A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Saint-Etienne for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

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

Should I visit Aegina or Saint-Etienne? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aegina

Aegina is a active, relaxing, and vibrant island. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Aegina and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Aegina. Although Aegina and Saint-Etienne are both popular with visitors, Aegina has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Aegina is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Aegina is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. It is also home to the Temple of Athena Aphaia. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Aegina different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

Aegina is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Aegina. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Aegina or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aegina is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Aegina has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Aegina or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Aegina is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Aegina for the nightlife scene. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Aegina or Saint-Etienne Better for Beaches?

Aegina is a good destination for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Aegina offers a nice beach destination. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Aegina or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Aegina is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Aegina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

Aegina is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Aegina. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Aegina or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Aegina or Saint-Etienne.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aegina. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Aegina or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Aegina is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Aegina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Aegina or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aegina is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Aegina. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Aegina or Saint-Etienne Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aegina and Saint-Etienne.

You'll find some public transit in Aegina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Aegina or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Aegina and Saint-Etienne both are good when exploring on foot.

Aegina is a somewhat walkable island. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

Saint-Etienne is somewhat walkable. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Aegina Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Aegina or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. In our opinion, Aegina has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Aegina than Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aegina than Saint-Etienne 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 Aegina.

One day in Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxing destination of Aegina. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne 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.

Five days in Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun destination of Aegina. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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 Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the island of Aegina. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the industrial destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 Honeymoon Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Saint-Etienne, 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 Aegina or Saint-Etienne?

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 Aegina or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Aegina during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Aegina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aegina is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Aegina. In the summer, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Saint-Etienne. The autumn months attract visitors to Aegina because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

Aegina is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during autumn. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Aegina usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Aegina or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Saint-Etienne. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aegina this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. In the winter, Aegina is much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aegina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Aegina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Aegina for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Aegina is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aegina. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Aegina usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Aegina