A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Sestri Levante vs. Bari for Food, Families, Backpackers, and Beaches

Should you visit Sestri Levante or Bari?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sestri Levante and Bari can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a quiet, scenic, and local 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. It's also popular because of the food and beaches.

Bari

Bari is a cultural, authentic, and local port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Sestri Levante and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sestri Levante or Bari?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bari. Although Sestri Levante and Bari are popular destinations, Bari has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bari is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Sestri Levante is more touristy than Bari and is known for its two bays and coastal setting. Bari is famous for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. It is also well known for San Nicola.

How is Sestri Levante different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bari is great for its historical sights. However, Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bari. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Many restaurants in Bari have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sestri Levante makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Sestri Levante or Bari Better for Nightlife?

Bari is great for its evening party scene. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Bari for the nightlife scene. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

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 Sestri Levante or Bari Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Bari is not a resort destination.

Sestri Levante has a few great resort options. 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.

Bari is not a resort destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Bari Better for Beaches?

Both Sestri Levante and Bari are considered to be nice beach destinations.

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.

Bari offers a nice beach destination. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Is Sestri Levante or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari is great for its historic old town charm. However, Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Bari is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sestri Levante or Bari?

Bari is a port city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bari has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Bari Better for Families?

Bari is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bari. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

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 Sestri Levante or Bari Better for Couples?

Both Sestri Levante and Bari are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Sestri Levante is a good seaside town for couples to visit. 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.

Bari is a nice destination for couples. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

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

Bari is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bari. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

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 Sestri Levante or Bari Better for Students?

Bari is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Bari. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

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

Sestri Levante and Bari both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Sestri Levante offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Bari has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Sestri Levante or Bari a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

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.

Bari is very walkable. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Sestri Levante?

How long in Sestri Levante or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sestri Levante and Bari. In our opinion, Bari has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bari than Sestri Levante. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Sestri Levante or Bari?

Sestri Levante is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Bari, you'll find museums and nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Sestri Levante or Bari?

Sestri Levante is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bari is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Sestri Levante or Bari?

Sestri Levante is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This seaside town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bari. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sestri Levante or Bari?

Because Sestri Levante is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the port city of Bari. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sestri Levante or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Sestri Levante and Bari, 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.