A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Valencia vs. Naples for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Attractions

Should you visit Valencia or Naples?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia or Naples, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Valencia

Valencia is a friendly, coastal, and cultural coastal city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Naples

Naples is a fascinating, historic, and authentic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Valencia and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valencia or Naples?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Valencia than Naples. While Naples is larger than Valencia, Valencia has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Valencia is more touristy than Naples and is known for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). It is also home to La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. Naples is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza.

How is Valencia different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Naples and Valencia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Valencia or Naples?

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Valencia and Naples.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Valencia can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is famous for its architecture and culture. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and can be easily accessed on foot. Notable landmarks include La Lonja de Seda, Catedral de València, and Plaza de la Virgen. There are also several world class museums including Oceanogràfic de València and La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Naples. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Is the Food Better in Valencia or Naples? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Valencia and Naples can be difficult as they are each amazing in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Valencia is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, which is one of Spain's most famous dishes. Beyond the paella, there are a number of other amazing traditional dishes. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. All i pebre is an eel and potato dish and clóchinas are tiny local mussels. For dessert make sure you try the flan de calabaza, which is pumpkin flavored. Many restaurants also have tapas that can be shared. Restaurants in the old town are charming and delicious, but out by the beaches the quality isn't as good.

Many restaurants in Naples have been singled out for their culinary prowess. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for Nightlife?

Valencia is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

People head to Valencia just to party. Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. If all night raves aren't really your thing, you'll also find plenty of local bars where you can hang out with friends in a more relaxed setting. The nightlife scene really is varied enough that there's something for everyone.

Many people head to Naples for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for Resorts?

Valencia is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Naples is not a resort destination.

Valencia has a few great resort options. You can choose between staying near the old town (Ciutat Vella) or out by the beach. One of the best beach areas is El Cabanyal. It's still close enough in to be well connected by public transit but offers a great coastal vibe as well.

Naples is not a resort destination.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for Beaches?

Valencia is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Naples is not a beach destination.

Valencia has a beach worth visiting. There are several urban beaches in town that are accessible by public transit. Many offer surprisingly long stretches of sand with wide beaches and plenty of activity. The beaches can get crowded during the summer months, but they are generally large enough to accommodate the crowds. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. El Saler Beach is further out and popular with the locals and Port Saplaya is a colorful area with shopping and beaches.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Valencia is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Valencia is revered around the world. For culture, history, and the majority of the city's attractions, you'll want to spend your time in Ciutat Vella (old town).

Naples is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for Hiking?

Valencia is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Naples is not a hiking destination.

Valencia has hiking trails worth exploring. Most people miss out on the beautiful hikes through the nearby countryside, but if you venture out of town you can enjoy some beautiful walking trails. Many run along the coastline or pass through rolling hills. There is varied landscape in the area with pine forests, orange groves, and vineyards all common.

Naples is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valencia or Naples?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Naples and Valencia.

Valencia is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. As the third largest city in Spain, you'll find most designer brands around town. The main shopping street is Calle Colon where you'll find the well-known European brands mixed in with the lesser-known Spanish brands. For a more local experience head to Mercado Central where you'll find local produce, colorful seafood, and a unique foodie vibe.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for Families?

Valencia is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Valencia is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has some kid-friendly museums, an impressive zoo, and the largest aquarium in Europe (with its own dolphin show). Head to the Science Museum or simply wander around the museum complex. There are water activities and a beautiful futuristic style that attracts families and influencers with its photogenic atmosphere. There are also countless playgrounds of all sizes around town and a number of parks and outdoor spaces where kids can run around. There's a city park that runs through town and has playgrounds and bike trails. You can also spend a fun-filled day at the beach.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for Couples?

Valencia and Naples are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Valencia frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with interesting culture, beautiful weather, and delightful cuisine. There are sandy beaches and luxury hotels that will make for an amazing romantic getaway. There are also many beautiful gardens and charming neighborhoods that you can explore. Couples can split a paella and sip sangrias in one of the many charming restaurants around town.

Naples is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valencia and Naples are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Valencia is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. It's often overlooked for more popular destinations, but this city has plenty to offer in the form of affordable accommodation and food as well as interesting sights.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for Students?

Valencia is a world-class destination for students. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Valencia is a great destination for students. The city is young and vibrant with a lot of culture and beautiful neighborhoods. It's also well connected to the rest of Spain with a convenient central train station.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Is Valencia or Naples Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Naples is well known for its public transit. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Naples has some very good public transit options. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

While Valencia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Public transit is available in the form of buses and a tram/metro system but the system isn't as comprehensive as it could be and much of the city is surprisingly dependent on cars.

Is Valencia or Naples a more walkable city?

Valencia and Naples both are superb when exploring on foot.

Valencia is a very walkable coastal city. Walking is the best way to explore many parts of the city and you can walk from one side of the Ciutat Vella to the other in about 20 minutes. This area is where you'll find most of the city's main attractions. There are other neighborhoods that are a bit less pedestrian-friendly.

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Valencia Worth Visiting? and Is Naples Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Naples or Valencia?

How long in Valencia or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Valencia and Naples. In our opinion, Valencia has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Valencia than Naples. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Valencia, and 1-3 days is enough time in Naples.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Valencia than Naples 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 Valencia.

One day in Valencia or Naples?

Valencia is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Naples 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 Valencia or Naples?

Valencia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Valencia or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valencia. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Naples is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food 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 Valencia or Naples?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal big city of Valencia. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Naples 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 city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Valencia and Naples, we can see that Naples is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Valencia or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Valencia. When comparing the sizes of Valencia and Naples, 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 Valencia or Naples?

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 Valencia or Naples in the Summer?

Both Naples and Valencia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Valencia because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

In the summer, Valencia is around the same temperature as Naples. Typically, the summer temperatures in Valencia in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Naples averages at about 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Naples. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. Valencia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Naples during summer. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valencia usually receives less rain than Naples. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valencia or Naples in the Autumn?

Both Naples and Valencia during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Valencia this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Valencia is generally a little warmer than Naples. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 19°C (66°F), and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Valencia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Naples. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Valencia usually gets less rain in October than Naples. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Naples in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Valencia and Naples. Many travelers come to Valencia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Valencia is a little warmer than Naples in the winter. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Naples during winter. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Naples receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Valencia usually receives less rain than Naples. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valencia or Naples in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Valencia as well as Naples. Many visitors come to Valencia in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Valencia is a little warmer than Naples. Typically, the spring temperatures in Valencia in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Naples averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Valencia this time of the year. In the spring, Valencia often gets more sunshine than Naples. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in April than Naples. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Naples and Valencia