A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shanghai vs. Naples for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Shanghai or Naples?

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 Shanghai and Naples. 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.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a diverse, bustling, and trendy port city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Naples

Naples is a authentic, gritty, and colorful city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Shanghai and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shanghai or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Shanghai than Naples, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Shanghai is more popular for its museums, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Naples is known for its nightlife and historical sights. Shanghai is more touristy than Naples and is known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. It is also home to The Bund. Naples is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza.

How is Shanghai different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Shanghai or Naples?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Shanghai on the map. The city's sights mix culture with modern innovation. From the futuristic skyline and the iconic waterfront area known as the Bund, to the classic Yu Garden, there are a diversity of sights around the city. There are also museums like the Shanghai Museum, which educate visitors on Chinese culture.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Naples. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Is the Food Better in Shanghai or Naples? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Shanghai and Naples both to be world-class destinations.

Eat your way through Shanghai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city's cuisine has a long history with many distinct traditional dishes. The foods incorporate a lot of soy sauce and sugar and you'll find most dishes are rice based as opposed to using wheat products. Popular local dishes include the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, steamed crab, and braised pork. The city is also famous for its snacks, which can be purchased at one of the many snack houses or street stalls.

For foodies, Naples is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Is Shanghai or Naples Better for Nightlife?

Naples is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Shanghai is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its evening party scene.

Naples has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Shanghai. A night out can quickly become very expensive. Many of the venues are spread out so you'll likely spend at least some of the time in a taxi. The Bund is one of the most popular areas for nightlife, but this area also has the most expensive bars and clubs. They often offer impressive views of Pudong and the Huangpu River though.

Is Shanghai or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Naples is notable for its old town. However, Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Naples. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Shanghai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Shanghai or Naples?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Shanghai is a world class destination for shoppers. The city has many large shopping malls with department stores, name brand fashion, and trendy shops. It is also known for its cheap electronics and tailor-made clothes.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Shanghai or Naples Better for Families?

Shanghai is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Shanghai is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Of course there's Disneyland, but kids will also enjoy soaking up the city's culture, trying fun new snacks, and exploring the many science and kid-friendly museums. There are also parks and outdoor spaces as well as skyscrapers and towers that offer incredible views of the city.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Shanghai or Naples Better for Couples?

Shanghai is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Shanghai has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its east meets west personality, couples will be able to enjoy an amazing culinary experience, beautiful gardens, and luxury hotels and spas. There are many romantic areas around this bustling city, making it the perfect place for a romantic city getaway.

Naples is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Shanghai or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Shanghai and Naples are great destinations for backpackers.

Shanghai is a great port city to visit for backpackers. The city is expensive, but there are hostels and cheap eateries that make it accessible even for the budget conscious. Business travelers and local workers give the city a more professional vibe during the day, but if you find the right place to stay you'll quickly be able to meet likeminded travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Is Shanghai or Naples Better for Students?

Shanghai is well known for students. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Shanghai is a great port city to visit as a student. The city attracts international and study abroad students who enjoy its long history and fascinating culture. It's a world financial capital with many businesses headquartered here, so employment opportunities are abundant.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Is Shanghai or Naples Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Shanghai and Naples offer great public transit options.

Shanghai has some very good public transit options. There is a metro system as well as buses and taxis which are relatively affordable.

The public transit in Naples can get you to most places easily. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Shanghai or Naples a more walkable city?

Shanghai and Naples both are great when exploring on foot.

Shanghai is a very walkable port city. It's possible to explore the major tourist areas on foot but it can be very hot and humid during the summer months.

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Shanghai Worth Visiting? and Is Naples Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Naples or Shanghai?

How long in Shanghai or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Shanghai and Naples. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Shanghai than in Naples. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Shanghai, and 1-3 days is enough time in Naples.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Shanghai than Naples 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 Shanghai.

One day in Shanghai or Naples?

Shanghai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Naples offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Shanghai or Naples?

Shanghai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Naples is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Naples, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Shanghai or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Shanghai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Naples is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Shanghai or Naples?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the modern big city of Shanghai. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Naples is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Naples, we can see that Naples is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai is in Asia and Naples is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Naples would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Naples than you might in Shanghai.

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

Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Naples?

Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Naples. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai and Naples, 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 Shanghai or Naples?

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 Shanghai or Naples in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Naples. Many visitors come to Shanghai in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Naples for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Shanghai is a little warmer than Naples. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shanghai in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Naples averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Naples this time of the year. In Shanghai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Naples during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

Shanghai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Naples. Shanghai gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shanghai or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Naples. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Naples because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Shanghai is generally around the same temperature as Naples. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 19°C (65°F), and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Naples. Shanghai gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Naples. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Shanghai or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

The weather in Shanghai can be very cold. Shanghai is much colder than Naples in the winter. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Shanghai usually receives more sunshine than Naples during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Naples. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Shanghai or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and Shanghai during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Shanghai is a little warmer than Naples. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shanghai in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Naples averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Naples. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Naples. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Naples and Shanghai