A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint-Etienne vs. Bergamo for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Bergamo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Bergamo

Bergamo is a beautiful, under-rated, and historical city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Bergamo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bergamo than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Bergamo, Bergamo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bergamo is better known for its food, historical sights, and shopping, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking. Bergamo is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its historical buildings and beautiful squares. Also, Bergamo is famous for Piazza Vecchia. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Bergamo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergamo and Saint-Etienne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Saint-Etienne and Bergamo.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergamo. There are historical buildings as well as fascinating museums that are worth checking out. Highlights include the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Colleoni Chapel, the Accademia Carrara, and the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro.

Is the Food Better in Saint-Etienne or Bergamo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bergamo is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bergamo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find traditional restaurants around town that serve the local specialties, many of which have their roots in peasant dishes. The flavors are humble but high quality and the food is fresh and masterfully prepared.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bergamo Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Saint-Etienne and Bergamo.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bergamo. Despite not being high on the itinerary of many travelers, the city has a great nightlife scene that includes many local bars and clubs. You can enjoy a local brew or sip some Italian wine while you enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bergamo Better for its Old Town?

Bergamo is a good destination for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bergamo. Since the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has become more popular with visitors. Still, you can enjoy the authentic and less touristy vibe of this beautiful city.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bergamo Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Bergamo is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne has hiking trails worth exploring. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Bergamo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

Bergamo is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bergamo. There are a number of shopping areas around town including shopping malls and shopping streets. You'll find most of the major brands as well as some interesting boutique shops.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bergamo Better for Families?

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Bergamo is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly place to visit. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Bergamo is not always a place people visit with their families. It's a beautiful city that is filled with history, and for kids there are pedestrian streets to explore and great Italian food. There's also the Museo di Scienze Naturali, which is worth checking out.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bergamo Better for Couples?

Bergamo is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Bergamo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the beautiful architecture and impressive squares. There are also great restaurants and pedestrian streets that are fun to wander through.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bergamo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bergamo is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bergamo. While it's not the most popular backpacker city in Italy, it does have a couple of hostels and guesthouses that offer affordable rates and a young vibe.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bergamo Better for Students?

Bergamo is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Bergamo. The university attracts international students and the city makes a great base for learning and exploring.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bergamo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne and Bergamo both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Bergamo has a few public transit options. There are buses around town as well as two funiculars, one connecting Città Bassa with the Città Alta and the other connecting Città Alta to San Vigilio.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bergamo a more walkable city?

Bergamo is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Bergamo is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Bergamo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergamo or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint-Etienne and Bergamo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bergamo than in Saint-Etienne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bergamo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bergamo than Saint-Etienne 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 Bergamo.

One day in Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Bergamo. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint-Etienne has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergamo. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical destination of Bergamo. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Bergamo. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Bergamo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Bergamo. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Bergamo, 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 Saint-Etienne or Bergamo?

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 Saint-Etienne or Bergamo in the Summer?

Both Bergamo and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bergamo for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Bergamo in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Bergamo fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Bergamo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bergamo. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 286 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bergamo. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Bergamo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Bergamo. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bergamo because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Bergamo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Bergamo averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Bergamo during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bergamo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Bergamo. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Bergamo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Bergamo. The winter months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bergamo this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bergamo in the winter. The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally much warmer than Bergamo. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Bergamo fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Bergamo. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 98 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Bergamo. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Bergamo in the Spring?

Both Bergamo and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergamo for the natural beauty.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Bergamo in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Bergamo fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bergamo during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Bergamo. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergamo and Saint-Etienne