A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Venice vs. Philadelphia for Attractions, Old Town, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Venice or Philadelphia?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Venice and Philadelphia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Venice

Venice is a magical, historic, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a cultural, diverse, and historic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Venice and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Venice or Philadelphia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Philadelphia than Venice, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Philadelphia is more popular for its theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Venice is known for its historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Venice is more touristy than Philadelphia and is known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. Philadelphia is popular for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. It is also home to The Liberty Bell.

How is Venice different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Venice or Philadelphia?

You'll find a number of terrific museums and attractions in both Philadelphia and Venice.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Venice has many famous sights for visitors. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Philadelphia that are not to be missed. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Theater?

Philadelphia is great for its shows and theatre. However, Venice is not a theatre destination.

Philadelphia has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.

Venice is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Venice or Philadelphia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Philadelphia is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Philadelphia has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Nightlife?

Philadelphia is great for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Philadelphia for the nightlife scene. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Music?

Philadelphia is great for its music scene. However, Venice is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Philadelphia draws a good crowd. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.

Venice is not a live music destination.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for its Old Town?

Venice is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

The rich history of Venice can be explored in its historical center. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

Philadelphia offers a nice historic old town area. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.

Is the Shopping Better in Venice or Philadelphia?

Venice is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Venice draws large crowds to its stores. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Philadelphia. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Christmas?

Philadelphia is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Venice does not offer Christmas activities.

Philadelphia is a very popular destination during Christmas. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.

Venice does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Christmas Markets?

Philadelphia is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Venice does not offer Christmas markets.

Philadelphia offers some nice Christmas markets. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.

Venice does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Venice or Philadelphia.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Venice. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

Philadelphia is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Couples?

Venice is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Venice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

Philadelphia is a good city for couples to visit. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Venice is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

Philadelphia is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Students?

Venice is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Venice is a great destination for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

Students come from all over to stay in Philadelphia. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.

Is Venice or Philadelphia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Venice is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Venice has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Philadelphia. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.

Is Venice or Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Venice and Philadelphia are terrific when it comes to walkability.

Venice is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

It is easy to get around Philadelphia on foot. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

For even more information, also check out Is Venice Worth Visiting? and Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Venice?

How long in Venice or Philadelphia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Venice and Philadelphia. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Venice than in Philadelphia. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Venice, and 2-3 days is enough time in Philadelphia.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Venice than Philadelphia 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 Venice.

One day in Venice or Philadelphia?

In Venice, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this romantic city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Philadelphia is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Venice or Philadelphia?

Venice is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Philadelphia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Venice or Philadelphia?

In Venice, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Philadelphia. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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.

A week in Venice or Philadelphia?

Venice is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the historic big city of Philadelphia. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Venice and Philadelphia, we can see that Venice is more expensive. And not only is Philadelphia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Venice is in Europe and Philadelphia is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Philadelphia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Philadelphia 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice than you might in Philadelphia.

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

Which is Bigger, Venice or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Venice and Philadelphia, 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 Venice or Philadelphia?

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 Venice or Philadelphia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Venice and Philadelphia. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Venice this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Venice is generally around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Venice average around 23°C (73°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. In Venice, it's very sunny this time of the year. Venice usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during summer. Venice gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Philadelphia receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Venice usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Venice gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Venice or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Venice as well as Philadelphia. Many travelers come to Venice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Venice is around the same temperature as Philadelphia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Venice averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In the autumn, Venice often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Venice gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun.

Venice usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphia. Venice gets 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Venice or Philadelphia in the Winter?

Both Philadelphia and Venice are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Venice in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Philadelphia can be very cold during winter. Venice can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Venice is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Venice in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

Venice usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during winter. Venice gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Venice usually receives around the same amount of rain as Philadelphia. Venice gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Venice or Philadelphia in the Spring?

Both Philadelphia and Venice during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Venice for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Venice is generally a little warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Venice average around 13°C (55°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Venice often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Venice gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun.

Venice usually gets less rain in April than Philadelphia. Venice gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Venice