A Travel Price Comparison for Italy San Remo vs. Bologna for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit San Remo or Bologna?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit San Remo or Bologna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

San Remo

San Remo is a beautiful, scenic, and authentic coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bologna

Bologna is a culinary, beautiful, and fun city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

San Remo and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Remo or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bologna than San Remo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bologna is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while San Remo attracts visitors for its beaches. San Remo is famous for its olives, lemons, and flower market. Bologna is famous for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also well known for Piazza Maggiore.

How is San Remo different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna and San Remo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Remo or Bologna?

Bologna is a popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo 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 Bologna. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in San Remo or Bologna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bologna is terrific for its restaurants. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, San Remo makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is San Remo or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Bologna has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is San Remo or Bologna Better for Beaches?

San Remo is a well-known place for the beach. However, Bologna is not a beach destination.

San Remo is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Bologna is not a beach destination.

Is San Remo or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the great old towns in both San Remo and Bologna.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Is the Shopping Better in San Remo or Bologna?

Bologna is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

San Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is San Remo or Bologna Better for Families?

San Remo is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

San Remo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Bologna is a family-friendly coastal city. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is San Remo or Bologna Better for Couples?

San Remo is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

San Remo is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is San Remo or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is San Remo or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

San Remo is not popular with students.

Is San Remo or Bologna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both San Remo and Bologna.

San Remo has some public transit options. There are local buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Bologna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is San Remo or Bologna a more walkable city?

San Remo and Bologna are great when it comes to walkability.

San Remo is a very walkable destination. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

Bologna is very walkable. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is San Remo Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or San Remo?

How long in San Remo or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Remo and Bologna. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bologna than in San Remo. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for San Remo, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.

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

Couples should spend more time in San Remo than Bologna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Remo that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna than San Remo 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 Bologna.

One day in San Remo or Bologna?

In San Remo, you'll find shopping and nightlife. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful city of Bologna offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in San Remo or Bologna?

In San Remo, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Remo has to offer.

Bologna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bologna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in San Remo or Bologna?

San Remo is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Bologna is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in San Remo or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Remo. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting San Remo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Bologna is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between San Remo and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 San Remo Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Remo or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of San Remo and Bologna, 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 San Remo or Bologna?

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 San Remo or Bologna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Remo as well as Bologna. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Remo this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.

San Remo is around the same temperature as Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in San Remo averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bologna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Remo this time of the year. In the summer, San Remo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. San Remo gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets less rain in July than Bologna. San Remo gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Bologna in the Autumn?

Both Bologna and San Remo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, San Remo is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Remo in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

San Remo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during autumn. San Remo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bologna. It's quite rainy in San Remo. In October, San Remo usually receives less rain than Bologna. San Remo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Remo or Bologna in the Winter?

Both Bologna and San Remo during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to San Remo in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bologna can be very cold during winter. In January, San Remo is generally much warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 9°C (48°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, San Remo often gets more sunshine than Bologna. San Remo gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets more rain in January than Bologna. San Remo gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Remo and Bologna. Most visitors come to San Remo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.

San Remo is around the same temperature as Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in San Remo averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

San Remo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during spring. San Remo gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Remo usually receives less rain than Bologna. San Remo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and San Remo