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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante?

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 Sestri Levante. 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.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a quiet, scenic, and local seaside town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food and beaches.

Saint-Etienne and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint-Etienne. Although Saint-Etienne and Sestri Levante are both popular with visitors, Saint-Etienne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint-Etienne is more popular for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Sestri Levante is known for its food, resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Sestri Levante is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its two bays and coastal setting. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past. It is also home to The Museum of Art and Industry.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Sestri Levante has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find many restaurants along the central road in the old town, Via XXV Aprile. Seafood is popular, as are many other Italian favorites. If you're visiting during the summer months then it's best to make reservations as wait times can be long.

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 Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

People don't go to Sestri Levante for the nightlife. There are a few places to grab a drink, but if you're looking for nightlife, you'll really need to head out of town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Saint-Etienne is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Sestri Levante makes a nice vacation spot. There are a number of hotels in the old town or by the beach. You'll also find a decent selection of vacation rentals. During peak season you'll want to make your reservations early.

Saint-Etienne is not a resort destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Sestri Levante is a good destination for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Sestri Levante offers a nice beach destination. Home to two beaches, this makes a nice holiday spot if you're hoping to relax by the water. The beaches can get crowded with Italians during the summer months, but it still offers a charming seaside spot. Many people head to the beach by the the Bay of Silence in part because it's free. Make sure you arrive early. By the Bay of Fairytales you can rent chairs and umbrellas and enjoy a little more space.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for hiking. However, Sestri Levante 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.

Sestri Levante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante?

Saint-Etienne is adequate for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Sestri Levante 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.

Sestri Levante is a family-friendly place to visit. This is a great spot for families that want a relaxing holiday with a small town vibe. The picturesque setting is said to have inspired fairytales, and today kids will enjoy playing on the playgrounds or exploring at the adventure park. There are also hikes, activities, and restaurants that are great for kids and adults alike.

Is Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

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

Sestri Levante makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This scenic setting offers a relaxing holiday for couples who want to enjoy quiet time together. There are plenty of outdoor activities and a cultural town with a lot of beauty to explore. It's one of the lesser known destinations in the area, so you will have a peaceful small town vibe that's great for a romantic 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 Sestri Levante Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint-Etienne and Sestri Levante 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.

Sestri Levante has a few public transit options. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Is Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is an amazing seaside town 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.

Sestri Levante is a very easy seaside town to get around on foot. There are pedestrian promenades and charming streets through town that are best 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 Sestri Levante Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint-Etienne and Sestri Levante. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante.

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

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

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

One day in Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Even though Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante?

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sestri Levante. 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 Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Sestri Levante is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This seaside 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 Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the city of Saint-Etienne. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

Sestri Levante 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Sestri Levante?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Sestri Levante, 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.