A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Taormina vs. Ravenna for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Taormina or Ravenna?

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 Ravenna 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a authentic, historic, and off-the-beaten-path town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Taormina and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Ravenna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Taormina. Although Taormina and Ravenna are both popular with visitors, Taormina has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Taormina is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Ravenna is known for its museums. Taormina is more touristy than Ravenna and is known for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. It is also home to The Greek Theater. Ravenna is popular for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Taormina different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ravenna is a great town 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 Ravenna. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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 Ravenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Taormina and Ravenna offer very good 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, Ravenna makes for a great culinary experience. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is Taormina or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Taormina is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Taormina has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Ravenna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is Taormina or Ravenna Better for Resorts?

Taormina is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Ravenna is not a resort destination.

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

Ravenna is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Ravenna Better for Beaches?

Taormina is a good destination for the beache. However, Ravenna is not a beach destination.

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.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Ravenna?

If you're looking to go shopping, Taormina and Ravenna both offer plenty of good 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.

Ravenna is a great destination for shopping. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Is Taormina or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna is a great town 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 Ravenna. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, 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 Ravenna Better for Couples?

Both Taormina and Ravenna are very good 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.

Ravenna is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

Is Taormina or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Ravenna is a good town to visit for backpackers. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

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 Ravenna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Taormina and Ravenna both offer good 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.

Ravenna has a few public transit options. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is Taormina or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Taormina and Ravenna are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Ravenna is very walkable. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Taormina or Ravenna to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Taormina than Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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

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

One day in Taormina or Ravenna?

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 town of Ravenna offers food and shopping. 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 Ravenna?

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.

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

Five days in Taormina or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna 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 Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna 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 town 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 Ravenna, we can see that Taormina is more expensive. And not only is Ravenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ravenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Ravenna. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ravenna for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 27°C (80°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, Taormina usually receives less rain than Ravenna. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Taormina or Ravenna in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Ravenna. Many travelers come to Taormina for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Taormina is a little warmer than Ravenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Taormina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Taormina usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Ravenna in the Winter?

Both Ravenna and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Taormina in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ravenna can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Taormina is much warmer than Ravenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Taormina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Ravenna averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In January, Taormina usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Taormina or Ravenna in the Spring?

Both Ravenna and Taormina during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm.

In April, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 16°C (60°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Taormina usually gets less rain in April than Ravenna. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Taormina