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

Should you visit Messina or Costa de Prata?

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 Costa de Prata 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 Costa de Prata?

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.

Costa de Prata

Costa de Prata is a region located on the Silver Coast of Portugal, an hour north of Lisbon. The area is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and relaxed, welcoming, atmosphere. The area experiences gorgeous weather nearly all year round, with temperatures in the high 70's and 80's Fahrenheit from May-September. June-August sees the warmest ocean temperatures, making these the best months for swimming. Even during their winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60°F, although ocean temperatures drop, making swimming a bit colder.

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 10-Day Tours in Portugal, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal.

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

When is the best time to visit Messina or Costa de Prata?

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 Costa de Prata in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Messina as well as Costa de Prata. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Messina is a little warmer than Costa de Prata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Messina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In the summer, Messina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Costa de Prata. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 308 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets more rain in July than Costa de Prata. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Costa de Prata in the Autumn?

Both Costa de Prata and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Messina in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Messina is generally a little warmer than Costa de Prata. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 21°C (69°F), and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Messina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Costa de Prata during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Costa de Prata. It's quite rainy in Messina. In October, Messina usually receives more rain than Costa de Prata. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Costa de Prata in the Winter?

Both Costa de Prata and Messina during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Messina is a little warmer than Costa de Prata in the winter. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Messina often gets less sunshine than Costa de Prata. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 124 hours of full sun.

Costa de Prata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually gets less rain in January than Costa de Prata. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Costa de Prata in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Costa de Prata. The spring months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Messina is around the same temperature as Costa de Prata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Costa de Prata this time of the year. In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Messina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Costa de Prata during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Costa de Prata and Messina