A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Messina vs. Calais for Nightlife, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Messina or Calais?

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 Calais 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 local, historic, and bustling port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Messina and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Calais?

You'll generally find more things to do in Messina than Calais. Messina is bigger than Calais, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Messina is better known for its nightlife, while Calais is more popular for its beaches. Messina is more touristy than Calais and is known for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. Also, Messina is famous for Piazza del Duomo. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Messina different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais 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 Calais?

Both Messina and Calais have notable 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.

Calais offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Messina and Calais.

Messina offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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).

Calais has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Messina or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Messina is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Messina is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Messina or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beache.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Calais. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Calais?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Calais 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 Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Messina or Calais Better for Families?

Messina is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Messina or Calais Better for Couples?

Both Messina and Calais are notable 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.

Calais makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Messina or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Messina. 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Messina or Calais Better for Students?

Messina is a popular place for students. However, Calais is not popular with 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

Is Messina or Calais 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 Calais.

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 Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Messina or Calais a more walkable city?

Messina is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Messina?

How long in Messina or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Messina and Calais. In our opinion, Messina has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Messina than Calais. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Messina, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Messina than Calais. 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.

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

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

One day in Messina or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Messina. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Messina or Calais?

Messina is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Calais, 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 Calais has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Messina. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Messina. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Messina and Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais 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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Messina or Calais?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Messina is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 27°C (80°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Calais during summer. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Messina usually receives less rain than Calais. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Messina or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Messina during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Messina in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Messina is much warmer than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Messina often gets more sunshine than Calais. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Calais. Most visitors come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Calais because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Calais can be very cold. In the winter, Messina is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Messina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Calais during winter. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Messina usually receives more rain than Calais. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Messina or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Messina as well as Calais. The spring months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In April, Messina is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 16°C (60°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In the spring, Messina often gets more sunshine than Calais. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Messina