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

Should you visit Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cordoba and Sestri Levante can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cordoba

Cordoba is a flower-filled, historical, and beautiful 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 relaxing, quiet, and scenic 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.

Cordoba and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to La Mezquita
Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cordoba. Although Cordoba and Sestri Levante are popular destinations, Cordoba has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cordoba 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. Cordoba is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is popular for its mix of Roman, Islamic, and Spanish architecture, its whitewashed buildings and streets filled with flowers, and its handcrafted leatherwork. It is also well known for La Mezquita. Sestri Levante is famous for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Cordoba different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

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

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Cordoba has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with monuments that reflect its past. The Great Mosque (La Mezquita) is one of the most iconic sights. You can also visit Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Palacio de Viana, and Puente Romano.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

Both Cordoba and Sestri Levante offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Cordoba is an experience not to be missed. Like much of Spain, international travelers will have to adjust to the shifted meal schedule which means most meals are served are later than they are in other parts of Europe. The ingredients are fresh and popular dishes include Salmorejo (a tomato based soup), Rabo De Toro (stewed oxtail), and Flamenquín (deep-fried pork roll).

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 Cordoba or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

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

Many people head to Cordoba for the nightlife scene. There are cocktail bars, Flamenco shows, tapas tours, and local pubs that make for a great night out. The city offers something for everyone, whatever your style.

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 Cordoba or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a seaside town with good options for its resorts. However, Cordoba 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.

Cordoba is not a resort destination.


Is Cordoba or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a seaside town with good options for the beach. However, Cordoba is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sestri Levante. 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.

Cordoba is not a beach destination.

Is Cordoba or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

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

The old town of Cordoba is one of the most recognized in the world. It's old town is one of the most enchanting in Andalusia. There are whitewashed houses that line flower-filled streets and its compact enough to take a leisurely stroll.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

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

Cordoba has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find souvenir shops selling local pottery, traditional jewelry, and handcrafted leatherwork, so this is a nice place to pick up something to remember your trip.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Cordoba or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

Both Cordoba and Sestri Levante are nice to visit with kids.

Cordoba is a family-friendly place to visit. Horse-drawn carriage rides and then a visit to the Royal Stables of Cordoba is a great option for horse-lovers. The city also has a zoo and an impressive park - Ciudad de Los Niños. If you're willing to head out of town, about 10 kilometers away you'll find Aquasierra Waterpark.

Sestri Levante is a family-friendly town. 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 Cordoba or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

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

Cordoba is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Beautifully lit up at night, this is a truly romantic city. There are horse-drawn carriage rides, nice parks, and an impressive botanical garden. There are also many great restaurants that couples can explore.

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 Cordoba or Sestri Levante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Cordoba. It's well-established on the backpacker circuit, so you'll find plenty of hostels around town and many opportunities to meet up with other travelers.

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 Cordoba or Sestri Levante Better for Students?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

Cordoba is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

Cordoba is a very popular town for students. It's a top study abroad destination for international students. The university is excellent and the city is easy to navigate. It's a cultural city with a great student-friendly atmosphere.

Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

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

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

Both Cordoba and Sestri Levante offer nice public transit options.

Cordoba has a few public transit options. There are 15 bus lines that are operated by Aucorsa.

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 Cordoba or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Cordoba
Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Cordoba is very walkable. It's small and compact enough to explore on foot.


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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Cordoba?

How long in Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cordoba and Sestri Levante. In our opinion, Cordoba has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cordoba than Sestri Levante. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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


  • How many days in Cordoba or Sestri Levante? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cordoba 1-3 
    Sestri Levante 1-3

One day in Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

In Cordoba, 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.

Sestri Levante is a small town with plenty to do. This seaside town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

Cordoba 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.

Sestri Levante might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sestri Levante has to offer.

Five days in Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cordoba. 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 great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.


A week in Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the town of Cordoba. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sestri Levante. Since Sestri Levante is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Sestri Levante or Cordoba?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cordoba is €127, while the average daily cost in Sestri Levante is €143. 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 Cordoba and Sestri Levante in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cordoba 68
    Sestri Levante 75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cordoba 136
    Sestri Levante 150
Compare Hotels in Cordoba and Sestri Levante

Looking for a hotel in Cordoba or Sestri Levante? 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 Cordoba


Hotels in Sestri Levante


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: Cordoba Hotel Prices and Sestri Levante Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cordoba 28
    Sestri Levante 56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cordoba:

  • Private Transfer from Córdoba to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $295
  • Cordoba to Granada Private Transfer: $241
  • Private Transfer IN or OUT in Upscale Vehicle with Professional Driver: $132
  • Private transfer in Cordoba from Airport or Train Station: $72
  • Medina Azahara Cordoba, with Transfer by Bus: $34
  • Guided tour of Medina Azahara with transfer from Córdoba: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

Prices for flights to both Sestri Levante and Cordoba 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
    Cordoba 34
    Sestri Levante 34
Typical Food Prices in Cordoba

Some typical examples of dining costs in Cordoba are as follows:


  • Ice Cream
    1.80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cordoba

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cordoba.

  • Paella and Salmorejo 2-Hour Cooking Class in Córdoba: $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cordoba 25
    Sestri Levante 25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cordoba

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cordoba are as follows:


  • Garden Entrance Fee
    6.00

Tours and Activities in Cordoba

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cordoba are as follows:

  • 3-Hour Tour from Cordoba to the Site of Medina Azahara: $32
  • Alcazar Skip the Line Guided Tour: $20
  • Alcazar of Cordoba Small Group Tour with Skip the Line Ticket: $20
  • Arabian Baths Experience at Cordoba’s Hammam Al Ándalus: $66
  • Authentic Patios of Cordoba Guided Tour: $20
  • Best of Cordoba Guided Tour : $46
  • Bike Tour Córdoba: $32
  • Córdoba Highlight Walking Tour: $32
  • Córdoba Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $8.95
  • City Sightseeing Cordoba Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $24
  • Cordoba : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide: $49
  • Cordoba Jewish Quartier Guided Tour: $16

Tours and Activities in Sestri Levante

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

  • Punta Manara Hiking Tour: $503

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cordoba 37
    Sestri Levante 7.86

Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cordoba:

  • Evening Wine Tasting Córdoba: $26
  • Evening Local Wine Tasting in Córdoba: $39


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


Which is Bigger, Cordoba or Sestri Levante?

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