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

Should you visit Marbella or Messina?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella 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.

Marbella

Marbella is a fun-filled, high energy, and ritzy resort town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Messina

Messina is a bustling, local, and historic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Marbella and Messina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Messina?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Marbella than Messina. While Messina is larger than Marbella, Marbella has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marbella is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Messina attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Marbella is more touristy than Messina and is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also well known for Plaza de los Naranjos. Messina is famous for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry.

How is Marbella different from Messina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Messina is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Messina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Marbella and Messina offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

Marbella has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Messina area. 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).

Is Marbella or Messina Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is renowned for nightlife. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Marbella is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

Many people head to Messina for the nightlife scene. 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 Marbella or Messina Better for Music?

Marbella is well known for live music. However, Messina is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Marbella. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Messina is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Messina Better for Resorts?

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

Marbella is a world class resort vacation destination. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

Messina is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Messina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is renowned for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Marbella is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Messina Better for Beaches?

Marbella is renowned for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beache.

Marbella is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

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

Is Marbella or Messina Better for its Old Town?

Marbella 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 Marbella to see the historical old town. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Messina?

Marbella is renowned for shopping. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Marbella is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Messina. 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 Marbella or Messina Better for Families?

Marbella and Messina are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Marbella is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Messina is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Marbella or Messina Better for Couples?

Marbella is renowned for romance. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Marbella is a great resort town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

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 Marbella or Messina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella and Messina are both nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marbella. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

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 Marbella or Messina Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students 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.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

Messina is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Marbella or Messina a more walkable city?

Marbella and Messina are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Marbella is a very walkable resort town. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

Messina is a very walkable destination. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Messina or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Messina?

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

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

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

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

One day in Marbella or Messina?

In Marbella, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. 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.

The port city of Messina offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marbella or Messina?

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

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

Five days in Marbella or Messina?

Marbella 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 Marbella has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Messina is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Marbella or Messina?

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

Messina is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Messina?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella 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 Marbella 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 Marbella or Messina in the Summer?

Both Messina and Marbella during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marbella is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 25°C (77°F), and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marbella. In the summer, Marbella often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Messina. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Messina. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Messina in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Messina. Many travelers come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Messina in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Marbella is around the same temperature as Messina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Messina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Messina during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Messina. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Messina in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Messina. Many visitors come to Marbella 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 the winter, Marbella is around the same temperature as Messina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marbella in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Messina averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Messina. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Messina. Marbella usually gets less rain in January than Messina. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Messina in the Spring?

Both Messina and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Marbella is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 16°C (60°F), and Messina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Messina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Messina during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Messina. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Messina and Marbella