Which place is cheaper, Messina or Setubal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Setubal or Messina?
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 Setubal and Messina can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Setubal or Messina?
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySetubal €123Messina €118
The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, while the average daily cost in Messina is €118. 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 Setubal and Messina in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSetubal €59Messina €65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSetubal €118Messina €130
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Messina
Looking for a hotel in Setubal or Messina? 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.
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: Setubal Hotel Prices and Messina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Setubal €54Messina €22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $22
- Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $148
- Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $82
- Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $197
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Messina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Messina:
- From Private Air-Conditioned Transfer to Taormina: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Messina?
Prices for flights to both Messina and Setubal 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
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Food Meals for one daySetubal €35Messina €37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Messina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Messina.
- Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal: $112
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina: $115
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
- Messina Private Home Cooking Class: $155
- Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina: $158
- Market Tour, Private Home Cooking Class and Dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Setubal €12Messina €21
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Evora Highlights Walking Tour Audio and GPS Guided: $7.59
- Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo: E-ticket with Audio: $17
- Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $38
- Kayak tour from Sesimbra to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, passing through the caves: $38
- Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $38
- Setúbal: Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour: $40
- Arrábida: Rock Climbing Experience: $43
- Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $44
- Small Group Kayak Tour along Sesimbra - Arrábida Natural Park: $44
- Tour to the caves of Sesimbra: $44
- 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $49
Tours and Activities in Messina
Here are a few actual costs in Messina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion: $120
- Messina Taormina: cultural heritage experience: $85
- 2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour: $46
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour of Messina: $271
- 3-Hour Messina Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
- Alfotour 2/3 hour tour with swimming stop: $32
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Messina: $152
- Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape : $126
- Etna Taormina and Castelmola The best excursion for cruise passengers from Messina: $208
- Etna and Taormina Private Tour from Giardini Naxos: $240
- From Private Guided Day Tour of Savoca and Taormina: $642
- From Private Tour of Etna & Taormina with Pickup: $684
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySetubal €10Messina €18
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $56
- Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $71
- Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $76
- Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $106
- Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $137
- Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $152
- Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $170
When comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Messina, we can see that Setubal 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 Setubal Expensive? and Is Messina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Setubal or Messina?
Messina has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal 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 Setubal or Messina?
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 Setubal or Messina in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Messina. Additionally, many visitors come to Messina in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Setubal is cooler than Messina in the summer. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In the summer, Setubal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Messina. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun.
Setubal usually gets less rain in July than Messina. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySetubal 23°C (73°F)Messina 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Messina in the Autumn?
Both Messina and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Messina for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Setubal is around the same temperature as Messina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Setubal in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Messina averages at about 21°C (69°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Messina during autumn. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. In October, Setubal usually receives less rain than Messina. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSetubal 19°C (66°F)Messina 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Messina in the Winter?
Both Messina and Setubal during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Messina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 12°C (53°F), and Messina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Setubal often gets more sunshine than Messina. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun.
Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Messina. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySetubal 12°C (53°F)Messina 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Messina in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Messina. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Messina this time of year.
Setubal is around the same temperature as Messina in the spring. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Messina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Messina during spring. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Setubal usually receives around the same amount of rain as Messina. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSetubal 16°C (60°F)Messina 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Messina and Setubal
| Setubal | Messina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 14 mm (0.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.