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

Should you visit San Remo or Naples?

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

Should I visit San Remo or Naples? 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 scenic, authentic, and historic coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Naples

Naples is a gritty, colorful, and fascinating city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

San Remo and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Remo or Naples?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Naples than San Remo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Naples is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while San Remo attracts visitors for its beaches and impressive beauty. San Remo is famous for its olives, lemons, and flower market. Naples is famous for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also well known for Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is San Remo different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Naples is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

Naples offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

For foodies, Naples is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

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 Naples Better for Nightlife?

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

Naples has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

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 Naples Better for Beaches?

San Remo is well known for the beach. However, Naples is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in San Remo. 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.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is San Remo or Naples Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the very good old towns in both San Remo and Naples.

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 Naples. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Is the Shopping Better in San Remo or Naples?

Naples 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 Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

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 Naples Better for Families?

San Remo is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is San Remo or Naples Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both San Remo and Naples make for a very good place to visit.

San Remo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Naples frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

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

Naples 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 Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

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 Naples Better for Students?

Naples is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

Naples is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Naples offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

You'll find some public transit in San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.

Is San Remo or Naples a more walkable city?

San Remo and Naples are very good 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.

Naples is very walkable. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or San Remo?

How long in San Remo or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both San Remo and Naples. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Naples 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 Naples.

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

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

One day in San Remo or Naples?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Remo. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Naples is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Naples?

San Remo 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.

Naples 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 Naples, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in San Remo or Naples?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Remo. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Naples 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 Naples?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of San Remo. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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 Naples Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Remo or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of San Remo and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

Both Naples and San Remo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Remo for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

San Remo is around the same temperature as Naples in the summer. The daily temperature in San Remo averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Naples fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

In Naples, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Remo. In the summer, San Remo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Naples. San Remo gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets less rain in July than Naples. San Remo gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Remo and Naples. Many visitors come to San Remo in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

San Remo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Naples during autumn. San Remo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Naples receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Remo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Remo usually receives less rain than Naples. San Remo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Remo or Naples in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Remo as well as Naples. Most visitors come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Naples because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, San Remo is generally around the same temperature as Naples. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 9°C (48°F), and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, San Remo often gets more sunshine than Naples. San Remo gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. San Remo usually gets less rain in January than Naples. San Remo gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and San Remo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to San Remo because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

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

San Remo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Naples during spring. San Remo gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Remo usually receives less rain than Naples. San Remo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and San Remo