A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Sestri Levante vs. La Spezia for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Beaches

Should you visit Sestri Levante or La Spezia?

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 La Spezia 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. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food and beaches.

La Spezia

La Spezia is a lively, convenient, and cultural town. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Sestri Levante and La Spezia: 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 for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers


Is there more to do in Sestri Levante or La Spezia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Spezia. Although Sestri Levante and La Spezia are both popular with visitors, La Spezia has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Spezia is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Sestri Levante is known for its resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. La Spezia is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is known for being the gateway to Cinque Terre. It is also home to The Maritime Museum. Sestri Levante is popular for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Sestri Levante different from La Spezia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

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

While most people don't head to La Spezia specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The highlight of the area is the surrounding natural beauty, but in town you can visit the Maritime Museum, The castle of San Giorgio, and The Amedeo Lia Art Museum.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Sestri Levante and La Spezia.

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, La Spezia makes for a great culinary experience. The town has many local flavors that incorporate seafood and other local ingredients. Focaccia is popular, as is Farinata, which is a chickpea flour pancake. Anchovies and mussels are also common ingredients.

Is Sestri Levante or La Spezia Better for Nightlife?

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

La Spezia is a town 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 La Spezia has a few options to choose from. You'll find more bars and clubs around town than you do in the smaller nearby towns. Some people head into La Spezia for the evening to grab a drink and socialize.

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 La Spezia Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

Sestri Levante is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, La Spezia 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.

La Spezia is not a resort destination.


Is Sestri Levante or La Spezia Better for Beaches?

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

Both Sestri Levante and La Spezia are considered to be good 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.

La Spezia offers a nice beach destination. The beaches in the area tend to be rocky and pebbly. For the best beaches, head out of town to nearby areas.

Is Sestri Levante or La Spezia Better for its Old Town?

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

La Spezia is a town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

La Spezia has an old town worth visiting. The old town runs between the streets of Corso Cavour and Via Prione and is best explored on foot.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sestri Levante or La Spezia?

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

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

La Spezia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a morning market at Piazza del Mercato as well as many clothing and souvenir shops around town.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Sestri Levante or La Spezia Better for Families?

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

Both Sestri Levante and La Spezia 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.

La Spezia is a family-friendly place to visit. Visitors often use La Spezia as a base for visiting nearby Cinque Terre. The surrounding region has many kid-friendly activities like hiking, swimming, and beaches.

Is Sestri Levante or La Spezia Better for Couples?

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

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

La Spezia is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It makes a nice base for visiting nearby sights if the more popular Cinque Terre area is too overwhelming.

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 La Spezia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit La Spezia. It's more affordable than the nearby towns in Cinque Terre, but they're still easily accessible from town.

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

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

Sestri Levante and La Spezia 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.

La Spezia has a few public transit options. Buses, trains, and ferry boats offer the main forms of transportation in the area.

Is Sestri Levante or La Spezia a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante
La Spezia

Sestri Levante is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Sestri Levante. There are pedestrian promenades and charming streets through town that are best explored on foot.

La Spezia is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and you'll find a pedestrian-only area downhill from the train station.

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

Should I spend more time in La Spezia or Sestri Levante?

How long in Sestri Levante or La Spezia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sestri Levante and La Spezia. In our opinion, La Spezia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in La Spezia than Sestri Levante. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Sestri Levante, and 2-3 days is enough time in La Spezia.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Spezia 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 La Spezia.


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

One day in Sestri Levante or La Spezia?

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.

In La Spezia, you'll find nightlife and food. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.


A weekend in Sestri Levante or La Spezia?

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.

La Spezia 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 La Spezia?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in La Spezia. 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 La Spezia?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the town of La Spezia. 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, La Spezia 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 La Spezia is €198. 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 La Spezia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sestri Levante 75
    La Spezia 113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sestri Levante 150
    La Spezia 226
Compare Hotels in Sestri Levante and La Spezia

Looking for a hotel in Sestri Levante or La Spezia? 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 La Spezia


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 La Spezia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sestri Levante 56
    La Spezia 41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Spezia

Also for La Spezia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • La Spezia Cruise Port to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $262
  • Arrival Private Transfer La Spezia to Genoa by Business or Luxury Vehicle: $252
  • Private Transfer from La Spezia to Florence : $245
  • Private Transfer from La Spezia to Cinque Terre by car or van: $141
  • La Spezia Cruise Port to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $131
  • Private Transfer from La Spezia Cruise Port to Florence Hotels: $131
  • La Spezia Cruise Port to Pisa Intl Airport (PSA) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
  • Arrival Private Transfer from La Spezia to Porto Venere or Lerici: $91
  • Private Transfer Porto Venere or Lerici to La Spezia by car / van: $91
  • Private Transfer La Spezia Cruise Port or Train Station to city: $51
  • La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $44
  • Private Transfer from La Spezia Cruise Port to La Spezia hotels: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Sestri Levante or La Spezia?

Prices for flights to both La Spezia 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
    La Spezia 56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Spezia

For La Spezia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour: $92
  • Small-Group Street Food Tour: $97
  • Portovenere: Sunset Cruise with Aperitif and Dinner: $98
  • Small-group Street food tour in La Spezia: $98
  • La Spezia Cinque Terre Food Tour: $124
  • Porto Venere & Islands Sunset Boat Tour w/ Dinner: $140
  • Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $151
  • Private Cooking Class in an Italian Home: $157
  • Market Visit and Seafood Cooking Class with Lunch: $159
  • Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in La Spezia: $160
  • Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in La Spezia: $160
  • Cinque Terre Cooking Lesson in La Spezia: $161

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sestri Levante 25
    La Spezia 37

Tours and Activities in Sestri Levante

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

  • Punta Manara Hiking Tour: $510

Tours and Activities in La Spezia

For La Spezia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • La Spezia Walking Tour: $35
  • 4-Hour E-Bike Private Guided Tour of the Tellaro and Montemarcello Villages: $55
  • 7-Hour Guided Tour Portovenere and Cinque Terre with aperitif: $131
  • Afternoon Boat Tour to Cinque Terre with brunch on board: $154
  • Boat Tour of the 3 Islands & Portovenere: $66
  • Boat Tours 5 Terre: $138
  • Boat tour Cinque Terre and Gulf of Poets from La Spezia: $150
  • Boat tour golfo dei poeti - Golfo dei poeti Portovenere 3 Islands: $142
  • Caving adventure at the Caves of Equi Alpi Apuane: $143
  • Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in La Spezia: $153
  • Cinque Terre & Portovenere: Boat Tour: $144
  • Cinque Terre Gems: UNESCO Sites & Secrets Tour: $629

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sestri Levante 7.86
    La Spezia 35

Sample the Local Flavors in La Spezia

Also in La Spezia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Food and wine tour in the Gulf of Poets with local products: $143
  • boat tour with seafood and wine tasting: $217


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


Which is Bigger, Sestri Levante or La Spezia?

La Spezia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Sestri Levante and La Spezia, 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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