Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Palermo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Palermo or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Palermo and Essaouira 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.
Where Should I go: Palermo or Essaouira?
Palermo
Located on its north coast, Palermo is the capital city of Sicily. The city has a lot to offer visitors who decide to venture to this often overlooked part of Italy. There is an interesting history, some unique and delicious food, and a fascinating culture. Prices in Sicily are generally cheaper than elsewhere in Italy. There are a handful of budget accommodation options and plenty of mid range hotels that are spread throughout the city. The rooms are usually comfortable and clean but as always, read reviews before making your reservation.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
-
Palermo Prices
Italy PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPalermo €114Essaouira €52
The average daily cost (per person) in Palermo is €114, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is €52. 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 Palermo and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPalermo €56Essaouira €24
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPalermo €112Essaouira €48
Compare Hotels in Palermo and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Palermo or Essaouira? 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.
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: Palermo Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Palermo €5.64Essaouira €1.89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Palermo
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Palermo:
-
Bus to Monreale€3.00
-
Bus From Airport€6.00
-
90 Minute Bus Pass€1.30
-
Short Taxi Ride€4.35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palermo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palermo:
- Private transfer from Palermo Airport to Capo d'Orlando or vice versa: $299
- Private Transfer Catania Airport ⇄ Palermo Centre (Airport): $279
- Private Transfer from Palermo (PMO) Airport to Santa Flavia: $201
- Palermo Airport (PMO) to Palermo Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $184
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Adler SPA Resort Siculiana: $175
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Verdura Golf Resort Sciacca: $148
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Cefalù or vice versa: $132
- Transfer from Palermo Airport to Cefalu: $127
- Private Transfer from Palermo to the Airport: $126
- Private transfer from Palermo airport to Marsala port or vice versa: $120
- Private transfer from Palermo Airport to San Vito Lo Capo or vice versa: $120
- Mangias Pollina Resort private transfer to Palermo airport: $120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Essaouira Airport: $23
- Transfer Airport Essaouira Mogador : $24
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Aéroport : $36
- Essaouira P5: Quad EN route DE la mer (free transfer): $38
- Essaouira P4: excursions EN Quad (free transfer): $38
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport : $41
- Essaouira Desert Quad and Sandboarding with Photos and Transfer: $71
- Essaouira to Marrakech:Private Transfer for a Hassle-Free Journey: $80
- Airport transfer from Essaouira to Marrakesh : $82
- "Essaouira to Agafay Desert Marrakech: Exclusive Private Transfer: $90
- Essaouira P13: 2h quad + 2h camel free transfer: $94
- Private Transfer From Essaouira To Marrakech: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Palermo or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Palermo 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 dayPalermo €51Essaouira €22
Typical Food Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of dining costs in Palermo are as follows:
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)€32
-
Fast Food Lunch€5.32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palermo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palermo.
- Palermo's Delight: Unleash the Secrets of Pizza and Gelato Making: $65
- Taste the Tradition on a Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $70
- Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better: $78
- Night Street Food Tour of Palermo with a Local -For real foodies!: $83
- Wanna be Sicilian: Palermo Cooking Class and Market Tour: $88
- Cooking class in Palermo city center: $114
- Sicilian Cooking Class: $117
- Cooking Class in Palermo - fresh pasta and tiramisù: $118
- Sicilian Dinner & Tarot – A Magical Night of Wine & Laughs: $118
- Palermo Sicilian Cooking Class with a Well-known Italian Chef: $118
- Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta: $123
- Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view: $138
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
-
Baklava€1.32
-
Breakfast Crepes€0.47
-
Fish for Lunch€14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
- Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $42
- Essaouira Sunset Experience, Waterfall Walk & Romantic Dinner: $43
- Al Aaila Farm Moroccan Natural And Healthy Cooking Experience: $54
- l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $72
- Essaouira Food Tour: $88
- Berber Cooking Class at a Farm in the Countryside & shopping at a rural Souk.: $106
- 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $219
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $220
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Palermo €17Essaouira €11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Palermo
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Palermo are as follows:
-
Capuchin Catacombs (for 2)€6.00
-
Castello della Zisa Entrance (for Two)€12
-
Theater Tickets (for Two)€49
Tours and Activities in Palermo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palermo are as follows:
- Agrigento Valley of the Temples and Villa Romana del Casale Tour from Palermo: $146
- Agrigento: Valley of the Temples Tour – Small Group or Private: $44
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Palermo: $166
- Discover the Charm of A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour: $36
- ERICE and SEGESTA Private Exclusive Tour starts from Palermo with Guide Driver: $299
- Exclusive Boat Tour Along the Palermo Coast Baia Mondello: $168
- From Palermo Sicilian Retreat Erice & Marsala Tour with Lunch: $166
- From the Vineyards to the Chalice: A Unique Tasting Experience: $251
- Full Day City Tour in Palermo , Monreale and Mondello, from Palermo: $299
- Guided tour of the historic center Palermo: $42
- Half day Monreale and Catacombs tour: $108
- Markets and Monuments: Walking Tour in the Center of Palermo: $42
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Essaouira to Marrakech Supratours bus tickets: $18
- Full-Day Essaouira Tour from Marrakech: $30
- Essaouira Donkey Tours : $30
- guided Oriental city tour marrakech from agadir 1 day: $39
- Quad Adventure in 1 Hour: $39
- 1 Hour Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira Forest Beach: $42
- 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $54
- Essaouira Dar Sultan Palace Horseback Tour Experience: $54
- Full Day Tour To Essaouira from Marrakech Mogador: $55
- Essaouira P12: 1h Quad bike tour and 1h dromedary Ride: $58
- 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $59
- Essaouira Tour - Half day visit to berber market : $61
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPalermo €11Essaouira €8.66
Typical Alcohol Prices in Palermo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Palermo:
-
Beer€2.56
-
Bottle of Quality Wine€11
Sample the Local Flavors in Palermo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Palermo:
- Wine Tasting Experience for Small Groups from Palermo: $269
- Private Tour to Segesta, Erice and Wine Tasting in Marsala: $275
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palermo and Essaouira, we can see that Palermo is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Palermo is in Europe and Essaouira is in Africa, 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 Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Palermo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palermo than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Palermo Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Palermo or Essaouira?
Palermo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Palermo and Essaouira, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.