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

Should you visit Messina or Strasbourg?

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 Strasbourg 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 historic, bustling, and local port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Strasbourg

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

Messina and Strasbourg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Strasbourg?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Messina. Although Messina and Strasbourg are both popular with visitors, Messina has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Messina is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Strasbourg is known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Strasbourg is more touristy than Messina and is popular for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses. Messina is popular for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. It is also home to Piazza del Duomo.

How is Messina different from Strasbourg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg. It is filled with grand monuments and historic landmarks. Many are concentrated in La Petite France and highlights include Strasbourg Cathedral, Barrage Vauban, Ponts Couverts, and Église Saint-Thomas.

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 Strasbourg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Strasbourg 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, Strasbourg makes for a great culinary experience. The cuisine combines French and German flavors for rich and hearty flavors. Popular dishes include Tarte Flambée, Alsatian Sausages, and Baeckeoffe (meat and vegetable stew). Also make sure you sample the Sauerkraut, munster cheese, and Reisling wine.

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 Strasbourg Better for Nightlife?

Messina is a great port city for nightlife. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Messina has something for everybody. 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 Strasbourg. It's most famous for its monuments and charm, but the city also has plenty to do at night. The liveliest areas are The Krutenau (for students and tourists alike), The Grande-île, and La Petite France.

Is Messina or Strasbourg Better for Beaches?

Messina is adequate for its beaches. However, Strasbourg is not a beach destination.

Messina is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Strasbourg is not a beach destination.

Is Messina or Strasbourg Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Strasbourg is one of the most recognized in the world. Known as La Petite France, the old town is filled with charming squares, historic monuments, and beautiful architecture.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Strasbourg?

Strasbourg is well known for shopping. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Strasbourg is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city center is filled with pedestrian shopping streets and boutique stores. For some of the best shopping make sure you check out the main thoroughfare of Grand'Rue. If you want to pick up some trinkets or souvenirs, head to Place de la Cathédrale, and for department store shopping head to Galeries Lafayette Strasbourg.

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.

Is Messina or Strasbourg Better for Families?

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

Messina is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Strasbourg is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to Zoo de l’Orangerie or La Montagne des Singes. If the kids need to stretch their legs you can head to Deux-Rives Garden or on a rainy day check out Planetarium De Strasbourg or the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg.

Is Messina or Strasbourg Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Strasbourg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the region and it is filled with romance. There is beautiful architecture, romantic restaurants, wine tours, and flower filled parks. The scenic squares and grand cathedrals offer a truly perfect couples getaway.

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 Strasbourg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina and Strasbourg are good 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 Strasbourg. The city has a handful of hostels that offer affordable accommodation for those on a shoestring budget.

Is Messina or Strasbourg Better for Students?

Messina and Strasbourg are good places to visit for 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.

It's common for students to visit Strasbourg. Students appreciate the mix of traditional culture and international opportunities.

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

Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg. The city has six tramlines and a number of bus routes.

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 Strasbourg a more walkable city?

Messina and Strasbourg both are superb 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.

Strasbourg is a very walkable port city. One of the best ways to explore the city is on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Strasbourg or Messina?

How long in Messina or Strasbourg?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Messina and Strasbourg. In our opinion, Strasbourg has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Strasbourg than Messina. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg.

One day in Messina or Strasbourg?

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

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 Strasbourg, 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 Strasbourg has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Strasbourg?

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.

Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg?

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 Strasbourg. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Strasbourg. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Messina or Strasbourg?

Strasbourg has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Messina. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Strasbourg, 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 Strasbourg?

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 Strasbourg in the Summer?

Both Strasbourg and Messina during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Messina in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Strasbourg for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Messina is a little warmer than Strasbourg in the summer. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Strasbourg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Strasbourg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets more sunshine than Strasbourg. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Strasbourg receives 240 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in July than Strasbourg. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Strasbourg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Strasbourg. Most visitors come to Messina for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Strasbourg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Messina is much warmer than Strasbourg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Messina in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Strasbourg averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Strasbourg during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Strasbourg receives 101 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 Strasbourg. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Strasbourg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Strasbourg. The winter months attract visitors to Messina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Strasbourg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Strasbourg in the winter. In January, Messina is generally much warmer than Strasbourg. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 13°C (55°F), and Strasbourg fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

In the winter, Messina often gets more sunshine than Strasbourg. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Strasbourg receives 42 hours of full sun.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Strasbourg. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Strasbourg in the Spring?

Both Strasbourg and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Strasbourg for the natural beauty.

Messina is a little warmer than Strasbourg in the spring. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Strasbourg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Strasbourg during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Strasbourg receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives more rain than Strasbourg. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Strasbourg receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Strasbourg and Messina