A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Messina vs. Rouen for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Messina or Rouen?

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 Rouen 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen

Rouen is a relaxing, historical, and charming city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Messina and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Rouen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Messina than Rouen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Messina is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Rouen attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. 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. Rouen is famous for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Messina different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Messina and Rouen 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.

Rouen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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

Rouen 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, Rouen makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

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 Rouen Better for Nightlife?

Messina is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Messina has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Messina or Rouen Better for Beaches?

Messina is a moderate port city for the beache. However, Rouen 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.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Messina or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Messina does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Rouen to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Rouen?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Rouen 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 Rouen. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Messina or Rouen Better for Families?

Messina is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Messina is a very kid-friendly port city. 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.

Rouen is a family-friendly port city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

Is Messina or Rouen Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Rouen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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 Rouen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Messina. 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.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Messina or Rouen Better for Students?

Messina is a popular place for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Messina is a good port city to visit for 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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen a more walkable city?

Messina and Rouen 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.

Rouen is a very walkable port city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Messina?

How long in Messina or Rouen?

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

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

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

In Messina, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this local 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 Rouen, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Rouen?

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 Rouen, 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 Rouen has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Rouen?

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.

Rouen 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 Rouen?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic 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 Rouen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rouen. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Messina and Rouen, 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 Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Messina or Rouen?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Rouen, 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 Rouen?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Messina or Rouen in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Rouen. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Messina is much warmer than Rouen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Messina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Rouen averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rouen this time of the year. In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during summer. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Messina usually receives less rain than Rouen. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Messina or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Messina as well as Rouen. Many visitors come to Messina in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Messina is generally much warmer than Rouen. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 21°C (69°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Messina often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 127 hours of full sun.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Messina usually gets more rain in October than Rouen. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Rouen in the Winter?

Both Rouen and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rouen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Rouen can be very cold. Messina is much warmer than Rouen in the winter. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Rouen during winter. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Messina. In January, Messina usually receives more rain than Rouen. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Messina or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Messina during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In the spring, Messina is much warmer than Rouen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Rouen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Messina. In the spring, Messina often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets more rain in April than Rouen. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Messina