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

Should you visit Messina or Zaragoza?

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 Zaragoza 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a compact, authentic, and cultural city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Messina and Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Zaragoza?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Messina than Zaragoza. While Zaragoza is larger than Messina, Messina has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Messina is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Zaragoza is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, 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. Zaragoza is well known for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Messina different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

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 Zaragoza? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zaragoza 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, Zaragoza makes for a great culinary experience. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

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 Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

Messina is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Messina has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zaragoza. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

Is Messina or Zaragoza Better for Beaches?

Messina is a moderate port city for the beach. However, Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

Is Messina or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

Zaragoza is well known for its historic old town. However, Messina does not have a historic old town.

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Zaragoza?

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

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

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 Zaragoza Better for Families?

Messina is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Messina is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Zaragoza is a family-friendly port city. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

Is Messina or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Zaragoza frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

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 Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina and Zaragoza are notable 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 Zaragoza. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is Messina or Zaragoza Better for Students?

Messina and Zaragoza are notable 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 Zaragoza. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

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

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. There are buses and trams around the city.

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 Zaragoza a more walkable city?

Messina and Zaragoza both are high quality 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.

Zaragoza is a very walkable port city. The city center is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Messina?

How long in Messina or Zaragoza?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Messina and Zaragoza. In our opinion, Zaragoza has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Zaragoza than Messina. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Messina, and 1-3 days is enough time in Zaragoza.

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

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

One day in Messina or Zaragoza?

The port city of Messina offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Zaragoza, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Zaragoza?

Messina is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Messina, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Zaragoza, 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 Zaragoza has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Zaragoza?

Messina is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza?

Messina is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zaragoza. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Zaragoza. 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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Messina and Zaragoza, we can see that Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Messina or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Messina. When comparing the sizes of Messina and Zaragoza, 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 Zaragoza?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Messina or Zaragoza in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Zaragoza. Most visitors come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Messina is generally around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 27°C (80°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zaragoza this time of the year. In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Messina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza during summer. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Messina usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Messina or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Messina as well as Zaragoza. The autumn months attract visitors to Messina because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.

Messina is a little warmer than Zaragoza in the autumn. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Messina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 196 hours of full sun.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Messina usually gets more rain in October than Zaragoza. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Zaragoza in the Winter?

Both Zaragoza and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zaragoza for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Messina is much warmer than Zaragoza. Typically, the winter temperatures in Messina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Messina usually receives less sunshine than Zaragoza during winter. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Messina. In January, Messina usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Messina or Zaragoza in the Spring?

Both Zaragoza and Messina during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zaragoza in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Messina is generally around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 16°C (60°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Zaragoza, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the spring, Messina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets more rain in April than Zaragoza. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Messina