A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chartres vs. San Remo for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Chartres or San Remo?

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

Should I visit Chartres or San Remo? 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.

Chartres

Chartres is a spectacular, historic, and grand town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

San Remo

San Remo is a relaxing, beautiful, and scenic coastal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Chartres and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Chartres or San Remo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Remo. Although Chartres and San Remo are both popular with visitors, San Remo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Remo is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its museums and small town charm. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. San Remo is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market. It is also home to The Flower Market.

How is Chartres different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chartres or San Remo?

Chartres
San Remo

Chartres is a popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chartres. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Chartres or San Remo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chartres
San Remo

San Remo is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

San Remo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Chartres or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Chartres
San Remo

San Remo is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities San Remo has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or San Remo Better for Beaches?

Chartres
San Remo

San Remo is great for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

San Remo is considered a top beach destination. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Chartres is not a beach destination.


Is Chartres or San Remo Better for its Old Town?

Chartres
San Remo

San Remo is great for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or San Remo?

Chartres
San Remo

San Remo is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Remo. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or San Remo Better for Families?

Chartres
San Remo

San Remo is great for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, San Remo is very family-friendly. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.


Is Chartres or San Remo Better for Couples?

Chartres
San Remo

San Remo is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

San Remo is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

Chartres is a good town for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Chartres or San Remo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chartres
San Remo

Chartres is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Chartres. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is Chartres or San Remo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chartres
San Remo

Chartres is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Chartres offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

You'll find some public transit in San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.


Is Chartres or San Remo a more walkable city?

Chartres
San Remo

Chartres and San Remo are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable town. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

San Remo is a very walkable destination. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

For even more information, also check out Is Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is San Remo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or San Remo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chartres or San Remo to fill your time. In our opinion, San Remo has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in San Remo than Chartres. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chartres than San Remo 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 Chartres.


  • How many days in Chartres or San Remo? Ideal Length of Stay
    Chartres 1-2 
    San Remo 1-2

One day in Chartres or San Remo?

The town of Chartres offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The beautiful coastal city of San Remo offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Chartres or San Remo?

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

San Remo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Remo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.


Five days in Chartres or San Remo?

Chartres 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.

San Remo 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 Chartres or San Remo?

Chartres 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 town offers something for everyone.

San Remo is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal city offers something for everyone.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, San Remo or Chartres?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chartres is €117, while the average daily cost in San Remo is €152. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chartres and San Remo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chartres 59
    San Remo 80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chartres 118
    San Remo 160
Compare Hotels in Chartres and San Remo

Looking for a hotel in Chartres or San Remo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Chartres


Hotels in San Remo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Chartres Hotel Prices and San Remo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chartres 26
    San Remo 46

Is it cheaper to fly into Chartres or San Remo?

Prices for flights to both San Remo and Chartres change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Chartres 39
    San Remo 44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chartres 22
    San Remo 23

Tours and Activities in Chartres

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chartres.

  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chartres 12
    San Remo 14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chartres and San Remo, we can see that San Remo is more expensive. And not only is Chartres much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chartres would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chartres 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 San Remo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Remo than you might in Chartres.

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


Which is Bigger, Chartres or San Remo?

San Remo has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres and San Remo, 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.


When is the best time to visit Chartres or San Remo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Chartres or San Remo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and San Remo. The summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Remo this time of year.

In the summer, Chartres is cooler than San Remo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chartres in July average around 20°C (68°F), and San Remo averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Remo this time of the year. In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chartres usually receives less sunshine than San Remo during summer. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Chartres usually receives more rain than San Remo. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chartres 20°C (68°F) 
    San Remo 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Chartres or San Remo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chartres as well as San Remo. The small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Chartres is generally cooler than San Remo. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 13°C (56°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Chartres often gets less sunshine than San Remo. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Remo. Chartres usually gets less rain in October than San Remo. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chartres 13°C (56°F) 
    San Remo 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Chartres or San Remo in the Winter?

Both San Remo and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Remo in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. Chartres is much colder than San Remo in the winter. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and San Remo fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than San Remo during winter. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chartres usually receives less rain than San Remo. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chartres 5°C (40°F) 
    San Remo 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Chartres or San Remo in the Spring?

Both San Remo and Chartres during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to San Remo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Chartres is cooler than San Remo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chartres in April average around 11°C (52°F), and San Remo averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Chartres often gets less sunshine than San Remo. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets less rain in April than San Remo. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chartres 11°C (52°F) 
    San Remo 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for San Remo and Chartres

Chartres San Remo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (56°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 16°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 55 mm (2.1 in) 21°C (69°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 17°C (63°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 51 mm (2 in) 10°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)


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