A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Messina vs. Lucca for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Messina or Lucca?

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 Lucca 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 local, historic, and bustling port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lucca

Lucca is a quaint, popular, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Messina and Lucca: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Lucca?

You'll generally find more things to do in Messina than Lucca. Messina is bigger than Lucca, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Messina is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Lucca is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Lucca is more touristy than Messina and is known for its ancient city walls and its many historic buildings. Messina is well known for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. Also, Messina is famous for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Messina different from Lucca?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lucca 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 Lucca. There are many interesting historic sights and buildings around this charming town. You can climb to the top of the Guinigi Tower or visit the Roman Amphitheater. Many visitors enjoy walking or biking around the city walls as well. Also make sure you visit the cathedral.

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 Lucca? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lucca 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, Lucca makes for a great culinary experience. There are many great Tuscan restaurants inside the city walls. Perhaps the most popular local dish is tordelli Lucchesi. Its a meat filled pasta that has a beef ragu sauce. There are also other Tuscan recipes that include steak, boar, or rabbit.

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 Lucca Better for Nightlife?

Messina is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Lucca is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Lucca has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is most lively during the spring and summer months when tourists crowd into the city. For the highest concentration of bars, clubs, and lounges, head to Piazza Amfiteatro, Piazza San Michele and Via Fillungo.

Is Messina or Lucca Better for Beaches?

Messina is a port city with a few options for the beach. However, Lucca is not a beach destination.

The beach in Messina is worth checking out. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Lucca is not a beach destination.

Is Messina or Lucca Better for its Old Town?

Lucca is renowned for its historic old town. However, Messina does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Lucca is one of the most recognized in the world. The historic city is surrounded by city walls, which you can walk around. Within the walls there are cobblestone streets and a charming atmosphere.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Lucca?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lucca 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 Lucca. The city is filled with a mix of tourist shops and more authentic local vendors. If you look hard, you can still find some interesting local items that make for a more unique and personal shopping experience.

Is Messina or Lucca Better for Families?

Messina is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Lucca is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Messina is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Lucca offers lots of family activities. You can pass through town in a day or two, or stay longer and use it as a base for exploring Tuscany. There are playgrounds for the kids as well as some fun activities like cycling the city walls and climbing towers.

Is Messina or Lucca Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Lucca frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a beautiful city with good restaurants and access to nice countryside. Couples who want to explore Tuscany can use this town as a base to take in much of the region.

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 Lucca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina and Lucca are notable 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 Lucca. While there aren't many traditional hostels around town, guesthouses are usually affordable.

Is Messina or Lucca Better for Students?

Messina is a port city with good options for students. However, Lucca is not popular with students.

Messina is popular with students. 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.

Lucca is not popular with students.

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

Messina is a port city with good options for its public transit. However, Lucca is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is quite limited in Lucca. There's no public transit within the city so if you can't walk somewhere, you'll want to take a taxi. In general, walking is the best option though.

Is Messina or Lucca a more walkable city?

Messina and Lucca both are great 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.

Lucca is a very walkable port city. Much of the city can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Lucca or Messina?

How long in Messina or Lucca?

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

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

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

In Messina, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Lucca, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city 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 Lucca?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Messina. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Lucca, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lucca has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Lucca?

Messina is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Messina. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Lucca is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Lucca?

You'll find food and shopping around the local destination of Messina. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucca. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lucca. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 comparing the travel costs between Messina and Lucca, 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 Lucca Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Messina or Lucca?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lucca. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Lucca, 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.