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

Should you visit Taormina or Versailles?

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 Versailles 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Versailles

Versailles is a beautiful, grand, and ornate palace. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums.

Taormina and Versailles: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Fun shopping
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food


Is there more to do in Taormina or Versailles?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Taormina than Versailles, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Taormina is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Versailles is more popular for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Taormina and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. Taormina is well known for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Also, Taormina is famous for The Greek Theater.

How is Taormina different from Versailles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Taormina
Versailles

Versailles 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, Versailles has many famous sights for visitors. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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 Versailles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Taormina
Versailles

Taormina is a great town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Taormina. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Taormina or Versailles Better for Nightlife?

Taormina
Versailles

Taormina is a great town for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Taormina or Versailles Better for Resorts?

Taormina
Versailles

Taormina is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Versailles is not a resort destination.

Taormina is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Versailles is not a resort destination.


Is Taormina or Versailles Better for Beaches?

Taormina
Versailles

Taormina is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Versailles is not a beach destination.

Taormina has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Versailles is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Versailles?

Taormina
Versailles

Taormina is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Taormina. 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.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Taormina or Versailles Better for Families?

Taormina
Versailles

Taormina is adequate for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.


Is Taormina or Versailles Better for Couples?

Taormina
Versailles

Both Taormina and Versailles are high quality 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.

Versailles is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

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

Taormina
Versailles

Versailles is a great palace 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 Versailles. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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

Is Taormina or Versailles a more walkable city?

Taormina
Versailles

Taormina and Versailles are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Versailles is very walkable. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.


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

Should I spend more time in Versailles or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Versailles?

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

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

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


  • How many days in Taormina or Versailles? Ideal Length of Stay
    Taormina 2-4 
    Versailles 1-2

One day in Taormina or Versailles?

Taormina might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful palace of Versailles 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 Versailles?

Even though Taormina is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

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

Five days in Taormina or Versailles?

Taormina, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. 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. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Versailles 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 Versailles?

Taormina is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Versailles 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 palace 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 Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Versailles or Taormina?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Taormina is €108, while the average daily cost in Versailles is €234. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Taormina and Versailles in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Taormina 70
    Versailles 128
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Taormina 140
    Versailles 256
Compare Hotels in Taormina and Versailles

Looking for a hotel in Taormina or Versailles? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Taormina


Hotels in Versailles


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Taormina Hotel Prices and Versailles Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Taormina 4.29
    Versailles 53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taormina

Also for Taormina, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Roundtrip Transfer from Messina: $41
  • Sicily Catania Airport: Bus Transfer to and from Taormina: $7.49

Is it cheaper to fly into Taormina or Versailles?

Prices for flights to both Versailles and Taormina change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Taormina 33
    Versailles 67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Taormina 11
    Versailles 45

Tours and Activities in Taormina

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Taormina.

  • 5 Hours Private Tour of Taormina from Messina: $606
  • From Catania or Agrigento and Piazza Armerina Tour: $743
  • From Catania: Guided Tour of Mount Etna and Taormina: $57
  • From Catania: Guided Tour of Taormina and Castelmola: $106
  • Sicily: Best of Taormina and Castelmola Private Tour: $213
  • Small Group Sicily Food & Wine Lovers Tour: 8 Days: $2,668
  • Small Group Tour of Sicily Highlights: 8 Days: $2,668
  • Taormina & Castelmola: Shore tour from Messina cruise port: $428
  • Taormina Walking Tour & Ancient theather Private or shared: $588
  • Taormina private tour: $160
  • Taormina. Highlights Tour with Isolabella and Castelmola: $267
  • Tour Messina Taormina Castelmola: $150

Tours and Activities in Versailles

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Versailles.

  • Versailles Palace Private Family Tour Designed for Kids: $261
  • Palace Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket: $67
  • Private Guided Tour of the Palace: $261

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Taormina 8.57
    Versailles 18

Sample the Local Flavors in Taormina

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taormina:

  • Mt Etna Private guided walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $181
  • Catania: Mt. Etna Private Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $299


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


Which is Bigger, Taormina or Versailles?

Versailles has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina and Versailles, 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 Versailles?

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 Versailles in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Taormina is a little warmer than Versailles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Taormina in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Versailles averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Versailles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Versailles during summer. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Taormina usually receives less rain than Versailles. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Taormina 27°C (80°F) 
    Versailles 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Taormina or Versailles in the Autumn?

Both Versailles and Taormina during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Taormina because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Versailles this time of year.

In October, Taormina is generally much warmer than Versailles. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 21°C (69°F), and Versailles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Versailles. Taormina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 126 hours of full sun.

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Taormina 21°C (69°F) 
    Versailles 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Taormina or Versailles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Versailles. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Versailles for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Versailles. Taormina is much warmer than Versailles in the winter. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Versailles fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Versailles during winter. Taormina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Versailles receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Taormina usually receives more rain than Versailles. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Taormina 13°C (55°F) 
    Versailles 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Taormina or Versailles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Versailles. Many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Versailles in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Taormina is a little warmer than Versailles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Taormina in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Versailles averages at about 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina this time of the year. In the spring, Taormina often gets more sunshine than Versailles. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Versailles receives 173 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in April than Versailles. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Versailles receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Taormina 16°C (60°F) 
    Versailles 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Versailles and Taormina

Taormina Versailles
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 24°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 128 mm (5 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 17°C (62°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)


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