A Travel Price Comparison for Italy San Remo vs. Ravenna for Food, Families, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit San Remo or Ravenna?

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

Should I visit San Remo or Ravenna? 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 historic, relaxing, and beautiful coastal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a off-the-beaten-path, charming, and authentic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

San Remo and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Remo or Ravenna?

Visitors will generally find more to do in San Remo than Ravenna. While Ravenna is larger than San Remo, San Remo has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. San Remo is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Ravenna is known for its museums and small town charm. San Remo is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market. It is also home to The Flower Market. Ravenna is popular for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is San Remo different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ravenna offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both San Remo and Ravenna.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ravenna makes for a great culinary experience. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is San Remo or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in San Remo and Ravenna.

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.

Ravenna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is San Remo or Ravenna Better for Beaches?

San Remo is a very popular place for the beache. However, Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Many people visit San Remo for it's beautiful 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.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is San Remo or Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

San Remo is a very popular place for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Remo or Ravenna?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both San Remo and Ravenna.

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.

Ravenna is a great destination for shopping. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Is San Remo or Ravenna Better for Families?

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

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.

Ravenna is a very family-friendly place to visit. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

Is San Remo or Ravenna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both San Remo and Ravenna make for a superb 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 Ravenna frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Ravenna. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both San Remo and Ravenna.

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

You'll find some public transit in Ravenna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is San Remo or Ravenna a more walkable city?

San Remo and Ravenna are superb 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.

Ravenna is very walkable. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or San Remo?

How long in San Remo or Ravenna?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in San Remo or Ravenna to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in San Remo or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. 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 Ravenna?

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.

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

Five days in San Remo or Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Ravenna?

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.

Ravenna is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Ravenna, we can see that San Remo is more expensive. And not only is Ravenna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ravenna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ravenna 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 Ravenna.

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 Ravenna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Remo or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of San Remo and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

Both Ravenna and San Remo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to San Remo for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, San Remo is generally around the same temperature as Ravenna. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 23°C (73°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, San Remo usually receives less rain than Ravenna. San Remo gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit San Remo or Ravenna in the Autumn?

Both Ravenna and San Remo during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to San Remo because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

San Remo is a little warmer than Ravenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Remo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Remo. San Remo usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. San Remo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Ravenna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Remo and Ravenna. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to San Remo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ravenna. In the winter, San Remo is much warmer than Ravenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Remo in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Ravenna averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In January, San Remo usually receives more rain than Ravenna. San Remo gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit San Remo or Ravenna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Remo as well as Ravenna. Many travelers come to San Remo for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Ravenna in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, San Remo is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 13°C (56°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

San Remo usually gets more rain in April than Ravenna. San Remo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and San Remo