A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Taormina vs. Palermo for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Taormina or Palermo?

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 Palermo 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 exclusive, opulent, and historic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Palermo

Palermo is a fun, colorful, and diverse city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Taormina and Palermo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Palermo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palermo. Although Taormina and Palermo are popular destinations, Palermo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palermo is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Taormina attracts visitors for its resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Taormina is more touristy than Palermo and is popular for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Palermo is famous for its mild climate, beautiful architecture, fun atmosphere, and fascinating culture. It is also well known for The Cathedral.

How is Taormina different from Palermo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Palermo 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.

Palermo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a number of grand buildings and impressive architectural buildings that you should visit. The cathedral, the Norman Palace, and Cappella Palatina are among the best.

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

Both Taormina and Palermo offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

Taormina has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Palermo makes for a great culinary experience. The islands long history and occupation by a range of different groups means that the cuisine is heavily influenced by many different cultures. You'll see influences from Phonecians, Greeks, Arabs and Normans. Local dishes include Pasta alla Norma (pasta and vegetables), Arancine (rice balls), and Cannoli.

Is Taormina or Palermo Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Palermo offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is surprisingly varied with everything from wine bars by the ocean to dance parties that flood into the street. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include the old town, Politeama, and Mondello.

Is Taormina or Palermo Better for Resorts?

Taormina is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Palermo 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.

Palermo is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Palermo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Palermo is a city 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 Palermo. The dive season lasts most of the year and there are many beautiful dive spots that are accessible from the city. The water is clear and there is a variety of flora and fauna to see.

Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Taormina or Palermo Better for Beaches?

Palermo is a great city for the beach. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

The beaches at Palermo attract visitors from all over. The city has a number of beautiful beaches, some of which are accessible by public transit. Mondello is a popular option with beautiful views. Capo Gallo is a relaxing option on a nature reserve that is good for divers and nature lovers. Addaura is a lively beach with a number of clubs.

Taormina offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Palermo?

Palermo 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 Palermo. The city offers a mix of high end shopping streets as well as colorful markets that have the feel of a traditional bazaar. Whether you're looking for European brands or local merchandise, this city has an eclectic mix with something for everyone.

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 Palermo Better for Families?

Palermo is a great 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 Palermo. The city has beaches where everyone can cool off and play in the relaxing waves. There's also a botanical garden and the fascinating Catacombs of the Capuchins. Kids will also enjoy exploring the many diverse markets throughout the city.

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 Palermo Better for Couples?

Taormina is a well-known place for couples. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Palermo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with fun adventures, unique markets, and relaxing beaches. It makes a great city escape for couples who enjoy spending time outdoors but also having access to an urban setting.

Is Taormina or Palermo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Palermo is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a decent number of affordable hostels around town as well as plenty of backpackers that keep the scene fun and social.

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 Palermo Better for Students?

Palermo 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 Palermo. It's an affordable student destination with a relaxing and laid back vibe. There's enough activity to keep it interesting without a high pressure setting.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Taormina is a town with good options for its public transit. However, Palermo is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Palermo. If you stick to the main city center then you can get around by city bus, but if you're headed anywhere else, you'll likely want to take a taxi or Uber.

Is Taormina or Palermo a more walkable city?

Taormina and Palermo are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Palermo is very walkable. The city is walkable with a number of streets closed to cars and pedestrian only.

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

Should I spend more time in Palermo or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Palermo?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Taormina than Palermo. 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 Palermo 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 Palermo.

One day in Taormina or Palermo?

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 city of Palermo offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Palermo?

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.

Palermo 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Palermo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Taormina or Palermo?

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.

Palermo 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 Palermo?

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.

Palermo is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Palermo, we can see that Taormina is more expensive. And not only is Palermo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palermo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palermo 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 Taormina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taormina than you might in Palermo.

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Palermo?

Palermo has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina and Palermo, 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 Palermo?

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 Palermo in the Summer?

Both Palermo and Taormina during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Palermo this time of year.

Taormina is around the same temperature as Palermo in the summer. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Palermo fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Taormina. In the summer, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 347 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets more rain in July than Palermo. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Palermo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Palermo. 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 Palermo for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Taormina is around the same temperature as Palermo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Taormina in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Palermo averages at about 20°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palermo this time of the year. Taormina usually receives less sunshine than Palermo during autumn. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Taormina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Taormina usually receives more rain than Palermo. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Taormina or Palermo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Palermo. Many travelers come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Palermo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Taormina is generally around the same temperature as Palermo. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 13°C (55°F), and Palermo fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Taormina often gets less sunshine than Palermo. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 133 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets more rain in January than Palermo. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Palermo in the Spring?

Both Palermo and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Taormina in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Palermo for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Taormina is around the same temperature as Palermo in the spring. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Palermo fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Palermo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo during spring. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 219 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Taormina usually receives around the same amount of rain as Palermo. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Palermo and Taormina