A Travel Price Comparison for Italy San Remo vs. Pompeii for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit San Remo or Pompeii?

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

Should I visit San Remo or Pompeii? 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. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a famous, iconic, and one-of-a-kind archeological site. It's also popular because of the museums.

San Remo and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Remo or Pompeii?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pompeii. Although San Remo and Pompeii are popular destinations, Pompeii has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pompeii is very popular for its museums, while San Remo attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pompeii is more touristy than San Remo and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is also well known for the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. San Remo is famous for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is San Remo different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii is terrific for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Pompeii has many famous sights for visitors. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

San Remo is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

San Remo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is San Remo or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

San Remo is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in San Remo. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is San Remo or Pompeii Better for Beaches?

San Remo is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Is San Remo or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

San Remo is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Remo or Pompeii?

San Remo is very good for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

San Remo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is San Remo or Pompeii Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either San Remo or Pompeii.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in San Remo. 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.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Is San Remo or Pompeii Better for Couples?

San Remo is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

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 Pompeii Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Pompeii. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

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

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

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is San Remo or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Pompeii. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or San Remo?

How long in San Remo or Pompeii?

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

Families should spend more time in San Remo than Pompeii. 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 Pompeii. 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 Pompeii 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 Pompeii.

One day in San Remo or Pompeii?

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 archeological site of Pompeii offers museums. 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 Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this archeological site makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pompeii, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in San Remo or Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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 Pompeii?

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.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This archeological site 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 Pompeii, we can see that San Remo 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 Pompeii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit San Remo or Pompeii?

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 San Remo or Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and San Remo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Remo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Pompeii. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Remo. San Remo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii during summer. San Remo gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, San Remo usually receives less rain than Pompeii. San Remo gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Remo or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and San Remo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, San Remo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. San Remo gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Remo. San Remo usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. San Remo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Remo and Pompeii. Many visitors come to San Remo in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pompeii for the museums during these months.

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

San Remo usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during winter. San Remo gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, San Remo usually receives less rain than Pompeii. San Remo gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Remo or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Remo as well as Pompeii. Most visitors come to San Remo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

In the spring, San Remo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. San Remo gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. San Remo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and San Remo