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

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

Cannes

Cannes is a opulent , luxury, and lavish resort city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a local, quaint, and relaxing seaside town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Cannes and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cannes or Sestri Levante?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cannes. Although Cannes and Sestri Levante are popular destinations, Cannes has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cannes is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Cannes is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is popular for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. It is also well known for Boulevard de la Croisette. Sestri Levante is famous for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Cannes different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cannes is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Cannes have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sestri Levante makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Cannes or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Cannes for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

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 Cannes or Sestri Levante Better for Music?

Cannes is renowned for its music scene. However, Sestri Levante is not a live music destination.

Cannes has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Sestri Levante is not a live music destination.

Is Cannes or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Cannes is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its resorts.

Cannes is a world class resort vacation destination. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Sestri Levante has a handful of resorts to choose from. 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.

Is Cannes or Sestri Levante Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a resort city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sestri Levante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Cannes. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Sestri Levante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cannes or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Cannes is great for the beach. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its beaches.

The beaches at Cannes attract visitors from all over. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Sestri Levante offers a nice beach destination. 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 Cannes or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

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

Cannes is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cannes or Sestri Levante?

Cannes is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Cannes specifically to go shopping. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cannes or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Cannes or Sestri Levante.

Cannes is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

Sestri Levante is a family-friendly resort city. 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 Cannes or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

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

Cannes is a great resort city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

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 Cannes or Sestri Levante Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Cannes and Sestri Levante offer nice public transit options.

Cannes has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Sestri Levante has some public transit options. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Is Cannes or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is an amazing seaside town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its walkability.

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

Cannes is very walkable. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Cannes?

How long in Cannes or Sestri Levante?

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

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

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

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

One day in Cannes or Sestri Levante?

In Cannes, you'll find nightlife and live music. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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 Cannes or Sestri Levante?

Cannes is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Cannes or Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cannes. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Cannes or Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the resort city of Cannes. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Bicycle Tours in France, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Cannes or Sestri Levante?

Cannes has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Cannes 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.