A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Messina vs. Bergamo for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Attractions

Should you visit Messina or Bergamo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Messina and Bergamo 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.

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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergamo

Bergamo is a fascinating, beautiful, and under-rated city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Messina and Bergamo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Bergamo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Messina than Bergamo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Messina is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Bergamo attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Messina is famous for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. It is also well known for Piazza del Duomo. Bergamo is famous for its historical buildings and beautiful squares.

How is Messina different from Bergamo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Messina and Bergamo have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Bergamo offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are historical buildings as well as fascinating museums that are worth checking out. Highlights include the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Colleoni Chapel, the Accademia Carrara, and the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro.

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

Bergamo is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bergamo makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find traditional restaurants around town that serve the local specialties, many of which have their roots in peasant dishes. The flavors are humble but high quality and the food is fresh and masterfully prepared.

Messina has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Messina or Bergamo Better for Nightlife?

Messina is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergamo. Despite not being high on the itinerary of many travelers, the city has a great nightlife scene that includes many local bars and clubs. You can enjoy a local brew or sip some Italian wine while you enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.

Is Messina or Bergamo Better for Beaches?

Messina is a moderate port city for the beache. However, Bergamo is not a beach destination.

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

Bergamo is not a beach destination.

Is Messina or Bergamo Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Bergamo to see the historical old town. Since the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has become more popular with visitors. Still, you can enjoy the authentic and less touristy vibe of this beautiful city.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Bergamo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bergamo and Messina.

Messina is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bergamo. There are a number of shopping areas around town including shopping malls and shopping streets. You'll find most of the major brands as well as some interesting boutique shops.

Is Messina or Bergamo Better for Families?

Messina is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Bergamo is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Messina is a very kid-friendly port city. 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.

Bergamo is not always a place people visit with their families. It's a beautiful city that is filled with history, and for kids there are pedestrian streets to explore and great Italian food. There's also the Museo di Scienze Naturali, which is worth checking out.

Is Messina or Bergamo Better for Couples?

Both Messina and Bergamo are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Messina is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Bergamo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the beautiful architecture and impressive squares. There are also great restaurants and pedestrian streets that are fun to wander through.

Is Messina or Bergamo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina and Bergamo are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Messina is a good port city 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bergamo. While it's not the most popular backpacker city in Italy, it does have a couple of hostels and guesthouses that offer affordable rates and a young vibe.

Is Messina or Bergamo Better for Students?

Messina and Bergamo are nice places to visit for students.

Messina is popular with students. 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.

It's common for students to visit Bergamo. The university attracts international students and the city makes a great base for learning and exploring.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Messina and Bergamo.

You'll find some public transit in Messina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

While Bergamo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town as well as two funiculars, one connecting Città Bassa with the Città Alta and the other connecting Città Alta to San Vigilio.

Is Messina or Bergamo a more walkable city?

Messina and Bergamo both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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.

Bergamo is a very walkable port city. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergamo or Messina?

How long in Messina or Bergamo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Messina and Bergamo. In our opinion, Messina has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Messina than Bergamo. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Messina than Bergamo. 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.

One day in Messina or Bergamo?

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

In Bergamo, 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.

A weekend in Messina or Bergamo?

In Messina, 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 Messina has to offer.

In Bergamo, 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 Bergamo has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Bergamo?

Messina 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.

Bergamo 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.

A week in Messina or Bergamo?

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

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

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Messina or Bergamo?

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

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 Messina or Bergamo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Bergamo. Most visitors come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bergamo because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Messina is a little warmer than Bergamo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Messina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Bergamo averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bergamo this time of the year. In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Bergamo during summer. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Messina usually receives less rain than Bergamo. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Messina or Bergamo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Messina as well as Bergamo. The autumn months attract visitors to Messina because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bergamo this time of year.

In October, Messina is generally a little warmer than Bergamo. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 21°C (69°F), and Bergamo fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Messina often gets more sunshine than Bergamo. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bergamo. Messina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Messina usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bergamo. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Bergamo in the Winter?

Both Bergamo and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergamo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bergamo. Messina is much warmer than Bergamo in the winter. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Bergamo fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Bergamo during winter. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Messina. In January, Messina usually receives more rain than Bergamo. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Messina or Bergamo in the Spring?

Both Bergamo and Messina during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bergamo in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Messina is a little warmer than Bergamo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Bergamo averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Messina. In the spring, Messina often gets more sunshine than Bergamo. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 169 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in April than Bergamo. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergamo and Messina