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

Should you visit Giverny or Sestri Levante?

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

Should I visit Giverny or Sestri Levante? 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.

Giverny

Giverny is a picturesque, peaceful, and serene town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a scenic, local, and quaint seaside town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food and beaches.

Giverny and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Home and Gardens of Claude Monet
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less walkable
Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Giverny or Sestri Levante?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Giverny. Although Giverny and Sestri Levante are both popular with visitors, Giverny has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Giverny is more popular for its museums, while Sestri Levante is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Giverny is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. It is also home to The Home and Gardens of Claude Monet. Sestri Levante is popular for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Giverny different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Giverny
Sestri Levante

Giverny 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 Giverny. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Giverny
Sestri Levante

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

Sestri Levante has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Giverny or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Giverny
Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is mediocre for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Sestri Levante 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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Giverny or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Giverny
Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Giverny is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Sestri Levante makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Giverny is not a resort destination.


Is Giverny or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Giverny
Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a popular place for the beache. However, Giverny is not a beach destination.

Sestri Levante is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Giverny is not a beach destination.

Is Giverny or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Giverny
Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Sestri Levante offers lots of family activities. 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.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Giverny or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

Giverny
Sestri Levante

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

Giverny is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

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 Giverny or Sestri Levante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Giverny
Sestri Levante

Giverny is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for backpackers.

Giverny is a good town to visit for backpackers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

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

Giverny
Sestri Levante

Giverny and Sestri Levante both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Giverny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

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

Is Giverny or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Giverny
Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is an amazing seaside town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Giverny is a somewhat walkable town. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).


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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Giverny?

How long in Giverny or Sestri Levante?

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

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

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


  • How many days in Giverny or Sestri Levante? Ideal Length of Stay
    Giverny 1-2 
    Sestri Levante 1-3

One day in Giverny or Sestri Levante?

In Giverny, 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. 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 Giverny or Sestri Levante?

Giverny 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. 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 Giverny or Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Giverny. It offers something for everyone. 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 Giverny or Sestri Levante?

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

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 Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Sestri Levante or Giverny?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Giverny is €125, 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 Giverny and Sestri Levante in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Giverny 60
    Sestri Levante 75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Giverny 120
    Sestri Levante 150
Compare Hotels in Giverny and Sestri Levante

Looking for a hotel in Giverny 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 Giverny


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: Sestri Levante Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Giverny 48
    Sestri Levante 56

Is it cheaper to fly into Giverny or Sestri Levante?

Prices for flights to both Sestri Levante and Giverny 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
    Giverny 35
    Sestri Levante 34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Giverny 26
    Sestri Levante 25

Tours and Activities in Giverny

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

  • Bike tour from Vernon to Giverny with local guide: $37
  • Giverny Monet House and Gardens Skip the line Walking tour: $60
  • Giverny Private Guided Walking Tour: $294
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $278
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $256
  • Monet's House and Gardens Guided Tour: $62
  • Monet’s House and Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour: $59
  • Guided Tour of Monet's Gardens/small group: $63
  • Guided tour Monet's house and gardens/small group: $64
  • Trip from Paris to Monet's house in Giverny Skip the Line: $96

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
    Giverny 6.64
    Sestri Levante 7.86


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


Which is Bigger, Giverny or Sestri Levante?

Sestri Levante has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny 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.

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