A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Messina vs. Chefchaouen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Messina or Chefchaouen?

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 Chefchaouen 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.

Where Should I go: Messina or Chefchaouen?

Messina

Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.

Chefchaouen

To feel like you've really stepped back in time to the glory days of Morocco, you're going to want to spend time in Chefchaouen. This town's beautiful medina is filled with white washed buildings with blue highlights. The wandering alleyways provide a fairy tale setting where you can relax for a few days. This mountainous region is a humble example of the classic picture of this area. Set against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains, the white and powder blue accented buildings and call to calls to prayer throughout the day let every visitor know they've arrived in a relaxing spot of peace and serenity.

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 Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Chefchaouen or Messina?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Messina is €118, while the average daily cost in Chefchaouen is €54. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Messina and Chefchaouen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Messina 65
    Chefchaouen 23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Messina 130
    Chefchaouen 46
Compare Hotels in Messina and Chefchaouen

Looking for a hotel in Messina or Chefchaouen? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Messina


Hotels in Chefchaouen


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Messina Hotel Prices and Chefchaouen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Messina 22
    Chefchaouen 14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Messina

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Messina:

  • From Private Air-Conditioned Transfer to Taormina: $99

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chefchaouen

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chefchaouen:


  • Taxi Ride
    0.93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chefchaouen

Also for Chefchaouen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One-Way Transfer from Tangier to Fez via chefchaouen : $295
  • Chefchaouen to Fes Private Transfer: $125
  • Chefchaouen to Fes Private Transfer - Luxury Car - or Fez to Chefchaouen: $174
  • Chefchaouen to Fes: Private Transfer (English Speaking Driver): $244
  • Chefchaouen to Tangier private transfer: $118
  • Chefchaouen to the city of Casablanca Private Transfer: $173
  • Fes: One-Way Transfer to Chefchaouen "The Blue City": $27
  • Fes: Transfer to Tangier via Chefchaouen: $185
  • From Fes:2-Day Transfers to Chefchaouen & back to Fez/Tanger: $75
  • One way transfer Chefchaouen to Fes or vice versa: $116
  • One-Way Transfer from Chefchaouen to Fes: $27
  • One-Way Transfer from Chefchaouen to Fes : $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Messina or Chefchaouen?

Prices for flights to both Chefchaouen and Messina change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Messina 37
    Chefchaouen 17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Messina

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Messina.

  • Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal: $112
  • Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina: $115
  • Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
  • Messina Private Home Cooking Class: $155
  • Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina: $158
  • Market Tour, Private Home Cooking Class and Dinner: $202

Typical Food Prices in Chefchaouen

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chefchaouen:


  • Lunch for Two
    8.41
  • Dinner for Two
    9.34
  • Cupcake
    0.28
  • Nutella and Yogurt
    1.87

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chefchaouen

For Chefchaouen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Funny Family Cooking Class in Blue City: $28
  • Cooking Class in Mountain From Chefchaouen: $44
  • Vegetarian food Cooking Class in Chefchaouen: $44
  • 3-Hour Cooking Class overlooking the Blue City: $55
  • 4 hours Private Cooking Class With Family in Chefchaouen: $60
  • Chefchaouen Cooking Class : $65
  • Chefchaouen Food Tour: $65
  • Chefchaouen Food Tour: $68
  • Guided Food Tour with over 6 Tasting Stops: $69
  • Discovery more Chefchaouen evening food tour with locals: $70
  • Make Your Own Tajine and Pastilla Cooking Class: $76
  • Chefchaouen Traditional Cooking Class: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Messina 21
    Chefchaouen 16

Tours and Activities in Messina

Here are a few actual costs in Messina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion: $120
  • Messina Taormina: cultural heritage experience: $85
  • 2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour: $46
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Messina: $271
  • 3-Hour Messina Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
  • Alfotour 2/3 hour tour with swimming stop: $32
  • Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Messina: $152
  • Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape : $126
  • Etna Taormina and Castelmola The best excursion for cruise passengers from Messina: $208
  • Etna and Taormina Private Tour from Giardini Naxos: $240
  • From Private Guided Day Tour of Savoca and Taormina: $642
  • From Private Tour of Etna & Taormina with Pickup: $684

Tours and Activities in Chefchaouen

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chefchaouen.

  • Walking Tour in Chefchaouen: $14
  • Chefchaouen with Local Eyes Guided Walking Tour: $15
  • Tour by local guide : $16
  • Chefchaouen Tour with Aman: $20
  • Chefchaouen tour guide: $22
  • From Fez: Day Tour to the Blue Town of Chefchaouenf: $26
  • From Fez: Day Tour to the Blue Town of Chefchaouen: $28
  • Day Tour to Chefchaouen from Fes with Local Expert: $28
  • Best Experience Fes to Chefchaouen Day Tour multi languages: $34
  • From Fez: Chefchaouen Guided Day Tour: $35
  • 3-Hour Private Legacy Tour in Chefchaouen: $35
  • Discover Chefchaouen : A Walking Tour through Hidden Gems: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Messina 18
    Chefchaouen 13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Messina and Chefchaouen, we can see that Messina is more expensive. And not only is Chefchaouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Messina is in Europe and Chefchaouen is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chefchaouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chefchaouen 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 Messina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Messina than you might in Chefchaouen.

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


Which is Bigger, Messina or Chefchaouen?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chefchaouen. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Chefchaouen, 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 Chefchaouen?

Messina has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chefchaouen experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Chefchaouen in the Summer?

Both Chefchaouen and Messina during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chefchaouen year-round.

In July, Messina is generally a little warmer than Chefchaouen. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 27°C (80°F), and Chefchaouen fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

In Chefchaouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chefchaouen. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chefchaouen receives 346 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets more rain in July than Chefchaouen. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Messina 27°C (80°F) 
    Chefchaouen 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Messina or Chefchaouen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Chefchaouen. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Chefchaouen attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Messina is around the same temperature as Chefchaouen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Chefchaouen fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chefchaouen this time of the year. Messina usually receives less sunshine than Chefchaouen during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Chefchaouen receives 235 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 Chefchaouen. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Messina 21°C (69°F) 
    Chefchaouen 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Messina or Chefchaouen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Chefchaouen. Many travelers come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chefchaouen throughout the year.

In the winter, Messina is around the same temperature as Chefchaouen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Messina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Chefchaouen averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Messina often gets less sunshine than Chefchaouen. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chefchaouen receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chefchaouen. Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets less rain in January than Chefchaouen. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Messina 13°C (55°F) 
    Chefchaouen 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Messina or Chefchaouen in the Spring?

Both Chefchaouen and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Messina in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Chefchaouen because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Messina is generally around the same temperature as Chefchaouen. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 16°C (60°F), and Chefchaouen fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Chefchaouen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives less sunshine than Chefchaouen during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Chefchaouen receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives more rain than Chefchaouen. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Chefchaouen receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Messina 16°C (60°F) 
    Chefchaouen 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Chefchaouen and Messina

Messina Chefchaouen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 113 mm (4.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 13°C (56°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 24°C (74°F) 14 mm (0.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 19 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (74°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 24 mm (1 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Nov 17°C (62°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)