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

Should you visit Messina or Chartres?

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 Chartres 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres

Chartres is a historic, grand, and spectacular town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for food and museums.

Messina and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Chartres?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Messina. Although Messina and Chartres are popular destinations, Messina has more sights and attractions for tourists. Messina is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres attracts visitors for its small town charm. 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. Chartres is famous for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Messina different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Messina and Chartres 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.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Messina and Chartres.

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).

Chartres has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Messina or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Messina is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Messina or Chartres Better for Beaches?

Messina is adequate for the beache. However, Chartres 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.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Chartres?

Messina is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Messina or Chartres Better for Families?

Messina is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Messina is very family-friendly. 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.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Messina or Chartres Better for Couples?

Both Messina and Chartres 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.

Chartres makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Messina or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina and Chartres 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 Chartres. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Is Messina or Chartres Better for Students?

Messina is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Chartres is well known for its public transit. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Chartres. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

While Messina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

Is Messina or Chartres a more walkable city?

Messina and Chartres both are excellent 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.

Chartres is a very walkable port city. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Messina?

How long in Messina or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Messina or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Messina than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Messina, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

Families should spend more time in Messina than Chartres. 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 Chartres. 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 Chartres 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 Chartres?

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.

In Chartres, you'll find food and museums. This town 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 Chartres?

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.

In Chartres, you'll find museums and food. 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 Chartres has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Chartres?

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.

Chartres 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 Chartres?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Messina and Chartres, 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 Messina Expensive? and Is Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Messina or Chartres?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Chartres, 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 Chartres?

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 Messina or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Messina during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Messina is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the summer temperatures in Messina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Chartres averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Chartres. Many visitors come to Messina in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Messina is generally much warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 21°C (69°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Messina usually receives more rain than Chartres. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Chartres. Most visitors come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Chartres because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Chartres can be very cold. Messina is much warmer than Chartres in the winter. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Chartres fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Messina often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In the spring, Messina is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Chartres averages at about 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives more rain than Chartres. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Messina