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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Urbino?

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 Urbino. 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.

Urbino

Urbino is a historic, undiscovered, and authentic town. 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 Urbino: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Urbino. Although Saint-Etienne and Urbino are both popular with visitors, Urbino has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Urbino is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is known for its hiking. Urbino is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere. It is also home to Palazzo Ducale di Urbino. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Urbino. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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

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

Urbino has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

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 Urbino Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

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

Urbino is a good destination for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Urbino. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Urbino Better for Hiking?

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

Urbino is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Urbino?

Urbino 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 Urbino. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

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 Urbino Better for Families?

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Saint-Etienne or Urbino Better for Couples?

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

Urbino is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

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 Urbino Better for Students?

Urbino is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

Many students visit Urbino. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Saint-Etienne or Urbino a more walkable city?

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

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

Urbino is a somewhat walkable city. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or Urbino?

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

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

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

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

One day in Saint-Etienne or Urbino?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

Saint-Etienne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back destination of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the historic destination of Saint-Etienne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful town of Urbino. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Urbino?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

Both Urbino 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 Urbino because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Urbino. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Urbino 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 shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Urbino. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Saint-Etienne usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Urbino. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Urbino. It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Urbino in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Urbino. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Urbino. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Urbino in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Urbino. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Urbino averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Urbino. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Saint-Etienne