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

Should you visit Taormina or Siena?

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 Siena 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Siena

Siena is a medieval, history, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Taormina and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Siena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Siena than Taormina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Siena is better known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Taormina is more popular for its nightlife, 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. Siena is well known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Also, Siena is famous for Piazza del Campo.

How is Taormina different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Siena 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 Siena. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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 Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Taormina and Siena offer superb 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, Siena makes for a great culinary experience. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Taormina or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Taormina is notable for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Taormina has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Taormina or Siena Better for Resorts?

Taormina is notable for its resorts. However, Siena 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.

Siena is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Siena Better for Beaches?

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

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is Taormina or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Siena has a world-famous historical area. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Siena?

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

Siena is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Taormina or Siena Better for Families?

Neither Taormina nor Siena are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Taormina is not always the best place to visit. 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.

Siena is not the most family-friendly destination. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Taormina or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is very popular for couples. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Siena is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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.

Is Taormina or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Siena is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

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 Siena Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Taormina and Siena both offer notable 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.

Siena has a few public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Taormina or Siena a more walkable city?

Taormina and Siena are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Siena?

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

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

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

One day in Taormina or Siena?

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.

The beautiful city of Siena offers food and shopping. 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 Siena?

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.

Siena 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 Siena, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Taormina or Siena?

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.

Siena 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 Siena?

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.

Siena is a great place to explore. 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 Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena 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 Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Siena?

Siena has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Taormina during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Siena for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Taormina is a little warmer than Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Taormina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Siena, 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 Siena. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in July than Siena. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Siena. Most visitors come to Taormina for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Siena because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Siena. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 21°C (69°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Taormina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Siena during autumn. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 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 Siena. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Taormina or Siena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Siena. The winter months attract visitors to Taormina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

Taormina is much warmer than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Siena. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Siena. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. 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 Siena for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Taormina is a little warmer than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Taormina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Siena during spring. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Taormina usually receives less rain than Siena. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Taormina