A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Monaco vs. La Spezia for Nightlife, Couples, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Monaco or La Spezia?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Monaco and La Spezia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Monaco

Monaco is a glitzy, glamorous, and captivating coastal resort area. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

La Spezia

La Spezia is a cultural, lively, and convenient town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Monaco and La Spezia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Monaco or La Spezia?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Monaco than La Spezia, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Monaco is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while La Spezia is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Monaco is more touristy than La Spezia and is popular for its grand hotels, luxurious casinos, opulent malls, and popularity with celebrities. Also, Monaco is famous for Monte Carlo. La Spezia is well known for being the gateway to Cinque Terre.

How is Monaco different from La Spezia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Monaco or La Spezia?

La Spezia is a town with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

La Spezia offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The highlight of the area is the surrounding natural beauty, but in town you can visit the Maritime Museum, The castle of San Giorgio, and The Amedeo Lia Art Museum.

Monaco does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Monaco or La Spezia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Monaco and La Spezia can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Monaco. The cuisine is heavily influenced by both French and Italian cuisines. You'll find many dishes that take advantage of the coastal location, with seafood being very common. The national dish is Barbagiuan, which is a deep-fried pastry that is filled with ricotta cheese, Swiss chard, and other vegetables.

La Spezia has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town has many local flavors that incorporate seafood and other local ingredients. Focaccia is popular, as is Farinata, which is a chickpea flour pancake. Anchovies and mussels are also common ingredients.

Is Monaco or La Spezia Better for Nightlife?

Monaco is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Monaco is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It's where sophistication meets glam, with many luxury nightclubs, cocktail bars, casinos, and even opera houses that you can explore. The city attracts celebrities, wealthy business people, and jetsetters who are looking to socialize, see, and be seen.

La Spezia has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find more bars and clubs around town than you do in the smaller nearby towns. Some people head into La Spezia for the evening to grab a drink and socialize.

Is Monaco or La Spezia Better for Resorts?

Monaco is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, La Spezia is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Monaco for its luxury resorts. As the playground for the rich and famous, this city has its share of luxury resorts. Famous hotels include the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, and the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

La Spezia is not a resort destination.

Is Monaco or La Spezia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Monaco is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, La Spezia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Monaco. There are both beaches that offer walk-in snorkeling spots as well as boat tours that you can book that will take you to some of the best snorkeling and dive sights around Monaco.

La Spezia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Monaco or La Spezia Better for Beaches?

Monaco and La Spezia are notable choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Monaco to enjoy the beach. Located along the French Riviera, the beaches are a mix of pebbles and sand. The only public beach is Plage du Larvotto in Monte Carlo and there are a number of activities available including jet skis and wind-surfing. This is also a very family-friendly beach that kids of all ages can enjoy.

La Spezia has a beach worth visiting. The beaches in the area tend to be rocky and pebbly. For the best beaches, head out of town to nearby areas.

Is Monaco or La Spezia Better for its Old Town?

La Spezia is very good for its old town. However, Monaco does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to La Spezia to see the old town. The old town runs between the streets of Corso Cavour and Via Prione and is best explored on foot.

Monaco does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Monaco or La Spezia?

Monaco is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Monaco draws large crowds to its stores. A visit would not be complete without experiencing the city's shopping. There are couture, luxury brands as well as local boutiques that are frequented by the wealthy and famous. Popular shopping areas include Le Metropole Shopping Center, Fontvieille Shopping Centre, and La Condamine Market.

Many visitors go to La Spezia to go shopping. There's a morning market at Piazza del Mercato as well as many clothing and souvenir shops around town.

Is Monaco or La Spezia Better for Families?

La Spezia is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Monaco is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Spezia. Visitors often use La Spezia as a base for visiting nearby Cinque Terre. The surrounding region has many kid-friendly activities like hiking, swimming, and beaches.

For families, Monaco is not always the best place to visit. The city has a few family-friendly activities like an Oceanography Museum, a Zoological Park, and a harbor where kids can explore. You can also check out the Changing of the Guards in the Old Town. The public beach in town, Plage du Larvotto, is very family-friendly as well.

Is Monaco or La Spezia Better for Couples?

Monaco is very popular for its romantic activities. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Monaco is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Filled with luxury, a couple can enjoy perusing the yachts in the harbor, dining on fine cuisine at an award winning restaurant, or staying at one of the many fancy hotels in town. You can also explore the area by air, by taking a truly spectacular helicopter tour.

Couples visit La Spezia frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It makes a nice base for visiting nearby sights if the more popular Cinque Terre area is too overwhelming.

Is Monaco or La Spezia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Spezia is well known for backpackers. However, Monaco is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

La Spezia is a great town to visit for backpackers. It's more affordable than the nearby towns in Cinque Terre, but they're still easily accessible from town.

Monaco is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Known for it's luxury accommodation and posh visitors, this coastal area isn't known for its backpacker friendly atmosphere. Most budget travelers skip the glitz and glam of this microstate in order to save a few bucks.

Is Monaco or La Spezia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Monaco and La Spezia.

You'll find some public transit in Monaco, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system.

While La Spezia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses, trains, and ferry boats offer the main forms of transportation in the area.

Is Monaco or La Spezia a more walkable city?

Monaco is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Monaco. It's small and compact size means that it is easy to explore the entire area on foot in a short amount of time.

La Spezia is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and you'll find a pedestrian-only area downhill from the train station.

For even more information, also check out Is Monaco Worth Visiting? and Is La Spezia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Spezia or Monaco?

How long in Monaco or La Spezia?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Spezia than Monaco 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 La Spezia.

One day in Monaco or La Spezia?

People visit Monaco because there is so much to do. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Monaco has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of La Spezia. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Monaco or La Spezia?

People visit Monaco because there is so much to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal resort area has to offer. This coastal resort area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

La Spezia 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 Monaco or La Spezia?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the thrilling coastal resort area of Monaco. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Spezia. 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 Monaco or La Spezia?

Monaco is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of La Spezia. This 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Monaco and La Spezia, we can see that La Spezia 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 Monaco Expensive? and Is La Spezia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Monaco or La Spezia?

La Spezia has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Monaco. When comparing the sizes of Monaco and La Spezia, 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.