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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Bologna?

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 Bologna. 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 park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Bologna

Bologna is a fun, historical, and culinary city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Bologna: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bologna than Saint-Etienne, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bologna is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking. Bologna is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also home to Piazza Maggiore. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna 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 Bologna?

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

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 Bologna. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

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

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Bologna, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

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 Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Bologna for the nightlife scene. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

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

Bologna is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bologna Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Bologna is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Bologna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Bologna?

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

Bologna is well-known for its shopping. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

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 Bologna Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Bologna are good family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. 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.

Bologna is a family-friendly place to visit. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bologna Better for Couples?

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

Bologna makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

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 Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

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 Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Bologna is a very popular place to visit for students. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne and Bologna both offer good 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.

Bologna has a few public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Saint-Etienne or Bologna a more walkable city?

Bologna 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.

Bologna is a very walkable city. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

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 Bologna Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or Bologna?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saint-Etienne or Bologna?

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 culinary destination of Bologna. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Bologna?

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 Bologna. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Bologna?

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 beautiful destination of Bologna. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Bologna?

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 beautiful city of Bologna. 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. 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint-Etienne and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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 Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bologna in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Bologna. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bologna for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Bologna. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Bologna. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Bologna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bologna can be very cold. Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne is much warmer than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Bologna and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Bologna. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Saint-Etienne