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

Should you visit Arles 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 Arles and Sestri Levante can help you decide which place is right for you.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Arles and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arles or Sestri Levante?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arles. Although Arles and Sestri Levante are popular destinations, Arles has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arles is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. It is also well known for L'Amphithéâtre Romain. Sestri Levante is famous for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Arles different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Arles has many famous sights for visitors. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Arles and Sestri Levante can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sestri Levante. 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 Arles or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Arles is a town 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 Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

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 Arles or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is very good for its resorts. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not a resort destination.

Is Arles or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Sestri Levante is very good for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Arles or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

Arles is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Arles is one of the most recognized in the world. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Arles or Sestri Levante?

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

Arles has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Arles or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Sestri Levante is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sestri Levante. 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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Arles or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

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

Arles is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

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 Arles 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 Arles and Sestri Levante.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

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 Arles or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Arles 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.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Arles?

How long in Arles or Sestri Levante?

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

Families should spend more time in Sestri Levante than Arles. 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.

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

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

One day in Arles or Sestri Levante?

In Arles, you'll find museums and nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Even though Sestri Levante is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Arles or Sestri Levante?

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Sestri Levante is a fun place to experience. Sestri Levante is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Arles or Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the town of Arles. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 you can explore the area with less time. 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 Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Arles 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 Arles Expensive? and Is Sestri Levante Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arles or Sestri Levante?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Arles 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.