A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Piazza Armerina vs. Messina for Attractions, Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Piazza Armerina or Messina?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Piazza Armerina and Messina. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina is a authentic, historic, and charming town. It's also known for food and museums.

Messina

Messina is a bustling, local, and historic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Piazza Armerina and Messina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Piazza Armerina or Messina?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Messina. Although Piazza Armerina and Messina are popular destinations, Messina has more sights and attractions for tourists. Messina is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Piazza Armerina attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Piazza Armerina is famous for it's local atmosphere and its premiere historic sight - the Villa Romana del Casale. Messina is famous for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. It is also well known for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Piazza Armerina different from Messina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Piazza Armerina or Messina?

Piazza Armerina is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Piazza Armerina. Most people head to town specifically to visit Villa Romana del Casale, which is a few kilometers away. It's a beautiful Roman villa that can be explored in a few hours. Also in town is an Aragonese Castle and an 18th century Duomo.

Messina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

Is the Food Better in Piazza Armerina or Messina? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Piazza Armerina and Messina can be an enjoyable experience.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Piazza Armerina. Most visitors pass through town, stopping to visit Villa Romana del Casale. There are some pizzerias and other casual restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat.

Messina is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

Is Piazza Armerina or Messina Better for Nightlife?

Messina is notable for nightlife and partying. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its evening party scene.

Messina has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

Piazza Armerina doesn't offer many options. While many tourists pass through town with the intent of visiting the Villa Romana del Casale, most don't linger long enough appreciate the town at night.

Is Piazza Armerina or Messina Better for Beaches?

Messina is a moderate port city for the beache. However, Piazza Armerina is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Messina. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Piazza Armerina is not a beach destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Messina Better for its Old Town?

Piazza Armerina is well known for its historic old town. However, Messina does not have a historic old town.

Piazza Armerina is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town has a bit of authenticity that is missing from some of the more popular Sicilian cities. While it may feel a little worn to some people, those who like to get away from the souvenir shops will appreciate a visit.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Piazza Armerina or Messina?

Messina is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Messina offers some nice shopping areas. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

Piazza Armerina is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Piazza Armerina or Messina Better for Families?

Messina is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Messina is a very kid-friendly port city. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which is very kid-friendly.

Piazza Armerina is not always a place people visit with their families. Most people head to the town to explore the Villa Romana del Casale. The beauty and history may not thrill all kids, but if your kids enjoy a bit of history they will likely appreciate a visit. The town also has an Aragonese Castle that you can visit.

Is Piazza Armerina or Messina Better for Couples?

Piazza Armerina and Messina both nice destinations for a couple.

Piazza Armerina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For history enthusiasts, this is a popular place to visit. Like most visitors, couples will appreciate a visit to the town's main attraction Villa Romana del Casale.

Messina is a good town for couples to visit. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Piazza Armerina or Messina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina is a good destination for backpackers. However, Piazza Armerina is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Messina. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

Piazza Armerina is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's a popular tourist destination, there are a limited number of hostels in town.

Is Piazza Armerina or Messina Better for Students?

Messina is a good destination for students. However, Piazza Armerina is not popular with students.

Messina is a good port city to visit for students. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

Piazza Armerina is not popular with students.

Is Piazza Armerina or Messina Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Piazza Armerina and Messina offer nice public transit options.

Piazza Armerina has a few public transit options. You can reach the town by bus and once there it's possible to explore on foot.

Messina has some public transit options. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

Is Piazza Armerina or Messina a more walkable city?

Piazza Armerina and Messina both are very good when exploring on foot.

Piazza Armerina is a very walkable town. You can explore most of the old and new towns on foot.

Messina is a very walkable destination. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

For even more information, also check out Is Piazza Armerina Worth Visiting? and Is Messina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Messina or Piazza Armerina?

How long in Piazza Armerina or Messina?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Piazza Armerina and Messina. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Messina than in Piazza Armerina. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Piazza Armerina, and 2-3 days is enough time in Messina.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Messina than Piazza Armerina 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 Messina.

One day in Piazza Armerina or Messina?

In Piazza Armerina, you'll find food and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The historic destination of Messina offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Piazza Armerina or Messina?

In Piazza Armerina, you'll find museums and food. 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 Piazza Armerina has to offer.

The port city of Messina offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Piazza Armerina or Messina?

Piazza Armerina 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.

Messina is a great place to explore. This port city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Piazza Armerina or Messina?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Piazza Armerina. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Piazza Armerina. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Messina. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy, and The Best Adventure Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Piazza Armerina or Messina?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Piazza Armerina. When comparing the sizes of Piazza Armerina and Messina, 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 Piazza Armerina or Messina?

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 Piazza Armerina or Messina in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Piazza Armerina and Messina. Most visitors come to Piazza Armerina for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Piazza Armerina is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Piazza Armerina average around 26°C (79°F), and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In Piazza Armerina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Piazza Armerina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Messina during summer. Piazza Armerina gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Messina. Piazza Armerina gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Messina in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Piazza Armerina as well as Messina. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Messina this time of year.

Piazza Armerina is around the same temperature as Messina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Piazza Armerina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Messina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In the autumn, Piazza Armerina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Messina. Piazza Armerina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Messina. Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in October than Messina. Piazza Armerina gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Messina in the Winter?

Both Messina and Piazza Armerina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Piazza Armerina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Piazza Armerina is cooler than Messina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Piazza Armerina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Messina averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Piazza Armerina usually receives more sunshine than Messina during winter. Piazza Armerina gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. In January, Piazza Armerina usually receives less rain than Messina. Piazza Armerina gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Piazza Armerina or Messina in the Spring?

Both Messina and Piazza Armerina during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Messina in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Piazza Armerina. In the spring, Piazza Armerina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Messina. Piazza Armerina gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun.

Piazza Armerina usually gets less rain in April than Messina. Piazza Armerina gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Messina and Piazza Armerina