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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Imperia?

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

Imperia

Imperia is a charming, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint-Etienne. Although Saint-Etienne and Imperia are both popular with visitors, Saint-Etienne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking, while Imperia is known for its food and shopping. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past. It is also home to The Museum of Art and Industry. Imperia is popular for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

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

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 Imperia. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.


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

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

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

Imperia has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

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 Imperia Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

The vibe at night is good in both Saint-Etienne and Imperia.

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 Imperia. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Is Saint-Etienne or Imperia Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Imperia is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Imperia is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Imperia?

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

Imperia 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 Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing 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 Imperia Better for Families?

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

Both Saint-Etienne and Imperia 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.

Imperia is a family-friendly place to visit. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Imperia Better for Couples?

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

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

Imperia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

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 Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Imperia. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

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 Imperia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

Saint-Etienne and Imperia 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.

Imperia has a few public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Saint-Etienne or Imperia a more walkable city?

Saint-Etienne
Imperia

Saint-Etienne and Imperia are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Imperia is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.


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

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or Imperia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne or Imperia to fill your time. In our opinion, Imperia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Imperia than Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Saint-Etienne or Imperia? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint-Etienne 1-2 
    Imperia 1-2

One day in Saint-Etienne or Imperia?

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 undiscovered destination of Imperia. 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia. 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 Imperia?

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 authentic destination of Imperia. This town 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 Imperia?

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 town of Imperia. 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 Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Imperia or Saint-Etienne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint-Etienne is €108, while the average daily cost in Imperia is €108. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint-Etienne and Imperia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint-Etienne 46
    Imperia 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint-Etienne 92
    Imperia 102
Compare Hotels in Saint-Etienne and Imperia

Looking for a hotel in Saint-Etienne or Imperia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Saint-Etienne


Hotels in Imperia


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Imperia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint-Etienne 44
    Imperia 36

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint-Etienne or Imperia?

Prices for flights to both Imperia and Saint-Etienne change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint-Etienne 34
    Imperia 35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint-Etienne 25
    Imperia 13

Tours and Activities in Imperia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Imperia are as follows:

  • Imperia - Old Town Private Historic Walking Tour: $428

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint-Etienne 10
    Imperia 7.50


When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Imperia, we can see that Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Imperia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Imperia?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia in the Summer?

Both Imperia and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Imperia for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Imperia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

In Imperia, 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 Imperia. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Imperia. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint-Etienne 22°C (71°F) 
    Imperia 25°C (76°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Imperia. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Imperia in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Imperia. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint-Etienne 14°C (56°F) 
    Imperia 19°C (66°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Imperia. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Imperia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. Saint-Etienne is much colder than Imperia in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Imperia. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint-Etienne 4°C (39°F) 
    Imperia 11°C (51°F)

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

Both Imperia and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Imperia because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Imperia averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Imperia. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint-Etienne 11°C (53°F) 
    Imperia 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Imperia and Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne Imperia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (58°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 21°C (71°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in) 22°C (72°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)