A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto de la Cruz vs. Messina for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz 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.

Where Should I go: Puerto de la Cruz or Messina?

Puerto de la Cruz

The coast of the island of Tenerife is a dream destination for those seeking a luxurious getaway full of beaches and parties. However, for those of you traveling with families or looking to simply avoid the hustle and bustle of the nightclub crowd, there's Puerto de la Cruz. Known as a sophisticated destination, Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top places to visit yet still retains its authentic, Canarian charm.

Messina

Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Puerto de la Cruz and Messina, we can see that Messina is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Puerto de la Cruz or Messina?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Puerto de la Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz or Messina in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto de la Cruz and Messina. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Messina because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Puerto de la Cruz is cooler than Messina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Messina averages at about 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In Puerto de la Cruz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Messina during summer. Puerto de la Cruz gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Messina. Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz or Messina in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Puerto de la Cruz 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.

In October, Puerto de la Cruz is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz average around 21°C (70°F), and Messina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz this time of the year. In the autumn, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Messina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Messina. Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in October than Messina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Messina in the Winter?

Both Messina and Puerto de la Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Messina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Puerto de la Cruz is a little warmer than Messina in the winter. The daily temperature in Puerto de la Cruz averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Messina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Messina during winter. Puerto de la Cruz gets 180 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, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Messina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Messina in the Spring?

Both Messina and Puerto de la Cruz 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 the spring, Puerto de la Cruz is a little warmer than Messina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in April average around 20°C (68°F), and Messina averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Puerto de la Cruz. In the spring, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Messina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun.

Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in April than Messina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Messina and Puerto de la Cruz