A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Sestri Levante vs. Bellagio for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sestri Levante or Bellagio?

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 Bellagio 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 relaxing, quiet, and scenic seaside town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Bellagio

Bellagio is a impressive, glamorous, and opulent town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food and shopping.

Sestri Levante and Bellagio: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Sestri Levante or Bellagio?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bellagio. Although Sestri Levante and Bellagio are both popular with visitors, Bellagio has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Bellagio is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Sestri Levante is known for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Bellagio is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is popular for its luxurious villas, stunning views, and charming boutique lined streets. It is also home to Salita Serbelloni. Sestri Levante is popular for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Sestri Levante different from Bellagio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

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

While most people don't head to Bellagio specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The town's atmosphere and views are what attract the tourists, but if you're looking for historical sights, check out the Basilica of San Giacomo.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Sestri Levante and Bellagio.

Sestri Levante has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bellagio makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find many fine dining restaurants that offer a luxurious atmosphere and well crafted dishes. There are also Michelin starred restaurants in town which offer a unique, world-class experience.

Is Sestri Levante or Bellagio Better for Nightlife?

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

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

Bellagio doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The town is filled with opulence and luxury, and the nightlife is no exception. Sip cocktails and fine wine while you listen to music or take in the atmosphere.

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 Bellagio Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

Sestri Levante is a seaside town with good options for its resorts. However, Bellagio is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Sestri Levante makes a nice vacation spot. 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.

Bellagio is not a resort destination.


Is Sestri Levante or Bellagio Better for Beaches?

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

Sestri Levante is a seaside town with good options for the beache. However, Bellagio is not a beach destination.

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.

Bellagio is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sestri Levante or Bellagio?

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

Bellagio is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bellagio has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find traditional shops mixed in with modern stores. There are high end brands and more local specialty markets that are fun to peruse.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Bellagio Better for Families?

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

Both Sestri Levante and Bellagio are good to visit with kids.

Sestri Levante offers lots of family activities. 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.

Bellagio is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has a playground, a small train, and a Museum of Navigational Instruments that kids may enjoy. There's also a beach where everyone can take a swim.


Is Sestri Levante or Bellagio Better for Couples?

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

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

Bellagio is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The town is a favorite on Lake Como, and couples will appreciate its charming atmosphere and beautiful lake front setting. In a few hours you can soak up the character and magic or this beautiful area.

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

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

Sestri Levante and Bellagio both offer good 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.

Bellagio has a few public transit options. There are buses and ferries to town, or you can take a taxi.

Is Sestri Levante or Bellagio a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante
Bellagio

Sestri Levante and Bellagio are world-class when it comes to 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.

It is easy to get around Bellagio on foot. The town is small and compact with many pedestrian streets that are best explored on foot.


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

Should I spend more time in Bellagio or Sestri Levante?

How long in Sestri Levante or Bellagio?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sestri Levante or Bellagio to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sestri Levante than Bellagio because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Sestri Levante, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bellagio.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Sestri Levante or Bellagio? Ideal Length of Stay
    Sestri Levante 1-3 
    Bellagio 1-2

One day in Sestri Levante or Bellagio?

Sestri Levante is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Bellagio, you'll find shopping and food. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Sestri Levante or Bellagio?

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

Bellagio is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Bellagio?

Sestri Levante 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bellagio. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Sestri Levante or Bellagio?

Sestri Levante 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 seaside town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the town of Bellagio. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Bellagio or Sestri Levante?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sestri Levante is €143, while the average daily cost in Bellagio is €222. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sestri Levante and Bellagio in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sestri Levante 75
    Bellagio 166
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sestri Levante 150
    Bellagio 332
Compare Hotels in Sestri Levante and Bellagio

Looking for a hotel in Sestri Levante or Bellagio? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Sestri Levante


Hotels in Bellagio


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sestri Levante Hotel Prices and Bellagio Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sestri Levante 56
    Bellagio 9.02

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bellagio

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bellagio:

  • From Bellagio : Private 1-Way Transfer to Malpensa airport: $381
  • From Milan center : Private 1-Way Transfer to Bellagio: $350

Is it cheaper to fly into Sestri Levante or Bellagio?

Prices for flights to both Bellagio and Sestri Levante change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sestri Levante 34
    Bellagio 46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bellagio

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bellagio.

  • Como Lake: cooking class Italian style in Bellagio: $191
  • Bellagio Food Tour + Villa Melzi: $208
  • Cooking Class with Lunch with the chef: $532

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sestri Levante 25
    Bellagio -

Tours and Activities in Sestri Levante

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sestri Levante.

  • Punta Manara Hiking Tour: $501

Tours and Activities in Bellagio

Here are a few actual costs in Bellagio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bellagio Walking Tour + Lunch + Villa Balbianello: $314
  • Lake Como Sunset Boat Tour with Prosecco: $117
  • Vintage Wooden Boat Rowing Experience on Lake Como: $186
  • Exclusive Lake Como Boat Tour From Bellagio: $426
  • From Milan: Bellagio & Lake Como Small Group Tour: $89
  • From Milan: Como & Bellagio Guided Tour & Lake Como Cruise: $105
  • Lake Como: Golden Hour Guided Kayak Tour: $123
  • Lake Como: Private SpeedBoat Tour and Break in Bellagio: $1,268
  • Lake Como: Small-Group Kayak Tour: $93
  • Lake Como: Villa Carlotta Entry Tickets with Ferries: $78
  • Lake Como: Villa Melzi Garden Entry Ticket with Ferries: $70
  • Shared Boat Tour from Bellagio: $43

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sestri Levante 7.86
    Bellagio 19


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sestri Levante and Bellagio, we can see that Bellagio 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 Bellagio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bellagio 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 Sestri Levante Expensive? and Is Bellagio Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sestri Levante or Bellagio?

Sestri Levante has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bellagio. When comparing the sizes of Sestri Levante and Bellagio, 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.

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