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

Should you visit Malaga 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 Malaga 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.

Malaga

Malaga is a beautiful, friendly, and welcoming port 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 quiet, scenic, and local seaside town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Malaga and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Sestri Levante?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Malaga. Although Malaga and Sestri Levante are both popular with visitors, Malaga has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Malaga is more popular for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, and shopping, while Sestri Levante is known for its resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Malaga is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. It is also home to The Alcazaba. Sestri Levante is popular for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Malaga different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Malaga and Sestri Levante offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Malaga. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

Sestri Levante has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Is Malaga or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

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

Malaga is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

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 Malaga or Sestri Levante Better for Music?

Malaga is great for its music scene. However, Sestri Levante is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Malaga draws a good crowd. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

Sestri Levante is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is a good destination for its resorts. However, Malaga 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.

Malaga is not a resort destination.

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

Malaga is a port 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 Malaga. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

Sestri Levante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Malaga and Sestri Levante both offer good beaches.

Malaga offers a nice beach destination. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

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.

Is Malaga or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

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

Malaga is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Sestri Levante?

Malaga is a port city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Malaga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Malaga or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Both Malaga and Sestri Levante are good family-friendly destinations.

Malaga is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Sestri Levante is a family-friendly port 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 Malaga or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

Malaga and Sestri Levante both good destinations for a couple.

Malaga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Sestri Levante is a good port city for couples to visit. 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 Malaga or Sestri Levante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Malaga, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

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 Malaga or Sestri Levante Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Malaga. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

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

Both Malaga and Sestri Levante offer good public transit options.

Malaga has a few public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

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 Malaga or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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.

Malaga is a very walkable destination. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Sestri Levante?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Malaga and Sestri Levante. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than in Sestri Levante. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 1-3 days is enough time in Sestri Levante.

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

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

One day in Malaga or Sestri Levante?

In Malaga, 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 Malaga or Sestri Levante?

Malaga is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 Malaga or Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malaga. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 Malaga or Sestri Levante?

In Malaga, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Sestri Levante?

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