A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Taormina vs. Messina for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Taormina or Messina?

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 Messina 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 historic, beautiful, and exclusive town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Messina

Messina is a local, historic, and bustling port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Taormina and Messina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Messina?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Messina than Taormina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Messina is better known for its big city activities, while Taormina is more popular for its food, resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Taormina is more touristy than Messina and is popular for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Messina is well known for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. Also, Messina is famous for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Taormina different from Messina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Messina 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 Messina?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Messina and Taormina.

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.

Messina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

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

Taormina is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Messina has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

Is Taormina or Messina Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both Taormina and Messina.

The nightlife in Taormina has something for everybody. 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.

Messina offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

Is Taormina or Messina Better for Resorts?

Taormina is well known for its resorts. However, Messina is not a resort destination.

In Taormina, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Messina is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Messina Better for Beaches?

Taormina is a town with good options for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beache.

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.

You can check out the beach in Messina. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Messina?

If you're looking to go shopping, Taormina and Messina both offer plenty of notable spots.

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.

Messina is a great destination for shopping. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

Is Taormina or Messina Better for Families?

Messina is a great port city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Messina. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which 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 Messina Better for Couples?

Taormina is well known for romance. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Taormina frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Messina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Taormina or Messina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina is a port city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for backpackers.

Messina is a good port city to visit for backpackers. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

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 Messina Better for Students?

Messina is a port city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Messina. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Taormina and Messina both offer notable 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.

Messina has a few public transit options. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

Is Taormina or Messina a more walkable city?

Taormina and Messina are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Messina is very walkable. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

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

Should I spend more time in Messina or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Messina?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Taormina and Messina. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Taormina than in Messina. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Taormina, and 2-3 days is enough time in Messina.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Messina 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 Messina.

One day in Taormina or Messina?

Taormina is a small town with plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The port city of Messina offers food and shopping. 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 Messina?

Taormina might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Taormina has to offer.

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

Five days in Taormina or Messina?

Taormina is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Messina is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Taormina or Messina?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Taormina. Since Taormina is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Messina is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city 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 comparing the travel costs between Taormina 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 Taormina Expensive? and Is Messina Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Messina?

Messina has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina 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 Taormina or Messina in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Messina. The summer months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Messina this time of year.

In the summer, Taormina is around the same temperature as Messina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Taormina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Messina averages at about 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 Taormina this time of the year. In the summer, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Messina. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in July than Messina. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Messina in the Autumn?

Both Messina and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Messina for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Messina during autumn. Taormina gets 189 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. It's quite rainy in Taormina. In October, Taormina usually receives more rain than Messina. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Taormina or Messina in the Winter?

Both Messina and Taormina during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Messina in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Taormina is around the same temperature as Messina in the winter. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Messina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Messina. Taormina gets 115 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. Taormina usually gets less rain in January than Messina. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Messina in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Messina. Many visitors come to Taormina in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Taormina is around the same temperature as Messina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Taormina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Messina averages at about 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina 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 Messina during spring. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Taormina usually receives less rain than Messina. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Messina and Taormina