A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Naples vs. Phoenix for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Naples or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Naples or Phoenix, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Naples

Naples is a historic, authentic, and gritty city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Naples and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Naples or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Naples than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Naples, Naples has more sights and attractions for tourists. Naples is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its hiking. Naples is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also well known for Piazza del Plebiscito. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Naples different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Naples or Phoenix?

Naples is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Naples. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Is the Food Better in Naples or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Naples is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Naples have been singled out for their culinary prowess. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Naples or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Naples is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Naples has something for everybody. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Naples or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Naples is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Naples is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Naples or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Naples is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Naples is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Naples or Phoenix?

Naples is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Naples or Phoenix Better for Families?

Naples and Phoenix are both nice destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Naples. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Phoenix offers lots of family activities. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Naples or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Naples is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Naples is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Naples or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Naples or Phoenix Better for Students?

Naples is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

Is Naples or Phoenix Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Naples is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Naples. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Naples or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Naples is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Naples Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Naples?

How long in Naples or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Naples and Phoenix. In our opinion, Naples has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Naples than Phoenix. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Naples than Phoenix. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Naples, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Naples than Phoenix 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 Naples.

One day in Naples or Phoenix?

Because Naples is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Phoenix. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Naples or Phoenix?

Because Naples is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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. 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 Naples has to offer.

Phoenix 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.

Five days in Naples or Phoenix?

Naples 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phoenix. 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.

A week in Naples or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Naples. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Naples. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the desert destination of Phoenix. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Naples and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Naples much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Naples is in Europe and Phoenix is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Naples would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Naples 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Naples.

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

Which is Bigger, Naples or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Naples. When comparing the sizes of Naples and Phoenix, 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 Naples or Phoenix?

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 Naples or Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Naples during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Naples this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Naples is much colder than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Naples averages around 23°C (74°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Naples. In the summer, Naples often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Naples gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Naples usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Naples gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Naples or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Naples and Phoenix. Many travelers come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Naples is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Naples in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Naples usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Naples gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Naples usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Naples gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Naples or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Naples as well as Phoenix. Many visitors come to Naples in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Naples is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Naples average around 8°C (47°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Naples often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Naples gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Naples receives a lot of rain in the winter. Naples usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Naples gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Naples or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Naples are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Naples for the activities around the city during these months.

Naples is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Naples averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Naples usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Naples gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Naples usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Naples gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Naples