A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palermo vs. Edinburgh for Attractions, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Palermo or Edinburgh?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Palermo and Edinburgh 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.

Palermo

Palermo is a diverse, dynamic, and fun city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a ancient, charming, and character-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Palermo and Edinburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palermo or Edinburgh?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Palermo. While Palermo is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Palermo is known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Edinburgh is more touristy than Palermo and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Palermo is popular for its mild climate, beautiful architecture, fun atmosphere, and fascinating culture.

How is Palermo different from Edinburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Palermo or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Edinburgh on the map. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Palermo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of grand buildings and impressive architectural buildings that you should visit. The cathedral, the Norman Palace, and Cappella Palatina are among the best.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for its shows and theatre. However, Palermo is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Palermo is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Palermo or Edinburgh? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Palermo is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Palermo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The islands long history and occupation by a range of different groups means that the cuisine is heavily influenced by many different cultures. You'll see influences from Phonecians, Greeks, Arabs and Normans. Local dishes include Pasta alla Norma (pasta and vegetables), Arancine (rice balls), and Cannoli.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Nightlife?

Both Palermo and Edinburgh are great when it comes to partying.

Palermo offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is surprisingly varied with everything from wine bars by the ocean to dance parties that flood into the street. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include the old town, Politeama, and Mondello.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Music?

Edinburgh is very popular for its music scene. However, Palermo is not a live music destination.

In Edinburgh you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Palermo is not a live music destination.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Palermo is a city with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Edinburgh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Palermo. The dive season lasts most of the year and there are many beautiful dive spots that are accessible from the city. The water is clear and there is a variety of flora and fauna to see.

Edinburgh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Beaches?

Palermo is a very popular place for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Palermo attract visitors from all over. The city has a number of beautiful beaches, some of which are accessible by public transit. Mondello is a popular option with beautiful views. Capo Gallo is a relaxing option on a nature reserve that is good for divers and nature lovers. Addaura is a lively beach with a number of clubs.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Palermo does not have a historic old town.

Edinburgh has a world-famous historical area. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Palermo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Palermo or Edinburgh?

Both Palermo and Edinburgh are great shopping destinations.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Palermo. The city offers a mix of high end shopping streets as well as colorful markets that have the feel of a traditional bazaar. Whether you're looking for European brands or local merchandise, this city has an eclectic mix with something for everyone.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Families?

Both Palermo and Edinburgh are great to visit with kids.

Palermo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has beaches where everyone can cool off and play in the relaxing waves. There's also a botanical garden and the fascinating Catacombs of the Capuchins. Kids will also enjoy exploring the many diverse markets throughout the city.

Edinburgh is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for couples. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Palermo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with fun adventures, unique markets, and relaxing beaches. It makes a great city escape for couples who enjoy spending time outdoors but also having access to an urban setting.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is very popular for backpackers. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Plenty of backpackers visit Palermo. There are a decent number of affordable hostels around town as well as plenty of backpackers that keep the scene fun and social.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for students. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over to stay in Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Plenty of students visit Palermo. It's an affordable student destination with a relaxing and laid back vibe. There's enough activity to keep it interesting without a high pressure setting.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Edinburgh is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Palermo is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Edinburgh has a few public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Public transit is mostly limited in Palermo. If you stick to the main city center then you can get around by city bus, but if you're headed anywhere else, you'll likely want to take a taxi or Uber.

Is Palermo or Edinburgh a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Palermo is very walkable. The city is walkable with a number of streets closed to cars and pedestrian only.

For even more information, also check out Is Palermo Worth Visiting? and Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Edinburgh or Palermo?

How long in Palermo or Edinburgh?

In either Palermo or Edinburgh, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than Palermo because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Palermo, and 2-5 days is enough time in Edinburgh.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Palermo 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Palermo or Edinburgh?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Palermo. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Palermo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Edinburgh, you'll find museums and theater. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Palermo or Edinburgh?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the fun destination of Palermo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.

In Edinburgh, you'll find theater and nightlife. 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 Edinburgh has to offer.

Five days in Palermo or Edinburgh?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the diverse city of Palermo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Palermo or Edinburgh?

Palermo is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Edinburgh. 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Palermo or Edinburgh?

Palermo has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Palermo and Edinburgh, 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 Palermo or Edinburgh?

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 Palermo or Edinburgh in the Summer?

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

In July, Palermo is generally much warmer than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 25°C (76°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Palermo. In the summer, Palermo often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Palermo gets 347 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets less rain in July than Edinburgh. Palermo gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palermo or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

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

Palermo is much warmer than Edinburgh in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during autumn. Palermo gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palermo usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Palermo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Palermo or Edinburgh in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Palermo as well as Edinburgh. Many travelers come to Palermo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Palermo is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palermo in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Palermo often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Palermo gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets less rain in January than Edinburgh. Palermo gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palermo or Edinburgh in the Spring?

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

In April, Palermo is generally much warmer than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 15°C (58°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palermo. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during spring. Palermo gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palermo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Edinburgh. Palermo gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Palermo