A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palermo vs. Rabat for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Palermo or Rabat?

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 Rabat 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: Palermo or Rabat?

Palermo

Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.

Rabat

While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.

Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Palermo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Palermo is €92, while the average daily cost in Rabat is €41. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Palermo and Rabat in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Palermo 56
    Rabat 25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Palermo 112
    Rabat 50
Compare Hotels in Palermo and Rabat

Looking for a hotel in Palermo or Rabat? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Palermo


Hotels in Rabat


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Palermo Hotel Prices and Rabat Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Palermo 5.64
    Rabat 1.97
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:


  • Bus to Monreale
    3.00
  • Bus From Airport
    6.00
  • 90 Minute Bus Pass
    1.30
  • Short Taxi Ride
    4.35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:

  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Verdura Resort Sciacca or vice versa: $233
  • Transfer from Palermo Airport to Verdura Resort: $214
  • Private Golf Club Class w/ Transfer, Ticket, & Food: $176
  • Palermo Airport (PMO) Departure Transfer (Palermo Hotels or address to Airport): $156
  • Private Transfer Palermo Airport to/from Adler SPA Resort Sicily: $149
  • Private Transfer Trapani or San Vito lo Capo to Palermo Airport by Car or Van: $146
  • Palermo Private Transfer from or to Palermo Airport in Sicily : $137
  • Transfer from Palermo Airport to Palermo: $131
  • Private Transfer from Palermo (PMO) Airport to Santa Flavia: $124
  • Private Transfer Palermo Airport to/from San Vito Lo Capo, Macari: $109
  • Private transfer from Palermo airport to Marsala port or vice versa: $109
  • Transfers From / to Palermo Airport: $108

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:


  • Taxi to Sale
    3.27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat

Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Rabat to Rabat Salé Airport: $22
  • Transfer Rabat to Salé: $22
  • Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat Medina : $25
  • Private Transfer from or to Salé and Rabat: $26
  • 1-Way Private Transfer to or from Rabat Airport: $31
  • Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat City: $41
  • Private Transfer from Rabat City to Rabat (RBA) Airport: $44
  • Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport Private Transfer: $55
  • Private transfer: from Casablanca to Rabat: $59
  • Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport : Private Transfer: $59
  • Rabat to Casablanca Private Transfer: $64
  • Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Temara: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Palermo or Rabat?

Prices for flights to both Rabat and Palermo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Palermo 29
    Rabat 12
Typical Food Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:


  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    32
  • Fast Food Lunch
    5.32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.

  • Street Food Tour: $42
  • Street Food Tour: $65
  • Explore Palermo's with a Food Tour & Pizza Making Class: $68
  • Small Group Night Street Food Tour: $68
  • Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine: $74
  • Palermo Traditional Food Tour: $74
  • Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $75
  • Night Street Food Tour of Palermo : $75
  • Secret Food Tours Palermo: $85
  • Street Food Tour in Ballarò and Vucciria Markets: $86
  • Walking Street Food Tour with the Chef: $91
  • Sicilian Cooking Class: $101

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat

For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
  • Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
  • Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
  • Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
  • Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
  • Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
  • Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
  • Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Palermo 17
    Rabat 2.66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:


  • Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)
    6.00
  • Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)
    12
  • Theater Tickets (for Two)
    49

Tours and Activities in Palermo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:

  • 4 Hours Private Architectural Tour in Palermo: $165
  • Agrigento - Private Tour to the Valley of the Temples from Palermo: $295
  • Agrigento Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale Tour from Palermo: $133
  • Ballaro 'street food market tour & Santa Rosalia Sanctuary: $208
  • Cappella Palatina and Palazzo dei Normanni Tour: $91
  • Captivating Agrigento Sunset Tour of Valle dei Templi: $43
  • Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral Private Tour: $192
  • Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Palermo: $152
  • Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $38
  • Eating Street Food & Market Tour: $117
  • English or Spanish tour to immersive museum + lunch: $37
  • Entrance ticket to the Radici Piccolo Museo Della Natura: $11

Tours and Activities in Rabat

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.

  • Guided Bike Tour: $1.55
  • SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
  • Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $43
  • Private Surf Experience in Rabat: $44
  • Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
  • Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
  • Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
  • Private Guided City Walking Tour: $62
  • 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
  • Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $65
  • Private Guided Tour in Rabat City: $76
  • Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Palermo 11
    Rabat -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:


  • Beer
    2.56
  • Bottle of Quality Wine
    11

Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:

  • Pub Crawl Palermo: $16
  • Wine Tasting with Snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $41
  • Natural Local Wine Tasting & Sicilian Tapas: $49
  • Natural Wine Tasting with snacks at Bottega Monteleone: $53
  • Eating Palermo Food & Wine Tour: $82
  • 2-Hour Sicilian Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour: $128
  • From Erice and Marsala Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $181
  • Wine Tasting for Small Groups in the Palermo Countryside: $196


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

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


Which is Bigger, Palermo or Rabat?

Rabat has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Palermo. When comparing the sizes of Palermo and Rabat, 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 Rabat?

Palermo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Palermo or Rabat in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palermo as well as Rabat. The summer months attract visitors to Palermo because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.

In July, Palermo is generally around the same temperature as Rabat. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 25°C (76°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palermo this time of the year. In the summer, Palermo often gets more sunshine than Rabat. Palermo gets 347 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets more rain in July than Rabat. Palermo gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Palermo 25°C (76°F) 
    Rabat 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Rabat in the Autumn?

Both Rabat and Palermo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Palermo is around the same temperature as Rabat in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 20°C (67°F) in October, and Rabat fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Rabat. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palermo. Palermo usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during autumn. Palermo gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palermo usually receives more rain than Rabat. Palermo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Palermo 20°C (67°F) 
    Rabat 20°C (67°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Rabat in the Winter?

Both Rabat and Palermo during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Palermo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.

In the winter, Palermo is cooler than Rabat. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palermo in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Rabat averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the winter, Palermo often gets less sunshine than Rabat. Palermo gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets less rain in January than Rabat. Palermo gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Palermo 12°C (53°F) 
    Rabat 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Palermo or Rabat in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palermo and Rabat. Many visitors come to Palermo in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palermo usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during spring. Palermo gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palermo usually receives less rain than Rabat. Palermo gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Palermo 15°C (58°F) 
    Rabat 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Rabat and Palermo

Palermo Rabat
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (69°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Jul 25°C (76°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 42 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 20°C (67°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 65 mm (2.5 in) 16°C (62°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 102 mm (4 in)