A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Messina vs. Lake Garda for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Messina or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Messina and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Lake Garda?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Messina. Although Messina and Lake Garda are popular destinations, Messina has more sights and attractions for tourists. Messina is very popular for its big city activities, while Lake Garda attracts visitors for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Lake Garda is more touristy than Messina and is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. 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 Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Messina and Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

Lake Garda is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lake Garda makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Messina has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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).

Is Messina or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Messina and Lake Garda.

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.

Many people head to Lake Garda for the nightlife scene. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

Is Messina or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is well known for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beache.

The beaches at Lake Garda attract visitors from all over. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

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

Is Messina or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Messina is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Messina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Lake Garda?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Messina or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an extremely popular lake to visit for families. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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.

Is Messina or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

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 Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina and Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Is Messina or Lake Garda Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students 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.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

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

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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 Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Messina and Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is a very walkable port city. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Messina?

How long in Messina or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Messina or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Messina, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

Families should spend more time in Lake Garda than Messina. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lake Garda, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Messina or Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the bustling port city of Messina, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Lake Garda, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This lake offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Messina or Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Messina, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

In Lake Garda, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lake Garda has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Lake Garda?

Messina, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Lake Garda?

Messina is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lake Garda. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Messina or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Messina as well as Lake Garda. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Messina is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the summer temperatures in Messina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In the summer, Messina often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda 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. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Messina is generally a little warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 21°C (69°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Messina. In October, Messina usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda 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. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lake Garda can be very cold. Messina is much warmer than Lake Garda in the winter. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Messina often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Lake Garda. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Lake Garda. The spring months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

In the spring, Messina is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Messina