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

Should you visit Alicante or Sestri Levante?

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 Alicante and Sestri Levante can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a authentic, vibrant, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a local, quaint, and relaxing 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. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Alicante and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Sestri Levante?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alicante. Although Alicante and Sestri Levante are both popular with visitors, Alicante has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Alicante is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Sestri Levante is known for its resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. It is also home to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara. Sestri Levante is popular for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Alicante different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alicante or Sestri Levante?

Alicante 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 Alicante. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Alicante and Sestri Levante.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Alicante. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

Sestri Levante has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Alicante or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Alicante is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Alicante has a few options to choose from. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

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 Alicante or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is very good for its resorts. However, Alicante is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Sestri Levante makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Alicante is not a resort destination.

Is Alicante or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Alicante and Sestri Levante are good choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Alicante to enjoy the beach. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

Sestri Levante has a beach worth visiting. 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 Alicante or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

Alicante is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Alicante has an old town worth visiting. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Sestri Levante?

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

Alicante has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Alicante or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Alicante is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Alicante. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

Sestri Levante is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Alicante or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

Alicante is great for couples. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for romance.

Alicante is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

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 Alicante or Sestri Levante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Alicante is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

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 Alicante or Sestri Levante Better for Students?

Alicante is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Alicante. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

Is Alicante 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 Alicante and Sestri Levante.

You'll find some public transit in Alicante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

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 Alicante or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Alicante is a somewhat walkable city. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Sestri Levante?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alicante and Sestri Levante. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alicante than in Sestri Levante. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alicante, and 1-3 days is enough time in Sestri Levante.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alicante 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 Alicante.

One day in Alicante or Sestri Levante?

In Alicante, you'll find museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Sestri Levante is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Alicante or Sestri Levante?

Alicante 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this seaside town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sestri Levante, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Sestri Levante?

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

Sestri Levante is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Alicante or Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Alicante. 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 great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This seaside town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Sestri Levante, we can see that Sestri Levante is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Sestri Levante?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Alicante 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.