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

Should you visit Sestri Levante or Lucca?

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 Lucca 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. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Lucca

Lucca is a popular, historic, and charming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sestri Levante and Lucca: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sestri Levante or Lucca?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lucca. Although Sestri Levante and Lucca are popular destinations, Lucca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lucca is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Lucca is more touristy than Sestri Levante and is popular for its ancient city walls and its many historic buildings. It is also well known for The Guinigi Tower. Sestri Levante is famous for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Sestri Levante different from Lucca?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lucca 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 Lucca. There are many interesting historic sights and buildings around this charming town. You can climb to the top of the Guinigi Tower or visit the Roman Amphitheater. Many visitors enjoy walking or biking around the city walls as well. Also make sure you visit the cathedral.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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, Lucca makes for a great culinary experience. There are many great Tuscan restaurants inside the city walls. Perhaps the most popular local dish is tordelli Lucchesi. Its a meat filled pasta that has a beef ragu sauce. There are also other Tuscan recipes that include steak, boar, or rabbit.

Is Sestri Levante or Lucca Better for Nightlife?

Lucca is a city 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 Lucca has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is most lively during the spring and summer months when tourists crowd into the city. For the highest concentration of bars, clubs, and lounges, head to Piazza Amfiteatro, Piazza San Michele and Via Fillungo.

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 Lucca Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is a seaside town with good options for its resorts. However, Lucca 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.

Lucca is not a resort destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Lucca Better for Beaches?

Sestri Levante is a seaside town with good options for the beach. However, Lucca 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.

Lucca is not a beach destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Lucca Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Lucca is one of the most recognized in the world. The historic city is surrounded by city walls, which you can walk around. Within the walls there are cobblestone streets and a charming atmosphere.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sestri Levante or Lucca?

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

Lucca has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city is filled with a mix of tourist shops and more authentic local vendors. If you look hard, you can still find some interesting local items that make for a more unique and personal shopping experience.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Lucca Better for Families?

Both Sestri Levante and Lucca are nice 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.

Lucca is a family-friendly place to visit. You can pass through town in a day or two, or stay longer and use it as a base for exploring Tuscany. There are playgrounds for the kids as well as some fun activities like cycling the city walls and climbing towers.

Is Sestri Levante or Lucca Better for Couples?

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

Lucca is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's a beautiful city with good restaurants and access to nice countryside. Couples who want to explore Tuscany can use this town as a base to take in much of the region.

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 Lucca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Lucca is a good city to visit for backpackers. While there aren't many traditional hostels around town, guesthouses are usually affordable.

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

Sestri Levante is a seaside town with good options for its public transit. However, Lucca is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Sestri Levante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Public transit is quite limited in Lucca. There's no public transit within the city so if you can't walk somewhere, you'll want to take a taxi. In general, walking is the best option though.

Is Sestri Levante or Lucca a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Lucca is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Sestri Levante on foot is easy. There are pedestrian promenades and charming streets through town that are best explored on foot.

Lucca is very walkable. Much of the city can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Lucca or Sestri Levante?

How long in Sestri Levante or Lucca?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sestri Levante or Lucca to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sestri Levante than Lucca 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 Lucca.

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

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

One day in Sestri Levante or Lucca?

Even though Sestri Levante is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Lucca, 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 Lucca?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sestri Levante. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lucca 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 Lucca?

Sestri Levante is a fun place to experience. Sestri Levante is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lucca. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Lucca?

Sestri Levante is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Lucca. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sestri Levante and Lucca, we can see that Sestri Levante is more expensive. And not only is Lucca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lucca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lucca 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 Lucca.

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 Lucca Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sestri Levante or Lucca?

Lucca has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Sestri Levante and Lucca, 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.