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

Should you visit Messina or Giverny?

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 Giverny 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.

Giverny

Giverny is a inspiring, picturesque, and peaceful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food and museums.

Messina and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Giverny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Messina. Although Messina and Giverny 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 Giverny attracts visitors for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Messina and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. 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.

How is Messina different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Giverny is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Giverny. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

Messina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

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

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

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).

Giverny has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Messina or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Messina is great for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Messina or Giverny Better for Beaches?

Messina is adequate for the beache. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Giverny?

Messina is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Messina or Giverny Better for Families?

Messina is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Messina or Giverny Better for Couples?

Giverny is well known for romance. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Giverny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Messina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Messina or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina and Giverny 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 Giverny. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Messina or Giverny Better for Students?

Messina is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny is not popular with students.

Is Messina or Giverny 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 Giverny.

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 Giverny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Messina or Giverny a more walkable city?

Messina is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Messina is a very walkable port city. 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.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable port city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Messina?

How long in Messina or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Messina or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Messina than Giverny 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 Giverny.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Messina than Giverny 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny, 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 Giverny has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Giverny?

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.

Giverny 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Giverny. 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 Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Messina and Giverny, we can see that Giverny 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 Giverny Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Messina or Giverny?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 450 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny 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 Giverny in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Giverny, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets more sunshine than Giverny. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in July than Giverny. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Giverny in the Autumn?

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

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

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Giverny during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 127 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 Giverny. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Giverny in the Winter?

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

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

In the winter, Messina often gets more sunshine than Giverny. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Messina or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny 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 and the natural beauty are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

In the spring, Messina is a little warmer than Giverny. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Giverny 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 Giverny during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives more rain than Giverny. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Messina