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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Milan?

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 Milan. 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 undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Milan

Milan is a trendy, chic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Saint-Etienne and Milan: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Milan than Saint-Etienne, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Milan is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking. Milan is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also home to Piazza del Duomo. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Milan is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Milan. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. 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.

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

Milan 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 Milan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

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 Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Milan has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

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 Milan Better for Music?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Milan. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Saint-Etienne is not a live music destination.

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

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Milan offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Milan Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for hiking. However, Milan is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Milan is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Milan?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Milan draws large crowds to its stores. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

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 Milan Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Milan 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.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Milan Better for Couples?

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

Milan is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

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 Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Milan. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

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 Milan Better for Students?

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

Milan is a very popular place to visit for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Milan is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Milan is top-notch. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Milan a more walkable city?

Milan is an amazing city to visit 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.

Milan is a very easy city to get around on foot. In particular, the city center is 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 Milan Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or Milan?

In either Saint-Etienne or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Saint-Etienne because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint-Etienne, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

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

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

One day in Saint-Etienne or Milan?

In Saint-Etienne, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Milan is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milan. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Milan?

Saint-Etienne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Milan is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Milan?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Saint-Etienne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Milan. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Milan, 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 Milan?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Milan in the Summer?

Both Milan and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Milan because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Milan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Milan averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Milan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Milan during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Milan. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Milan and Saint-Etienne during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Milan. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Milan. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.

Milan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in October than Milan. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Milan. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Milan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Milan. It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. Saint-Etienne is cooler than Milan in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Milan during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Milan. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Milan. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Milan in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Milan. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in April than Milan. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Milan and Saint-Etienne