A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Messina vs. Urbino for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Messina or Urbino?

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 Urbino 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 local, historic, and bustling port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Urbino

Urbino is a laid back, historic, and undiscovered town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Messina and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Urbino?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Messina than Urbino, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Messina is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Urbino is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Messina is well known for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. Also, Messina is famous for Piazza del Duomo. Urbino is well known for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Messina different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Messina and Urbino have notable 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.

Urbino offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

Urbino 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, Urbino makes for a great culinary experience. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

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 Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Messina is great for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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 Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Messina or Urbino Better for Beaches?

Messina is adequate for the beach. However, Urbino is not a beach destination.

The beach in Messina is worth checking out. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Urbino is not a beach destination.

Is Messina or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Urbino?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Urbino 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 Urbino. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Messina or Urbino Better for Families?

Messina is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Messina. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Messina or Urbino Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Urbino frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

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 Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina is a port city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Messina or Urbino Better for Students?

Urbino is well known for students. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over to stay in Urbino. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding 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 Urbino Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Messina is a port city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Messina or Urbino a more walkable city?

Messina is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Messina is a very walkable destination. 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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Messina?

How long in Messina or Urbino?

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

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

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

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 Urbino, you'll find nightlife and 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino, 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 Urbino has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Urbino?

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.

Urbino 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 Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic 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 Urbino. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Urbino. 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 Urbino, 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 Urbino Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Messina or Urbino?

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

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 Urbino in the Summer?

Both Urbino and Messina during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

In July, Messina is generally a little warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 27°C (80°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Messina usually gets less rain in July than Urbino. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Urbino. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Messina is a little warmer than Urbino in the autumn. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Messina usually receives more rain than Urbino. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Urbino in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Urbino. Many travelers come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Urbino in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Urbino can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Messina is much warmer than Urbino. Typically, the winter temperatures in Messina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Urbino averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Urbino. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Messina in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Urbino for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Messina is generally a little warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 16°C (60°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In April, Messina usually receives more rain than Urbino. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Messina