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

Should you visit Monaco or Sestri Levante?

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 Sestri Levante can help you decide which place is right for you.

Monaco

Monaco is a posh, glitzy, and glamorous coastal resort area. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a local, quaint, and relaxing seaside town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Monaco and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Monaco or Sestri Levante?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Monaco. Although Monaco and Sestri Levante are both popular with visitors, Monaco has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Monaco is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and big city activities, while Sestri Levante is known for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Monaco is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is popular for its grand hotels, luxurious casinos, opulent malls, and popularity with celebrities. It is also home to Monte Carlo. Sestri Levante is popular for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Monaco different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Monaco and Sestri Levante can be difficult as they are each superb 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.

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 Monaco or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

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

Monaco is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

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 Monaco or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Monaco is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its resorts.

Monaco is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Sestri Levante has a handful of resorts to choose from. 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.

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

Monaco is a coastal resort area 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 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.

Sestri Levante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Monaco or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Monaco and Sestri Levante are good 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.

Sestri Levante has a beach worth visiting. 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 the Shopping Better in Monaco or Sestri Levante?

Monaco is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Monaco specifically to go shopping. 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.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Monaco or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante. 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.

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 Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

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

Monaco is a great coastal resort area for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

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 Monaco or Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante.

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

While Sestri Levante offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Is Monaco or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Monaco and Sestri Levante both are amazing when exploring on foot.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Monaco?

How long in Monaco or Sestri Levante?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Monaco and Sestri Levante. In our opinion, Monaco has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Monaco 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 Monaco. 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 Monaco than Sestri Levante. 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 Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante.

One day in Monaco or Sestri Levante?

Because Monaco is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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 Monaco or Sestri Levante?

Monaco is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 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 Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Monaco. It's also a relaxing resort destination. It offers something for everyone. 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 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 Monaco or Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the coastal resort area of Monaco. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Monaco and Sestri Levante, we can see that Monaco is more expensive. And not only is Sestri Levante much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sestri Levante would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sestri Levante and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Monaco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Monaco than you might in Sestri Levante.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Monaco Expensive? and Is Sestri Levante Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Monaco or Sestri Levante?

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