A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Messina vs. Vitoria-Gasteiz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Messina or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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 Vitoria-Gasteiz 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.

Where Should I go: Messina or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Messina

Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.

Vitoria-Gasteiz

In the midst of a vast, starry night, medieval cathedrals and ancient buildings are scattered with light across the humming city. This is none other than Vitoria-Gasteiz, a town located in the province of Araba/Alava in northern Spain. Within its border, this city contains Basque Country's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the Lehendakari's (Prime Minister's) official residence. In 2012, Vitoria-Gasteiz was awarded the title of European Green Capital and now is one of the top five places to live in Spain. This multicultural city is chock full of amazing national history as well as unique cultural traditions. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also well known for its festivals, including Azkena rock festival, FesTVal, Vitoria-Gasteiz jazz festival, and the Virgen Blanca Festivities. Whether you seek to explore its world-renowned wineries or dine in a chic restaurant, Vitoria-Gasteiz holds an endless amount of possibilities.

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 Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Messina or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Vitoria-Gasteiz. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Vitoria-Gasteiz, 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz?

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 Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Summer?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Messina during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 188 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets less rain in July than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Vitoria-Gasteiz. The autumn months attract visitors to Messina because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Messina is a little warmer than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Messina in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz averages at about 16°C (62°F).

Messina usually receives more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Vitoria-Gasteiz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Messina usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vitoria-Gasteiz. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Vitoria-Gasteiz. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Messina this time of year.

In January, Messina is generally a little warmer than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 13°C (55°F), and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Messina often gets more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets less rain in January than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Spring?

Both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Messina is a little warmer than Vitoria-Gasteiz in the spring. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Vitoria-Gasteiz fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Vitoria-Gasteiz during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vitoria-Gasteiz. In April, Messina usually receives less rain than Vitoria-Gasteiz. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Vitoria-Gasteiz receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vitoria-Gasteiz and Messina