A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Sestri Levante for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Aegina or Sestri Levante?

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

Should I visit Aegina or Sestri Levante? 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. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a scenic, local, and quaint seaside town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Aegina and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Sestri Levante?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Aegina. Although Aegina and Sestri Levante are popular destinations, Aegina has more sights and attractions for tourists. Aegina is very popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its food, resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Aegina is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is popular for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. It is also well known for the Temple of Athena Aphaia. Sestri Levante is famous for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Aegina different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante?

Aegina is great for its historical sights. However, Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Aegina or Sestri Levante? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sestri Levante is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Sestri Levante is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many restaurants along the central road in the old town, Via XXV Aprile. Seafood is popular, as are many other Italian favorites. If you're visiting during the summer months then it's best to make reservations as wait times can be long.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. 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.

Is Aegina or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Aegina is great for its evening party scene. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

People don't go to Sestri Levante for the nightlife. There are a few places to grab a drink, but if you're looking for nightlife, you'll really need to head out of town.

Is Aegina or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is a popular place for its resorts. However, Aegina is not a resort destination.

Sestri Levante has a few great resort options. There are a number of hotels in the old town or by the beach. You'll also find a decent selection of vacation rentals. During peak season you'll want to make your reservations early.

Aegina is not a resort destination.

Is Aegina or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Aegina and Sestri Levante are nice choices.

Aegina is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people head to Sestri Levante to enjoy the beach. Home to two beaches, this makes a nice holiday spot if you're hoping to relax by the water. The beaches can get crowded with Italians during the summer months, but it still offers a charming seaside spot. Many people head to the beach by the the Bay of Silence in part because it's free. Make sure you arrive early. By the Bay of Fairytales you can rent chairs and umbrellas and enjoy a little more space.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Sestri Levante?

Aegina is a island with good options for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Aegina has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Aegina or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Aegina or Sestri Levante.

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.

Sestri Levante offers lots of family activities. This is a great spot for families that want a relaxing holiday with a small town vibe. The picturesque setting is said to have inspired fairytales, and today kids will enjoy playing on the playgrounds or exploring at the adventure park. There are also hikes, activities, and restaurants that are great for kids and adults alike.

Is Aegina or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Aegina and Sestri Levante make for a nice place to visit.

Aegina is a good island for couples to visit. 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.

Sestri Levante is a nice destination for couples. This scenic setting offers a relaxing holiday for couples who want to enjoy quiet time together. There are plenty of outdoor activities and a cultural town with a lot of beauty to explore. It's one of the lesser known destinations in the area, so you will have a peaceful small town vibe that's great for a romantic getaway.

Is Aegina or Sestri Levante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aegina is a island with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for backpackers.

Aegina is a good island to visit for backpackers. 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.

Sestri Levante is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are some dorm rooms in town, but most backpackers head to one of the more well known destinations in the area. The atmosphere and history makes for a unique experience for those who do make the trip.

Is Aegina or Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante.

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 Sestri Levante offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Is Aegina or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is an amazing seaside town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Sestri Levante on foot is easy. There are pedestrian promenades and charming streets through town that are best explored on foot.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Aegina Worth Visiting? and Is Sestri Levante Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Sestri Levante?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aegina than Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante?

In Aegina, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Sestri Levante might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Aegina or Sestri Levante?

Aegina is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sestri Levante. 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 Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the island of Aegina. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

Sestri Levante is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This seaside town 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aegina and Sestri Levante, we can see that Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Sestri Levante?

Sestri Levante has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Sestri Levante, 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.