A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nice vs. San Remo for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Beaches

Should you visit Nice or San Remo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nice and San Remo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nice

Nice is a beautiful, opulent, and trendy seaside destination. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

San Remo

San Remo is a authentic, historic, and relaxing coastal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Nice and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or San Remo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nice than San Remo, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Nice is more touristy than San Remo and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. It is also home to The Promenade des Anglais. San Remo is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

How is Nice different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Nice or San Remo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nice is terrific for its restaurants. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Nice is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, San Remo makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is Nice or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Nice is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Nice is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is Nice or San Remo Better for Resorts?

Nice is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, San Remo is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Nice is a great choice. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

San Remo is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or San Remo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, San Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

San Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or San Remo Better for Beaches?

Both Nice and San Remo are considered to be excellent beach destinations.

The beaches at Nice attract visitors from all over. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Many people visit San Remo for it's beautiful beaches. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Is Nice or San Remo Better for its Old Town?

Both Nice and San Remo have excellent historic old towns worth visiting.

Nice is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or San Remo?

Nice is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nice. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

San Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Nice or San Remo Better for Families?

San Remo is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

San Remo is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Nice is a family-friendly seaside destination. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Nice or San Remo Better for Couples?

Nice is terrific for couples. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Nice makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Couples visit San Remo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

Is Nice or San Remo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nice is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is Nice or San Remo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nice is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Nice offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both buses and trams.

You'll find some public transit in San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.

Is Nice or San Remo a more walkable city?

Nice is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Nice. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

San Remo is very walkable. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

For even more information, also check out Is Nice Worth Visiting? and Is San Remo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Nice?

How long in Nice or San Remo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nice or San Remo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nice than San Remo because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 1-2 days is enough time in San Remo.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nice than San Remo 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 Nice.

One day in Nice or San Remo?

The beautiful seaside destination of Nice offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Remo. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Nice or San Remo?

Nice is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

San Remo is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nice or San Remo?

Nice is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nice, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of San Remo. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nice or San Remo?

Nice is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This seaside destination offers something for everyone.

The authentic coastal city of San Remo offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Nice and San Remo, we can see that San Remo 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 Nice Expensive? and Is San Remo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nice or San Remo?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of Nice and San Remo, 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.

When is the best time to visit Nice or San Remo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nice or San Remo in the Summer?

Both San Remo and Nice during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to San Remo in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nice is around the same temperature as San Remo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nice in July average around 23°C (73°F), and San Remo averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Nice usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as San Remo. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or San Remo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and San Remo. Many visitors come to Nice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Nice is generally around the same temperature as San Remo. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 17°C (63°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

San Remo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nice gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nice usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Remo. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nice or San Remo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nice as well as San Remo. Most visitors come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Remo because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Nice is around the same temperature as San Remo in the winter. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and San Remo fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Nice usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as San Remo. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or San Remo in the Spring?

Both San Remo and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Remo this time of year.

In the spring, Nice is around the same temperature as San Remo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nice in April average around 13°C (56°F), and San Remo averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Nice usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Remo. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Remo and Nice