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

Should you visit Puerto de la Cruz or Taormina?

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 Taormina. 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 Taormina?

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.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Taormina or Puerto de la Cruz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto de la Cruz is €112, while the average daily cost in Taormina is €108. 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 Puerto de la Cruz and Taormina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto de la Cruz 51
    Taormina 70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto de la Cruz 102
    Taormina 140
Compare Hotels in Puerto de la Cruz and Taormina

Looking for a hotel in Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz


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: Puerto de la Cruz Hotel Prices and Taormina Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto de la Cruz 40
    Taormina 4.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taormina

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto de la Cruz or Taormina?

Prices for flights to both Taormina and Puerto de la Cruz 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
    Puerto de la Cruz 34
    Taormina 33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto de la Cruz 28
    Taormina 11

Tours and Activities in Taormina

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

  • From Catania: Guided Tour of Mount Etna and Taormina: $57
  • From Catania: Guided Tour of Taormina and Castelmola: $106
  • Tour di Taormina, Savoca e Forza D' Agro': $139
  • Tour Messina Taormina Castelmola: $150
  • Taormina private tour: $160
  • Sicily: Best of Taormina and Castelmola Private Tour: $213
  • Taormina. Highlights Tour with Isolabella and Castelmola: $267
  • Taormina & Castelmola: Shore tour from Messina cruise port: $428
  • Taormina Walking Tour & Ancient theather Private or shared: $588
  • 5 Hours Private Tour of Taormina from Messina: $606
  • Tour da Messina a Taormina, Castelmola, Isola Bella: $695
  • From Catania or Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Tour: $743

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto de la Cruz 5.00
    Taormina 8.57

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 comparing the travel costs between Puerto de la Cruz and Taormina, we can see that Puerto de la Cruz 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 Taormina Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto de la Cruz or Taormina?

Puerto de la Cruz has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Puerto de la Cruz 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 Puerto de la Cruz or Taormina?

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 Puerto de la Cruz or Taormina in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Puerto de la Cruz as well as Taormina. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Puerto de la Cruz is cooler than Taormina in the summer. The daily temperature in Puerto de la Cruz averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Taormina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Puerto de la Cruz this time of the year. In the summer, Puerto de la Cruz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun.

Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in July than Taormina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Puerto de la Cruz 24°C (75°F) 
    Taormina 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Puerto de la Cruz or Taormina in the Autumn?

Both Taormina and Puerto de la Cruz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Taormina this time of year.

In the autumn, Puerto de la Cruz is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Taormina averages at about 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto de la Cruz. Puerto de la Cruz usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during autumn. Puerto de la Cruz gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Taormina. In October, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Taormina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Puerto de la Cruz 21°C (70°F) 
    Taormina 21°C (69°F)

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

Both Taormina and Puerto de la Cruz during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Puerto de la Cruz is generally a little warmer than Taormina. Daily temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz average around 18°C (64°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Puerto de la Cruz often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 115 hours of full sun.

Puerto de la Cruz usually gets less rain in January than Taormina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Puerto de la Cruz 18°C (64°F) 
    Taormina 13°C (55°F)

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto de la Cruz and Taormina. Furthermore, many visitors come to Taormina in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Puerto de la Cruz is a little warmer than Taormina in the spring. The daily temperature in Puerto de la Cruz averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Taormina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina 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 more sunshine than Taormina during spring. Puerto de la Cruz gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Puerto de la Cruz usually receives less rain than Taormina. Puerto de la Cruz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Puerto de la Cruz 20°C (68°F) 
    Taormina 16°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Taormina and Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz Taormina
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (67°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 1 mm (0 in) 24°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 18°C (64°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)


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