A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Taormina vs. Naples for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Taormina or Naples?

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 Naples 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Naples

Naples is a historic, authentic, and gritty city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Taormina and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Naples. Although Taormina and Naples are popular destinations, Naples has more sights and attractions for tourists. Naples is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Taormina attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Taormina is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Naples is famous for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also well known for Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Taormina different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Naples is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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

Naples 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 Naples have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

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 Naples Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find high quality options in both Taormina and Naples.

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.

Naples offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Is Taormina or Naples Better for Resorts?

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

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.

Naples is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Naples Better for Beaches?

Taormina is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Naples is not a beach destination.

Taormina has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is Taormina or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Naples is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Naples is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Naples?

Naples is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Taormina is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Taormina or Naples Better for Families?

Naples is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

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 Naples Better for Couples?

Both Taormina and Naples are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Taormina is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Naples is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Taormina or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for backpackers.

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.

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 Naples Better for Students?

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

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.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Naples is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Naples. 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.

Taormina has a few public transit options. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Taormina or Naples a more walkable city?

Taormina and Naples are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Taormina and Naples. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Taormina than in Naples. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Taormina, and 1-3 days is enough time in Naples.

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

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

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

One day in Taormina or Naples?

Taormina might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Naples is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Taormina or Naples?

Taormina 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 Taormina or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Taormina. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. 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 Taormina or Naples?

Taormina is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 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 Naples, we can see that Naples 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 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 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 Naples Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina or Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Naples. 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 Naples because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Taormina is a little warmer than Naples in the summer. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Naples. 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 Naples. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in July than Naples. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Naples in the Autumn?

Both Naples and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

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

Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Naples during autumn. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. It's quite rainy in Taormina. In October, Taormina usually receives around the same amount of rain as Naples. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Taormina or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples and Taormina during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Naples for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Taormina is generally much warmer than Naples. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 13°C (55°F), and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Naples. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Taormina usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Naples in the Spring?

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

Taormina is a little warmer than Naples in the spring. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Naples fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Taormina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Naples during spring. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Taormina usually receives less rain than Naples. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Taormina