A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Taormina vs. Porto for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Taormina or Porto?

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 Porto 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 beautiful, exclusive, and opulent town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Porto

Porto is a dynamic, historic, and cultural port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Taormina and Porto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Porto?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Porto than Taormina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Porto is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Taormina is more popular for its resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Taormina is well known for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Porto is well known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira.

How is Taormina different from Porto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Porto is a great port 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 Porto. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

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 Porto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto 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 Porto have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

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 Porto Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Porto offers plenty to do in the evening. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Is Taormina or Porto Better for Resorts?

Taormina is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Porto 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.

Porto is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Porto Better for Beaches?

Taormina is very good for its beaches. However, Porto 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.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Taormina or Porto Better for its Old Town?

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

Porto is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Porto?

If you're looking to go shopping, Taormina and Porto 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.

Porto is a great destination for shopping. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Taormina or Porto Better for Families?

Porto 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 Porto. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

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 Porto Better for Couples?

Both Taormina and Porto are superb 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.

Porto is a very popular place to visit for couples. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

Is Taormina or Porto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Porto, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

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 Porto Better for Students?

Porto is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Porto. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Porto is a great port 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 Porto. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

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

Is Taormina or Porto a more walkable city?

Taormina and Porto are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Porto is very walkable. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

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

Should I spend more time in Porto or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Porto?

In either Taormina or Porto, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Porto 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 Porto.

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

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

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

One day in Taormina or Porto?

Even though Taormina is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Porto is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Porto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Taormina. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Porto 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Porto, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Taormina or Porto?

Taormina is a fun place to experience. Taormina is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Porto is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Porto, 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 Porto?

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. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Porto 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 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taormina and Porto, we can see that Porto 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto 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 Porto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina and Porto, 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 Porto?

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 Porto in the Summer?

Both Porto and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Taormina in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Taormina is a little warmer than Porto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Taormina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Porto averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Porto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Porto during summer. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Taormina usually receives less rain than Porto. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Taormina or Porto in the Autumn?

Both Porto and Taormina during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Taormina for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Porto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Porto. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 21°C (69°F), and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Porto. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Taormina. Taormina usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Porto. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Porto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Porto. The winter months attract visitors to Taormina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

Taormina is a little warmer than Porto in the winter. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Porto fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Taormina usually receives less sunshine than Porto during winter. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Taormina usually receives less rain than Porto. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Taormina or Porto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Porto. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Taormina is a little warmer than Porto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Taormina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Porto averages at about 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina this time of the year. In the spring, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Porto. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Taormina usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Porto and Taormina