A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Milan vs. Reykjavik for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Milan or Reykjavik?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Milan and Reykjavik 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.

Milan

Milan is a cultural, trendy, and chic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Milan and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Milan or Reykjavik?

You'll generally find more things to do in Milan than Reykjavik. Milan is bigger than Reykjavik, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Milan is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking. Reykjavik is more touristy than Milan and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Milan is well known for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. Also, Milan is famous for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Milan different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reykjavik and Milan. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Milan or Reykjavik?

Milan is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Milan can be an interesting and educational experience. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Milan or Reykjavik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Milan is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Milan or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Milan has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Milan or Reykjavik Better for Music?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Milan is known as a music capital around the world. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Milan or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Milan offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Milan or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Milan is not a hiking destination.

Around Reykjavik visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Milan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Milan or Reykjavik?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Milan. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Milan or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Reykjavik. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Milan or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Both Milan and Reykjavik are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Milan is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Milan or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Milan is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Milan is very popular with the backpacker crowd. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Milan or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Milan is a great destination for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Is Milan or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Milan is top-notch. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Milan or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Milan. In particular, the city center is walkable.

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Milan Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Milan?

How long in Milan or Reykjavik?

In either Milan or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Milan has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Milan than Reykjavik. However, 1-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Milan than Reykjavik 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 Milan.

One day in Milan or Reykjavik?

People visit Milan because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Milan has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this clean destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Milan or Reykjavik?

People visit Milan because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Milan or Reykjavik?

People visit Milan because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Milan or Reykjavik?

Milan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the clean destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Milan and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Milan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Milan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Milan 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Milan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Milan Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Milan or Reykjavik?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Milan and Reykjavik, 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 Milan or Reykjavik?

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 Milan or Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Milan and Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Milan for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Milan is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Milan in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Milan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Milan usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Milan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Milan usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Milan gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Milan or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

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

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. In October, Milan is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Milan average around 15°C (58°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Milan often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Milan gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Milan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Milan usually gets more rain in October than Reykjavik. Milan gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Milan or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Milan 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 Milan this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. It's quite cold in Milan in the winter. Milan is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Milan averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Milan usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Milan gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Milan usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Milan gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Milan or Reykjavik in the Spring?

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

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Milan is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Milan in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Milan often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Milan gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Milan usually gets more rain in April than Reykjavik. Milan gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Milan