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

Should you visit Nantes or Sestri Levante?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes 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.

Nantes

Nantes is a historical, beautiful, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, 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.

Nantes and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Sestri Levante?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nantes. Although Nantes and Sestri Levante are popular destinations, Nantes has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nantes is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. It is also well known for The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Sestri Levante is famous for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Nantes different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantes 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 Nantes. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nantes 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 Nantes have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Nantes for the nightlife scene. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

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 Nantes or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

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

Nantes is not a resort destination.

Is Nantes or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Sestri Levante is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Nantes is not a beach destination.

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.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Nantes or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

Nantes is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Nantes has an old town worth visiting. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Sestri Levante?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nantes or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Nantes is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nantes. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Sestri Levante is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Nantes or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

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

Nantes is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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 Nantes or Sestri Levante Better for Students?

Nantes is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

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

Nantes is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its public transit.

The public transit in Nantes can get you to most places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

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 Nantes or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Nantes 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.

Nantes is very walkable. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Sestri Levante?

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

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

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

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

One day in Nantes or Sestri Levante?

In Nantes, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Nantes or Sestri Levante?

Nantes 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 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 Nantes or Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nantes. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 Nantes or Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Nantes. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nantes and Sestri Levante, we can see that Sestri Levante is more expensive. And not only is Nantes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nantes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nantes 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 Sestri Levante would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sestri Levante than you might in Nantes.

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

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Sestri Levante?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Nantes 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.