A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Messina vs. Saint-Etienne for Nightlife, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Messina or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Messina and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Saint-Etienne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Messina than Saint-Etienne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Messina is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Messina is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. It is also well known for Piazza del Duomo. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Messina different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Both Messina and Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Messina or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Messina is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Messina or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Messina is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Messina or Saint-Etienne Better for Beaches?

Messina is adequate for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Messina or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Messina is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Messina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Saint-Etienne?

Messina is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Messina or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Messina is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Messina or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Messina is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Messina or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Messina or Saint-Etienne Better for Students?

Messina is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Messina or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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 Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Messina or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Messina is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable port city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Messina Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Messina?

How long in Messina or Saint-Etienne?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Messina than Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the local destination of Messina. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. 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 Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Messina. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the bustling destination of Messina. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the port city of Messina. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Messina and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Messina or Saint-Etienne?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Messina during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Messina is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Messina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Saint-Etienne. Many travelers come to Messina for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Messina is generally much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 21°C (69°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Saint-Etienne. Many visitors come to Messina in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

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

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Messina is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Messina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Messina