A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Taormina vs. Cinque Terre for Food, Couples, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Taormina or Cinque Terre?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Taormina and Cinque Terre can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Taormina

Taormina is a opulent, historic, and beautiful town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a charming, picturesque, and idyllic coastal region. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Taormina and Cinque Terre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Cinque Terre?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cinque Terre. Although Taormina and Cinque Terre are popular destinations, Cinque Terre has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cinque Terre is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Taormina attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, resorts, and shopping. Cinque Terre is more touristy than Taormina and is known for its charming villages, beautiful vineyards, picturesque waterfront setting, and stunning walking trail. It is also well known for Vernazza Harbor. Taormina is famous for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

Vernazza Harbor

How is Taormina different from Cinque Terre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Taormina or Cinque Terre?

Taormina is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Cinque Terre does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Taormina. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

Cinque Terre does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Taormina or Cinque Terre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cinque Terre is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Cinque Terre have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Like much of Italy, the area focuses on local flavors that include lots of seafood, as well as local fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The towns are known for their focaccia, which actually originated in nearby Genoa. Anchovies are a favorite here as well, and don't be turned off by your experience with anchovies outside of Italy. They don't compare. Also make sure you sample the pesto, mussels, and any fresh caught seafood.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Taormina makes for a great culinary experience. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for Nightlife?

Taormina is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Taormina has a large number of nightlife venues. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Cinque Terre. The whole point of a trip to the area is to soak up the quiet village atmosphere. There is basically no nightlife in most of the towns, but you will find a few bars in Monterosso.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for Resorts?

Taormina is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for its resorts.

Taormina is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

While Cinque Terre is not known as a resort destination, there are some nice places to stay. Most people stay in apartments or rooms in local hotels or family homes. There aren't many resorts in the traditional sense, but again, that's part of the charm of the area.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cinque Terre is a coastal region with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Cinque Terre. The surrounding waters are part of the of the Pelagos Sanctuary. The area has many rocky coves which are fun to explore with a mask and snorkel. There are also boat excursions available that may let you stop to snorkel, as well as a few dive spots in the area.

Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for Beaches?

Both Taormina and Cinque Terre are considered to be nice beach destinations.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Taormina. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Cinque Terre offers a nice beach destination. The area is more about the towns than the beaches. The most typical beach setting is in the newer part of Monterosso. There's a long sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas available. There's also a beach near the town's old town. Several of the other towns have swimming areas, including a small stretch of pebbly sand in Vernazza. It's fun to swim between the months of May and October, when the water temperatures are fairly warm.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for its Old Town?

Cinque Terre is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Cinque Terre has a world-famous historical area. Each of the five towns have their own charming old town which have restaurants and local boutique shops.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for Hiking?

Cinque Terre is very popular for hiking. However, Taormina is not a hiking destination.

Around Cinque Terre visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The five towns are part of Cinque Terre National Park and there are 120 kilometers of hiking trails in the park. Most people hike along the trails that follow the coastline and connect the towns. There are fees for the most popular stretch of trails which connect Monterosso to Vernazza and then go from Vernazza to Corniglia. All other hiking is free in the area.

Taormina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Cinque Terre?

Taormina is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for shopping.

Taormina has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Cinque Terre is a good destination for shopping. The towns are more about the atmosphere than the shops, but the best shopping can be found in the largest town of Monterosso. You'll find jewelry, clothing, and local food items that are fun to take home as souvenirs.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for Families?

Cinque Terre is a coastal region with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Cinque Terre offers lots of family activities. The five towns are all about exploring on foot, so if that's your kid's thing, then they're in for a treat. The hilly terrain can be a bit tricky, particularly for the little ones, but for older kids this area offers the perfect amount of challenge. There are also a couple of beaches and swimming spots as well as a playground or two around. Food, like most of Italy, is very kid-friendly.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for Couples?

Cinque Terre is very popular for couples. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Cinque Terre is a great coastal region for couples, as it has plenty to offer. These stunning five Italian villages are perched precariously on the water's edge. They're surrounded by beautiful vineyards and connected by impressive hiking trails. This area is truly a dream honeymoon destination and it is sure to make a memorable vacation for any couple who enjoys exploring charming village.

Taormina is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cinque Terre is a coastal region with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for backpackers.

Cinque Terre is a good coastal region to visit for backpackers. There are a number of rooms available in the towns and there are even a couple of hostels including one in Riomaggiore and one in Corniglia. It's possible to find affordable food and accommodation, and your entertainment is simply wandering the area, which is perfect for budget travelers.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Taormina and Cinque Terre both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Taormina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Cinque Terre has a few public transit options. Most people arrive by train but there are also ferries available.

Is Taormina or Cinque Terre a more walkable city?

Cinque Terre is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Cinque Terre is a very easy coastal region to get around on foot. Vehicle traffic in the towns are heavily restricted so it's very enjoyable to explore on foot. The terrain is hilly and uneven, but that's part of the charm. There are also hiking trails that connect each of the five towns.

Taormina is very walkable. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

For even more information, also check out Is Taormina Worth Visiting? and Is Cinque Terre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cinque Terre or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Cinque Terre?

In either Taormina or Cinque Terre, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cinque Terre than Taormina because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Taormina, and 2-5 days is enough time in Cinque Terre.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cinque Terre than Taormina 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 Cinque Terre.

One day in Taormina or Cinque Terre?

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful coastal region of Cinque Terre offers scuba diving and snorkeling and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Taormina or Cinque Terre?

Taormina is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Cinque Terre is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal region 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 Cinque Terre, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Taormina or Cinque Terre?

Taormina is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Cinque Terre is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cinque Terre, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Taormina or Cinque Terre?

Taormina is a popular place to visit. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Cinque Terre is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal region offers something for everyone.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Cinque Terre?

Taormina has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Cinque Terre. When comparing the sizes of Taormina and Cinque Terre, 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 Taormina or Cinque Terre?

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 Taormina or Cinque Terre in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Cinque Terre. Most visitors come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cinque Terre because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Taormina is a little warmer than Cinque Terre in the summer. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cinque Terre this time of the year. In Taormina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cinque Terre during summer. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Taormina usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Taormina or Cinque Terre in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Cinque Terre. The autumn months attract visitors to Taormina because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cinque Terre this time of year.

In the autumn, Taormina is a little warmer than Cinque Terre. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Taormina in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Cinque Terre averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cinque Terre. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cinque Terre. Taormina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Taormina usually gets less rain in October than Cinque Terre. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Cinque Terre in the Winter?

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

In January, Taormina is generally much warmer than Cinque Terre. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 13°C (55°F), and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Cinque Terre during winter. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cinque Terre. In January, Taormina usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Taormina or Cinque Terre in the Spring?

Both Cinque Terre and Taormina during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cinque Terre in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Taormina is a little warmer than Cinque Terre in the spring. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Taormina. In the spring, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Cinque Terre. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 192 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in April than Cinque Terre. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cinque Terre and Taormina