A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Sestri Levante for Resorts, Couples, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Santorini or Sestri Levante?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Sestri Levante, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Santorini

Santorini is a romantic, stunning, and historic island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a quaint, relaxing, and quiet seaside town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food and beaches.

Santorini and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Sestri Levante?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Santorini. Although Santorini and Sestri Levante are both popular with visitors, Santorini has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Santorini is more popular for its museums, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Sestri Levante is known for its food and small town charm. Santorini is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is known for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. It is also home to The Caldera and Volcano of Santorini. Sestri Levante is popular for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Santorini different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santorini or Sestri Levante?

Santorini is a island with good options for its historical sights. However, Sestri Levante 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 Santorini. One of the most impressive historical sights is Akrotiri Archaeological Site. The island has many archeological sites as well as the Archeological Museum in Fira.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Santorini or Sestri Levante? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sestri Levante is a great seaside town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Sestri Levante has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find many restaurants along the central road in the old town, Via XXV Aprile. Seafood is popular, as are many other Italian favorites. If you're visiting during the summer months then it's best to make reservations as wait times can be long.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Santorini area. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Santorini is a island with good options for its evening party scene. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Santorini has a few options to choose from. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.

People don't go to Sestri Levante for the nightlife. There are a few places to grab a drink, but if you're looking for nightlife, you'll really need to head out of town.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Santorini is renowned for its luxury resorts. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its resorts.

Santorini is a world class resort vacation destination. The resorts range from all-inclusive options to resorts with a more local feel. The island is one of the most romantic of the Greek Islands, and the resorts are no exception.

Sestri Levante has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a number of hotels in the old town or by the beach. You'll also find a decent selection of vacation rentals. During peak season you'll want to make your reservations early.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a island with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sestri Levante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Santorini. Some of the best snorkeling places are found at Red Beach, White Beach, and the less accessible Kambia. One of the island's best diving spots is Caldera Beach.

Sestri Levante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Both Santorini and Sestri Levante have good beaches worth visiting.

Santorini has a beach worth visiting. The island has many beaches, most of which are made of black pebbly sand that are a result of the island's volcanic history. Popular beaches include Perissa Beach, Kamari Beach, and Perivolos Beach.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sestri Levante. Home to two beaches, this makes a nice holiday spot if you're hoping to relax by the water. The beaches can get crowded with Italians during the summer months, but it still offers a charming seaside spot. Many people head to the beach by the the Bay of Silence in part because it's free. Make sure you arrive early. By the Bay of Fairytales you can rent chairs and umbrellas and enjoy a little more space.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante Better for Hiking?

Santorini is a island with good options for hiking. However, Sestri Levante is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Santorini. The best hiking trails on the island pass by quaint villages and offers stunning ocean views. You can also hike along the edge of a volcano.

Sestri Levante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santorini or Sestri Levante?

Santorini is great for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santorini. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Santorini and Sestri Levante are both good destinations for the whole family.

Santorini offers lots of family activities. It is a calmer destination than many of the Greek Islands. While it's a great place to relax with kids, the beaches aren't as good as they are on some of the other islands. Most families hang out in Kamari and Perissa Beach.

Sestri Levante is a family-friendly place to visit. This is a great spot for families that want a relaxing holiday with a small town vibe. The picturesque setting is said to have inspired fairytales, and today kids will enjoy playing on the playgrounds or exploring at the adventure park. There are also hikes, activities, and restaurants that are great for kids and adults alike.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

Santorini is renowned for couples. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for romance.

Santorini is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It is a dream honeymoon destination that is famous for its picturesque setting and luxury resorts. For many couples, this is a top pick for a romantic trip to the Greek Isles.

Sestri Levante is a nice destination for couples. This scenic setting offers a relaxing holiday for couples who want to enjoy quiet time together. There are plenty of outdoor activities and a cultural town with a lot of beauty to explore. It's one of the lesser known destinations in the area, so you will have a peaceful small town vibe that's great for a romantic getaway.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini is a island with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for backpackers.

Santorini is a good island to visit for backpackers. The island has its share of 5 star resorts, but if you head a few streets in you'll find some surprisingly affordable accommodation. Backpackers are welcomed on the island and beaches are free, so it's possible to get by on a relatively low budget.

Sestri Levante is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are some dorm rooms in town, but most backpackers head to one of the more well known destinations in the area. The atmosphere and history makes for a unique experience for those who do make the trip.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santorini and Sestri Levante both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Santorini offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system, KTEL Santorini Buses, that runs 23 buses during the summer months but only a small fraction of that operate during the winter months.

Sestri Levante has a few public transit options. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Is Santorini or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its ease of walking around.

Sestri Levante is a very easy seaside town to get around on foot. There are pedestrian promenades and charming streets through town that are best explored on foot.

Santorini is a somewhat walkable island. Many towns on the island are walkable, including Fira, but the actual island is too large to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Santorini Worth Visiting? and Is Sestri Levante Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Sestri Levante?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santorini and Sestri Levante. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than in Sestri Levante. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 1-3 days is enough time in Sestri Levante.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santorini than Sestri Levante 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 Santorini.

One day in Santorini or Sestri Levante?

In Santorini, you'll find nightlife and food. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Sestri Levante is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sestri Levante has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Sestri Levante?

Santorini is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Sestri Levante is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this seaside town has to offer. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Santorini or Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. It's also a relaxing resort destination. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Sestri Levante is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Santorini or Sestri Levante?

In Santorini, you'll find shopping and museums. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Sestri Levante is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is Sestri Levante Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Sestri Levante?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Sestri Levante, 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.