A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Palermo vs. San Remo for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Palermo 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 Palermo 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.

Palermo

Palermo is a diverse, dynamic, and fun city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Remo

San Remo is a authentic, historic, and relaxing coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Palermo and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palermo or San Remo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palermo than San Remo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Palermo is very popular for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and big city activities, while San Remo attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Palermo is famous for its mild climate, beautiful architecture, fun atmosphere, and fascinating culture. It is also well known for The Cathedral. San Remo is famous for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

How is Palermo different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Palermo or San Remo?

Palermo is a popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Palermo. There are a number of grand buildings and impressive architectural buildings that you should visit. The cathedral, the Norman Palace, and Cappella Palatina are among the best.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palermo and San Remo offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

Dining out in Palermo is an experience not to be missed. The islands long history and occupation by a range of different groups means that the cuisine is heavily influenced by many different cultures. You'll see influences from Phonecians, Greeks, Arabs and Normans. Local dishes include Pasta alla Norma (pasta and vegetables), Arancine (rice balls), and Cannoli.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in San Remo. 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 Palermo or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Palermo is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Palermo has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is surprisingly varied with everything from wine bars by the ocean to dance parties that flood into the street. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include the old town, Politeama, and Mondello.

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 Palermo or San Remo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Palermo has a few good snorkeling spots. The dive season lasts most of the year and there are many beautiful dive spots that are accessible from the city. The water is clear and there is a variety of flora and fauna to see.

San Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palermo or San Remo Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Palermo attract visitors from all over. The city has a number of beautiful beaches, some of which are accessible by public transit. Mondello is a popular option with beautiful views. Capo Gallo is a relaxing option on a nature reserve that is good for divers and nature lovers. Addaura is a lively beach with a number of clubs.

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 Palermo or San Remo Better for its Old Town?

San Remo is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Palermo does not have a historic old town.

San Remo is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Palermo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Palermo or San Remo?

Palermo 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 Palermo. The city offers a mix of high end shopping streets as well as colorful markets that have the feel of a traditional bazaar. Whether you're looking for European brands or local merchandise, this city has an eclectic mix with something for everyone.

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 Palermo or San Remo Better for Families?

Both Palermo and San Remo are excellent to visit with kids.

Palermo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has beaches where everyone can cool off and play in the relaxing waves. There's also a botanical garden and the fascinating Catacombs of the Capuchins. Kids will also enjoy exploring the many diverse markets throughout the city.

San Remo is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Is Palermo or San Remo Better for Couples?

San Remo is a well-known place for couples. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

San Remo is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Palermo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with fun adventures, unique markets, and relaxing beaches. It makes a great city escape for couples who enjoy spending time outdoors but also having access to an urban setting.

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Palermo. There are a decent number of affordable hostels around town as well as plenty of backpackers that keep the scene fun and social.

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 Palermo or San Remo Better for Students?

Palermo is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Palermo. It's an affordable student destination with a relaxing and laid back vibe. There's enough activity to keep it interesting without a high pressure setting.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

San Remo is a coastal city with good options for its public transit. However, Palermo is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

San Remo has a few public transit options. There are local buses around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Palermo. If you stick to the main city center then you can get around by city bus, but if you're headed anywhere else, you'll likely want to take a taxi or Uber.

Is Palermo or San Remo a more walkable city?

Palermo and San Remo both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Palermo is a very walkable destination. The city is walkable with a number of streets closed to cars and pedestrian only.

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 Palermo Worth Visiting? and Is San Remo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Palermo?

How long in Palermo or San Remo?

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

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

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

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

One day in Palermo or San Remo?

The city of Palermo offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In San Remo, you'll find shopping and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Palermo or San Remo?

Palermo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Palermo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In San Remo, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Remo has to offer.

Five days in Palermo or San Remo?

Palermo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

San Remo is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Palermo or San Remo?

Palermo is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Remo. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting San Remo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Palermo or San Remo?

Palermo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of Palermo 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 Palermo 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 Palermo or San Remo in the Summer?

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

Palermo is around the same temperature as San Remo in the summer. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and San Remo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In San Remo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Palermo. In the summer, Palermo often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Palermo gets 347 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets less rain in July than San Remo. Palermo gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palermo or San Remo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palermo and San Remo. Many visitors come to Palermo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, 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 the autumn, Palermo is a little warmer than San Remo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palermo in October average around 20°C (67°F), and San Remo averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Palermo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during autumn. Palermo gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Remo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Palermo usually receives less rain than San Remo. Palermo gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Palermo or San Remo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Palermo as well as San Remo. Most visitors come to Palermo for the museums, 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.

In January, Palermo is generally a little warmer than San Remo. Daily temperatures in Palermo average around 12°C (53°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Palermo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo. Palermo gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun.

Palermo usually gets less rain in January than San Remo. Palermo gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palermo or San Remo in the Spring?

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

Palermo is a little warmer than San Remo in the spring. The daily temperature in Palermo averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and San Remo fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palermo. Palermo usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during spring. Palermo gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palermo usually receives less rain than San Remo. Palermo gets 37 mm (1.5 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 Palermo