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

Should you visit Marseille or Sestri Levante?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Sestri Levante, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a quaint, relaxing, and quiet 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. It's also popular because of the food and beaches.

Marseille and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Sestri Levante?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille. Although Marseille and Sestri Levante are popular destinations, Marseille has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Marseille is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Sestri Levante is famous for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Marseille different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Many restaurants in Marseille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sestri Levante makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Marseille or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

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

Marseille is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

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 Marseille or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille 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.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Marseille or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Both Marseille and Sestri Levante have nice beaches worth visiting.

Marseille has a beach worth visiting. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

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.

Is Marseille or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Marseille is one of the most recognized in the world. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Sestri Levante?

Marseille is great for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marseille or Sestri Levante Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, Sestri Levante does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Sestri Levante does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Sestri Levante is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Sestri Levante is a family-friendly seaside 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.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Marseille or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

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

Marseille is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

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 Marseille or Sestri Levante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

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 Marseille or Sestri Levante Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Marseille and Sestri Levante.

Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

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 Marseille or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Sestri Levante. There are pedestrian promenades and charming streets through town that are best explored on foot.

Marseille is very walkable. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Sestri Levante?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marseille and Sestri Levante. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Marseille than Sestri Levante. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-3 days is enough time in Sestri Levante.

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

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

One day in Marseille or Sestri Levante?

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

Even though Sestri Levante is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sestri Levante has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Sestri Levante?

Marseille 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 is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this seaside town has to offer. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Sestri Levante is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint city of Marseille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Sestri Levante is a popular choice for travelers. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Sestri Levante, we can see that Marseille 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 Marseille Expensive? and Is Sestri Levante Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Sestri Levante?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Marseille 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.