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pompeii is more popular for its museums, while Helsinki is known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pompeii is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is also home to the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Helsinki is popular for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Helsinki different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Pompeii?

Pompeii is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Pompeii are world-renowned. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Is the Food Better in Helsinki or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Helsinki is very good for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Helsinki is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Helsinki or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Helsinki is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Pompeii?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Helsinki. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Helsinki or Pompeii Better for Families?

Both Helsinki and Pompeii are superb to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Pompeii is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Is Helsinki or Pompeii Better for Couples?

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

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Helsinki or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Pompeii are both good destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Helsinki or Pompeii Better for Students?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Helsinki is very popular with students. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Is Helsinki or Pompeii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Helsinki offers a very effecient public transportation network. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Helsinki or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Pompeii. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

For even more information, also check out Is Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Helsinki or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Helsinki than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Helsinki than Pompeii 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 Helsinki.

One day in Helsinki or Pompeii?

In Helsinki, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Pompeii?

In Helsinki, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Helsinki has to offer.

Pompeii is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this archeological site makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pompeii, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Pompeii?

Helsinki is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Pompeii is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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.

A week in Helsinki or Pompeii?

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

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This archeological site offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Helsinki or Pompeii?

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 Helsinki or Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Helsinki is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Pompeii. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Helsinki is generally much colder than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Helsinki usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Pompeii. The winter months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums are the main draw to Pompeii this time of year.

The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Helsinki is much colder than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Pompeii. The natural beauty are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.

It's quite cold in Helsinki in the spring. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Helsinki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Helsinki