A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Volos vs. Messina for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Volos or Messina?

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 Volos and Messina can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a authentic, vibrant, and youthful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Messina

Messina is a bustling, local, and historic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Volos and Messina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volos or Messina?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Volos than Messina. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Volos is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Messina attracts visitors for its museums. Volos is famous for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty. It is also well known for The Archaeological Museum of Volos. Messina is famous for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry.

How is Volos different from Messina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Volos or Messina?

Messina is very good for its museums and history. However, Volos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Messina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

Volos offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

Is the Food Better in Volos or Messina? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Volos is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Volos makes for a great culinary experience. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

Messina has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

Is Volos or Messina Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Volos and Messina.

Volos has a large number of nightlife venues. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

Messina is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

Is Volos or Messina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Volos is a city with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Volos. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Messina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Volos or Messina Better for Beaches?

Volos is well known for its beaches. However, Messina is not particularly known for the beache.

The beaches at Volos attract visitors from all over. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

You can check out the beach in Messina. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Messina?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Volos and Messina.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Volos. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Many visitors go to Messina to go shopping. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

Is Volos or Messina Better for Families?

Messina is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Messina is very family-friendly. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which is very kid-friendly.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Volos. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

Is Volos or Messina Better for Couples?

Both Volos and Messina are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Volos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

Messina is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Volos or Messina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Messina is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Messina is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.

Is Volos or Messina Better for Students?

Both Volos and Messina are nice destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Volos. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

Messina is popular with students. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

Is Volos or Messina Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Volos and Messina.

Volos has some public transit options. There is a bus system that travels around town.

You'll find some public transit in Messina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

Is Volos or Messina a more walkable city?

Volos and Messina are superb when it comes to walkability.

Volos is a very walkable city. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can explore on foot.

Messina is a very walkable destination. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

For even more information, also check out Is Volos Worth Visiting? and Is Messina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Messina or Volos?

How long in Volos or Messina?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Volos and Messina. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Messina than in Volos. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Volos, and 2-3 days is enough time in Messina.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Messina than Volos 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 Messina.

One day in Volos or Messina?

In Volos, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Messina, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this bustling destination offers. This port city 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.

A weekend in Volos or Messina?

In Volos, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volos has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Messina. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Five days in Volos or Messina?

Volos is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Messina is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Messina. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Volos or Messina?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Volos. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Volos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the bustling destination of Messina. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Volos and Messina, we can see that Messina is more expensive. And not only is Volos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volos 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 Messina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Messina than you might in Volos.

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

Which is Bigger, Volos or Messina?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Messina. When comparing the sizes of Volos and Messina, 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 Volos or Messina?

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 Volos or Messina in the Summer?

Both Messina and Volos during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Volos for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Messina in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Volos is generally around the same temperature as Messina. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 26°C (78°F), and Messina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In Messina, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Volos. In the summer, Volos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Messina. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 332 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Messina. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Messina receives 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Messina in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Messina. Many visitors come to Volos in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Messina for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Volos is cooler than Messina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Messina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

Volos usually receives less sunshine than Messina during autumn. Volos gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Volos usually receives less rain than Messina. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Messina receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volos or Messina in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Volos as well as Messina. Most visitors come to Volos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Messina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Volos is much colder than Messina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Volos in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Messina averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Volos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Messina. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Messina receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Messina. Volos usually gets less rain in January than Messina. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Messina receives 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Messina in the Spring?

Both Messina and Volos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Volos because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Messina this time of year.

In April, Volos is generally cooler than Messina. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 14°C (56°F), and Messina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Messina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Volos. Volos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Messina during spring. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Messina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Volos usually receives less rain than Messina. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Messina receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Messina and Volos