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

Should you visit Messina or Trento?

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 Trento 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.

Trento

Trento is a dynamic, youthful, and high energy city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Messina and Trento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Trento?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Messina than Trento, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Messina is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Trento is known for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. 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. Trento is popular for its beautiful mountain scenery and its historical buildings.

How is Messina different from Trento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Messina and Trento have good 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.

Trento offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Perhaps one of the most popular sights is Castello del Buonconsiglio. The Museum of Science is also fun for kids and adults alike and the Duomo is beautiful.

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

Trento 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, Trento makes for a great culinary experience. The food in the region is influenced by nearby countries such as Austria. Carne salada, which is like corned beef, has a long history in the area. Schüttelbrot is a local flatbread and meraner wurst is a bit like a hot dog. You'll also find salamis and various cheeses.

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 Trento Better for Nightlife?

Messina is great for nightlife. However, Trento is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

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.

Most people don't head to Trento specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Despite the large student population, there aren't a lot of bars and clubs around town. Most parties are held in private residences, so visitors may find the nightlife scene a bit slow.

Is Messina or Trento Better for Beaches?

Messina is adequate for its beaches. However, Trento 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.

Trento is not a beach destination.

Is Messina or Trento Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Trento. The surrounding countryside has many beautiful hikes and stunning viewpoints that make for a great outing outside of town.

Messina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Trento?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Trento 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 Trento. Head to the main shopping street, Via Balenzani for boutique shopping. You'll also find artisan shops and other unique vendors around town.

Is Messina or Trento Better for Families?

Messina is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Trento 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.

Trento is a family-friendly place to visit. Outside of town you'll find plenty of outdoor adventures that the kids will enjoy. In town, there's history and fun kid-friendly museums.

Is Messina or Trento Better for Couples?

Both Messina and Trento are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Messina is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Trento makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town mixes old and new in a beautiful setting that makes for a great romantic getaway. Nearby there are outdoor adventures and in town there's a beautiful atmosphere and great restaurants.

Is Messina or Trento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina and Trento 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 Trento. There aren't many hostels in town, but there are some fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Messina or Trento Better for Students?

Trento is renowned for students. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Trento is a very popular city for students. It's a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of interesting places to explore in the area.

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.

Is Messina or Trento 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 Trento.

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 Trento offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has a number of bus lines through town.

Is Messina or Trento a more walkable city?

Messina and Trento 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.

Trento 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 Trento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Trento or Messina?

How long in Messina or Trento?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Messina and Trento. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Messina, and 1-3 days is enough time in Trento.

Families should spend more time in Messina than Trento. 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.

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

One day in Messina or Trento?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Messina. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Trento, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Trento?

Messina is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Trento, 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 Trento has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Trento?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Messina. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Trento is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this 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 Trento?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the bustling destination of Messina. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Trento. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Trento. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Trento, we can see that Trento 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 Trento Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Messina or Trento?

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

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 Trento in the Summer?

Both Trento 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. Also, most visitors come to Trento for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Messina is a little warmer than Trento in the summer. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Trento fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Trento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets more sunshine than Trento. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trento receives 286 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Messina or Trento in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Messina is a little warmer than Trento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Messina in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Trento averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Trento during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Trento receives 137 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 Trento. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Trento receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Trento in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Trento in the winter. In January, Messina is generally much warmer than Trento. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 13°C (55°F), and Trento fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

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

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

Should I visit Messina or Trento in the Spring?

Both Trento 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 Trento for the natural beauty.

Messina is a little warmer than Trento in the spring. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Trento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Trento during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Trento receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Trento and Messina