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

Should you visit Carcassonne or Sestri Levante?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Carcassonne and Sestri Levante. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fairytale, medieval, and historical town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a quiet, scenic, and local seaside town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches.

Carcassonne and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Sestri Levante?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Carcassonne than Sestri Levante, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Carcassonne is better known for its museums and historical sights, while Sestri Levante is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Also, Carcassonne is famous for La Cité de Carcassonne. Sestri Levante is well known for its two bays and coastal setting.

La Cité de Carcassonne

How is Carcassonne different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Carcassonne and Sestri Levante offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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 Carcassonne or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Sestri Levante is not a good area for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Sestri Levante doesn't offer many options. 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Carcassonne is not a resort destination.

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.

Carcassonne is not a resort destination.

Is Carcassonne or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Sestri Levante is a good destination for its beaches. However, Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Carcassonne or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

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

Carcassonne has an old town worth visiting. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is Carcassonne or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Both Carcassonne and Sestri Levante are notable family-friendly destinations.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly town. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

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.

Is Carcassonne or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

Carcassonne and Sestri Levante both notable destinations for a couple.

Carcassonne is a nice destination for couples. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Sestri Levante makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Carcassonne or Sestri Levante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Carcassonne and Sestri Levante.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

You'll find some public transit in Sestri Levante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Is Carcassonne or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Carcassonne and Sestri Levante are fantastic when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Carcassonne. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Sestri Levante?

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

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

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

One day in Carcassonne or Sestri Levante?

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

Sestri Levante is a small town with plenty to do. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this seaside town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Sestri Levante?

Carcassonne 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 might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This seaside town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Carcassonne or Sestri Levante?

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

Because Sestri Levante is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Carcassonne or Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the town of Carcassonne. 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.

Since Sestri Levante is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carcassonne and Sestri Levante, we can see that Sestri Levante is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Sestri Levante?

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