A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Taormina vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Taormina or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a one-of-a-kind, ancient, and famous archeological site. It's also popular because of the museums.

Taormina and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Pompeii?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pompeii. Although Taormina and Pompeii are popular destinations, Pompeii has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pompeii is very popular for its museums, while Taormina attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Pompeii is more touristy than Taormina and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is also well known for the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Taormina is famous for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Taormina different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is very popular for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Pompeii has many famous sights for visitors. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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 Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Taormina is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Taormina or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Taormina is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Taormina has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Taormina or Pompeii Better for Resorts?

Taormina is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Pompeii is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Taormina. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Pompeii is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Pompeii Better for Beaches?

Taormina is very good for the beach. However, Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Taormina to enjoy the beach. 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.

Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Pompeii?

Taormina is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in 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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Taormina or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is a great archeological site 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 Pompeii. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Taormina is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Taormina makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Taormina or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pompeii is a archeological site with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for backpackers.

Pompeii is a good archeological site to visit for backpackers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

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 Pompeii Better for Students?

Pompeii is a archeological site with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Pompeii. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Taormina and Pompeii 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.

Pompeii has a few public transit options. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Taormina or Pompeii a more walkable city?

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

Pompeii is a very easy archeological site to get around on foot. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Taormina or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Taormina than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Taormina, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

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

One day in Taormina or Pompeii?

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 archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. 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 Pompeii?

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.

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

Five days in Taormina or Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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 Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This archeological site 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 Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii 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 Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Taormina or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Pompeii. Many visitors come to Taormina in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pompeii 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 Pompeii during summer. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Taormina usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Taormina or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Pompeii. Most visitors come to Taormina for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

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

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

Should I visit Taormina or Pompeii in the Winter?

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

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

Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during winter. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In January, Taormina usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Taormina or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Taormina during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Taormina this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in Taormina. In the spring, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Taormina