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

Should you visit Messina or Trogir?

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 Trogir 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.

Trogir

Trogir is a historic, quaint, and authentic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for beaches, museums, and nightlife.

Messina and Trogir: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Trogir?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Messina. Although Messina and Trogir are both popular with visitors, Messina has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Messina is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Trogir is known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and small town charm. 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. Trogir is popular for its historic buildings and its local cuisine.

How is Messina different from Trogir?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Messina and Trogir 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.

Trogir offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town has some fascinating historic sights such as the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the Clock Tower and the city gates.

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

Trogir is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Trogir have been singled out for their culinary prowess. For such a small place there's a surprising number of amazing restaurants. You won't find touristy restaurants here. Instead, locals and tourists intermingle, enjoying the same amazing dishes. There's also a number of fine dining restaurants that are affordable and high quality.

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 Trogir Better for Nightlife?

Messina is great for nightlife. Also, Trogir is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Trogir. You'll find bars and a few discos around town that keep things fun after the sun sets.

Is Messina or Trogir Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Trogir is a town with a few options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Trogir has a few snorkeling spots. There are less snorkeling trips leaving from here than from some of the larger nearby tourist destinations.

Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Messina or Trogir Better for Beaches?

Trogir is a town with good options for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beache.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Trogir. You'll find some good beaches in the vicinity of town. A favorite is Pantan Beach, which is about 1.5 kilometers from town and accessible by bus. There are also beaches on Ciovo Island and the Drvenik Islands.

You can check out the beach in Messina. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Is Messina or Trogir Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Trogir to see the historical old town. The medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it sits on an island that is connected to the mainland by bridge.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Trogir?

Messina is very good for shopping. However, Trogir is not a good destination for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Trogir has some nice offerings. There are shops and shopping centers in the area that sell the standard brands.

Is Messina or Trogir Better for Families?

Messina is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Trogir is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Trogir is a family-friendly place to visit. There are dessert bakeries around town that the kids will love. You'll also find historic sights and a castle. In the surrounding area there's kayaking and other water activities.

Is Messina or Trogir Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Trogir frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This seaside town is filled with historic sights and great restaurants. Dessert lovers will appreciate the pastry shops and for those willing to head out of town, there are a number of water activities to enjoy.

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 Trogir Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Trogir is well known for backpackers. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Trogir. There's no shortage of affordable hostels in town. You'll find enough backpackers around town to keep things interesting and fun.

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.

Is Messina or Trogir Better for Students?

Messina is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Trogir 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.

Trogir is not popular with students.

Is Messina or Trogir 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 Trogir.

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 Trogir offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a bus station in town that provides regional access to nearby towns.

Is Messina or Trogir a more walkable city?

Messina and Trogir 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.

Trogir is a very walkable port city. If you stay in the pedestrian-only old town, its easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Trogir or Messina?

How long in Messina or Trogir?

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

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

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

One day in Messina or Trogir?

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 Trogir, you'll find museums and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This town 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 Trogir?

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 Trogir, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Trogir has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Trogir?

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.

Trogir 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 Trogir?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the local 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 Trogir. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Trogir. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.

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

Which is Bigger, Messina or Trogir?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Trogir. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Trogir, 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 Trogir?

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 Trogir in the Summer?

Both Trogir 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 Trogir for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Messina is around the same temperature as Trogir in the summer. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Trogir fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In Trogir, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Trogir. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trogir receives 345 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in July than Trogir. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Trogir receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Trogir in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Trogir. 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 Trogir because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Messina is a little warmer than Trogir. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Messina in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Trogir averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Trogir this time of the year. Messina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Trogir during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Trogir receives 200 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 Trogir. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Trogir receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Trogir in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Trogir. 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 Trogir this time of year.

In January, Messina is generally a little warmer than Trogir. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 13°C (55°F), and Trogir fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Messina often gets less sunshine than Trogir. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trogir receives 128 hours of full sun.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Trogir. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Trogir receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Trogir in the Spring?

Both Trogir 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 Trogir for the beaches and the small town charm.

Messina is around the same temperature as Trogir in the spring. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Trogir fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Trogir. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Trogir during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Trogir receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives less rain than Trogir. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Trogir receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Trogir and Messina