A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pamukkale vs. Taormina for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pamukkale or Taormina?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pamukkale and Taormina can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pamukkale or Taormina?

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.

Taormina

A quaint hillside town on the eastern side of Sicily, Taormina is arguably one of the most popular tourist resorts on the island. It's peak season is the months of July and August when Italian and European tourists alike flock to the beaches. During this time it can be crowded and hot, but if you visit during the spring or fall months you might find the crowds slightly less and the weather more comfortable. The town is popular with package tours, which stay at the beach resorts around Giardini Naxos to the south or Letojanni to the north.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Taormina or Pamukkale?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pamukkale is $156, while the average daily cost in Taormina is $116. 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 Pamukkale and Taormina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pamukkale $56
    Taormina $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pamukkale $112
    Taormina $150
Compare Hotels in Pamukkale and Taormina

Looking for a hotel in Pamukkale or Taormina? 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 Pamukkale


Hotels in Taormina


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: Pamukkale Hotel Prices and Taormina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pamukkale $35
    Taormina $4.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale

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

  • Antalya; Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tour with Transfer: $280
  • City of Pamukkale/Denizli: Antalya Airport Private Transfer: $165
  • Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $136
  • Pamukkale to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport-Departure Transfer: $125
  • Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $109
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $104
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Denizli City Hotels: $104
  • Transfer from Denizli Airport to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $102
  • Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $100
  • Private Denizli Pamukkale Airport Transfer Service: $98
  • Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $90
  • Antalya: Guided Pamukkale Tour w/Lunch/Transfer: $84

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taormina

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

  • Roundtrip Transfer from Messina: $41
  • Sicily Catania Airport: Bus Transfer to and from Taormina: $7.49

Is it cheaper to fly into Pamukkale or Taormina?

Prices for flights to both Taormina and Pamukkale 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
    Pamukkale $69
    Taormina $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pamukkale $54
    Taormina $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pamukkale

For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance fees Travertines & Pool
    $2.01

Tours and Activities in Pamukkale

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

  • Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tours: $120
  • All-inclusive Private Guided Tour of Pamukkale: $256
  • Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $80
  • Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Tour With Optional Balloon Flight: $37
  • Aphrodisias&Pamukkale Tour with Lunch from Izmir&Kusadasi: $299
  • Best Rates Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tour : $278
  • Daily Guided Pamukkale Tour included Pick Up from Denizli Airport: $118
  • Daily Guided Pamukkale Tour with Pick up from Hotel in Pamukkale.: $93
  • Daily Pamukkale Guided Tour with extra Red spring enjoyment.: $93
  • Daily Pamukkale Tour from istanbul: $642
  • Daily Pamukkale Tour with Pick up from Denizli Airport : $109
  • Daily Pamukkale Tour with Pick up from Denizli Bus station: $104

Tours and Activities in Taormina

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

  • 5 Hours Private Tour of Taormina from Messina: $606
  • From Catania or Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Tour: $743
  • From Catania: Guided Tour of Mount Etna and Taormina: $57
  • From Catania: Guided Tour of Taormina and Castelmola: $106
  • Sicily: Best of Taormina and Castelmola Private Tour: $213
  • Small Group Sicily Food & Wine Lovers Tour: 8 Days: $2,668
  • Small Group Tour of Sicily Highlights: 8 Days: $2,668
  • Taormina & Castelmola: Shore tour from Messina cruise port: $428
  • Taormina Walking Tour & Ancient theather Private or shared: $588
  • Taormina private tour: $160
  • Taormina. Highlights Tour with Isolabella and Castelmola: $267
  • Tour Messina Taormina Castelmola: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pamukkale $15
    Taormina $9.18

Sample the Local Flavors in Taormina

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

  • Mt Etna Private guided walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
  • Catania: Mt. Etna Private Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $299


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

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


Which is Bigger, Pamukkale or Taormina?

Taormina has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Pamukkale. When comparing the sizes of Pamukkale and Taormina, 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 Pamukkale or Taormina?

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 Pamukkale or Taormina in the Summer?

Both Taormina and Pamukkale are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Taormina in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Pamukkale is around the same temperature as Taormina in the summer. The daily temperature in Pamukkale averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Taormina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Taormina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamukkale. Pamukkale usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina during summer. Pamukkale gets 356 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pamukkale usually receives less rain than Taormina. Pamukkale gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pamukkale 28°C (82°F) 
    Taormina 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Pamukkale or Taormina in the Autumn?

Both Taormina and Pamukkale during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Taormina for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Pamukkale is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pamukkale in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Taormina averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Pamukkale. In the autumn, Pamukkale often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Pamukkale gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun.

Taormina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pamukkale usually gets less rain in October than Taormina. Pamukkale gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pamukkale 19°C (67°F) 
    Taormina 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Pamukkale or Taormina in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamukkale and Taormina. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Taormina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Pamukkale is generally cooler than Taormina. Daily temperatures in Pamukkale average around 9°C (48°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Pamukkale usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during winter. Pamukkale gets 137 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pamukkale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Pamukkale usually receives more rain than Taormina. Pamukkale gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pamukkale 9°C (48°F) 
    Taormina 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Pamukkale or Taormina in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pamukkale as well as Taormina. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Taormina this time of year.

Pamukkale is around the same temperature as Taormina in the spring. The daily temperature in Pamukkale averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Taormina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamukkale this time of the year. In the spring, Pamukkale often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Pamukkale gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun.

Pamukkale usually gets more rain in April than Taormina. Pamukkale gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pamukkale 17°C (62°F) 
    Taormina 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Taormina and Pamukkale

Pamukkale Taormina
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in) 16°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (67°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 24°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 25°C (76°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 10°C (51°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)