A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kos vs. Piazza Armerina for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Kos or Piazza Armerina?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kos and Piazza Armerina 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.

Kos

Kos is a cultural, party-hard, and vibrant island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina is a authentic, historic, and charming town. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Kos and Piazza Armerina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Piazza Armerina?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kos. Although Kos and Piazza Armerina are popular destinations, Kos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kos is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Piazza Armerina attracts visitors for its historical sights. Kos is famous for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. It is also well known for Asklepieion Archeological Site. Piazza Armerina is famous for it's local atmosphere and its premiere historic sight - the Villa Romana del Casale.

How is Kos different from Piazza Armerina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kos or Piazza Armerina?

Kos is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Kos are among the most recognizable in the world. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

Piazza Armerina offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most people head to town specifically to visit Villa Romana del Casale, which is a few kilometers away. It's a beautiful Roman villa that can be explored in a few hours. Also in town is an Aragonese Castle and an 18th century Duomo.

Is the Food Better in Kos or Piazza Armerina? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kos is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Kos, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

Piazza Armerina is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most visitors pass through town, stopping to visit Villa Romana del Casale. There are some pizzerias and other casual restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for Nightlife?

Kos is notable for nightlife and partying. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its evening party scene.

Kos has plenty to do after the sun goes down. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

Piazza Armerina doesn't offer many options. While many tourists pass through town with the intent of visiting the Villa Romana del Casale, most don't linger long enough appreciate the town at night.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for Resorts?

Kos is a good destination for its resorts. However, Piazza Armerina is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Kos makes a nice vacation spot. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Piazza Armerina is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Piazza Armerina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Kos. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Piazza Armerina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for Beaches?

Kos is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Piazza Armerina is not a beach destination.

Kos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona Beach.

Piazza Armerina is not a beach destination.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for its Old Town?

Piazza Armerina is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.

Piazza Armerina is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town has a bit of authenticity that is missing from some of the more popular Sicilian cities. While it may feel a little worn to some people, those who like to get away from the souvenir shops will appreciate a visit.

Kos does not have a historic old town.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for Hiking?

Kos is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Piazza Armerina is not a hiking destination.

Kos offers some nice hiking trails. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Piazza Armerina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Piazza Armerina?

Kos is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Kos offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for Families?

Kos is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Kos is a family-friendly place to visit. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

Piazza Armerina is not always a place people visit with their families. Most people head to the town to explore the Villa Romana del Casale. The beauty and history may not thrill all kids, but if your kids enjoy a bit of history they will likely appreciate a visit. The town also has an Aragonese Castle that you can visit.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for Couples?

Kos is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Kos is a very popular place to visit for couples. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

Piazza Armerina is a good island for couples to visit. For history enthusiasts, this is a popular place to visit. Like most visitors, couples will appreciate a visit to the town's main attraction Villa Romana del Casale.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos is notable for backpackers. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kos is a great island to visit for backpackers. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Piazza Armerina is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's a popular tourist destination, there are a limited number of hostels in town.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kos is notable for its public transit. Also, Piazza Armerina is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Kos has some very good public transit options. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

Piazza Armerina has some public transit options. You can reach the town by bus and once there it's possible to explore on foot.

Is Kos or Piazza Armerina a more walkable city?

Kos and Piazza Armerina are very good when it comes to walkability.

Kos is very walkable. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Piazza Armerina is a very walkable island. You can explore most of the old and new towns on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Kos Worth Visiting? and Is Piazza Armerina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Piazza Armerina or Kos?

How long in Kos or Piazza Armerina?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kos or Piazza Armerina to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kos than Piazza Armerina because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 1-2 days is enough time in Piazza Armerina.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos than Piazza Armerina 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 Kos.

One day in Kos or Piazza Armerina?

The party-hard destination of Kos offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With food and museums around the charming destination of Piazza Armerina, there's plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Piazza Armerina?

The island of Kos offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Many people visit Piazza Armerina for a weekend. With museums and food around the historic town of Piazza Armerina, there's plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Piazza Armerina?

Kos is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This island offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

The destination of Piazza Armerina offers food and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. 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.

A week in Kos or Piazza Armerina?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kos. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Piazza Armerina, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Athens, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Greece, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kos or Piazza Armerina?

Piazza Armerina has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the sizes of Kos and Piazza Armerina, 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.