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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Ravenna?

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 Ravenna. 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 authentic, historic, and park-filled city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a authentic, historic, and off-the-beaten-path town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Ravenna than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Ravenna, Ravenna has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Ravenna is better known for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Ravenna is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires. Also, Ravenna is famous for Basilica di San Vitale. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ravenna 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 Ravenna. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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 Ravenna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Ravenna has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

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 Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Ravenna. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is Saint-Etienne or Ravenna Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Ravenna is not a hiking destination.

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

Ravenna is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Ravenna?

Ravenna 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 Ravenna. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

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 Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Ravenna is very family-friendly. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

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.

Is Saint-Etienne or Ravenna Better for Couples?

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

Ravenna is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

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 Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

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

Saint-Etienne and Ravenna 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.

Ravenna has a few public transit options. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is Saint-Etienne or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Ravenna 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.

Ravenna is a very walkable town. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored 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 Ravenna Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or Ravenna?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saint-Etienne or Ravenna?

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.

Even though Ravenna is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna. 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 Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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 Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

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 Ravenna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Ravenna?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Ravenna. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Ravenna. The summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Ravenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Ravenna. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Ravenna. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Ravenna for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Ravenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Ravenna averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Ravenna and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ravenna can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Ravenna and Saint-Etienne during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Ravenna for the small town charm during these months.

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

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Ravenna. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Saint-Etienne