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

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Ventimiglia?

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 Ventimiglia. 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.

Ventimiglia

Ventimiglia is a classic, authentic, and elegant seaside town. You'll find plenty of local activities in this small town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Ventimiglia: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ventimiglia. Although Saint-Etienne and Ventimiglia are both popular with visitors, Ventimiglia has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Ventimiglia is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is known for its museums, nightlife, and hiking. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past. Ventimiglia is popular for its weekly market, colorful old town, and nice beaches. It is also home to The Friday Market.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Ventimiglia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Ventimiglia 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.

Ventimiglia does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Ventimiglia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Italian classics are abundant including tiramisus, Italian pizzas, risotto alla milanese, and traditional lasagna. If you're in town on a Friday you should visit the local market which has stalls selling local produce and foods.

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 Ventimiglia Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ventimiglia is a seaside town with minimal options for nightlife.

Saint-Etienne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Ventimiglia Most people don't head to town for the nightlife, but there are some bars where you can grab a drink or sip a glass of wine.

Is Saint-Etienne or Ventimiglia Better for Beaches?

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

Ventimiglia offers a nice beach destination. The lungomare is a promenade along the sea that allows visitors to wander and take in waterfront views. Most of the beaches are free to access and have been influenced by the coastal erosion efforts which have led to a series of scalloped bays. If you reach the end of the lungomare you'll find a natural area where the Roya and Nervia rivers meet the ocean. This is also a popular spot for breeding birds.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

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

Ventimiglia is great for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Ventimiglia. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming pastel buildings. There are also a number of historic buildings and monuments that give the town a special atmosphere.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Ventimiglia Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Ventimiglia 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.

Ventimiglia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Ventimiglia?

Ventimiglia is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Ventimiglia is well-known for its shopping. Most people head in town on Friday for the market, which has stalls selling crafts and local products.

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 Ventimiglia Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Ventimiglia 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.

Ventimiglia is a family-friendly place to visit. The charming town is a great place for kids to explore. There is a botanical garden and hiking trails that the whole family can enjoy as well as quiet beaches where they can play. The Italian food is also perfect for young palates.

Is Saint-Etienne or Ventimiglia Better for Couples?

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

Ventimiglia is a great seaside town if you're traveling as a couple. This quintessential Italian town offers a romantic setting with cobblestone streets and pastel buildings. There are many culinary delights and romantic settings that are perfect for couples. The hiking trails and botanical gardens are also fun places to explore.

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

Saint-Etienne and Ventimiglia 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.

Ventimiglia has a few public transit options. There are trains and buses to town. Once you're in town it's easy to explore on foot.

Is Saint-Etienne or Ventimiglia a more walkable city?

Ventimiglia 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.

Ventimiglia is a very walkable seaside town. It's small size and charming atmosphere make it a great town to explore 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 Ventimiglia Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Saint-Etienne or Ventimiglia?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Ventimiglia than Saint-Etienne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ventimiglia 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 Ventimiglia 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 Ventimiglia?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the authentic city of Saint-Etienne. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the park-filled destination of Saint-Etienne. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

The industrial city of Saint-Etienne offers nightlife and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Ventimiglia is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Ventimiglia?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint-Etienne. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ventimiglia is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Ventimiglia?

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

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 Ventimiglia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Ventimiglia. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ventimiglia for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ventimiglia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ventimiglia. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ventimiglia receives 295 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Ventimiglia. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ventimiglia receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Ventimiglia and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Ventimiglia in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Ventimiglia. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Ventimiglia fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ventimiglia. In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Ventimiglia. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ventimiglia receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Ventimiglia and Saint-Etienne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ventimiglia for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. Saint-Etienne is much colder than Ventimiglia in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Ventimiglia fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

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

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Ventimiglia. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ventimiglia receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Ventimiglia. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Ventimiglia because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Ventimiglia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Ventimiglia averages at about 13°C (56°F).

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

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ventimiglia. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ventimiglia receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ventimiglia and Saint-Etienne