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

Should you visit Sestri Levante or Milan?

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 Milan 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. 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.

Milan

Milan is a chic, cultural, and trendy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Sestri Levante and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sestri Levante or Milan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Milan. Although Sestri Levante and Milan are popular destinations, Milan has more sights and attractions for tourists. Milan is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Sestri Levante is famous for its two bays and coastal setting. Milan is famous for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also well known for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Sestri Levante different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Milan 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 Milan. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Milan 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 Milan have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

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 Milan Better for Nightlife?

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

Milan is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

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 Milan Better for Music?

Milan is renowned for its music scene. However, Sestri Levante is not a live music destination.

Milan has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Sestri Levante is not a live music destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Milan Better for Resorts?

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

Milan is not a resort destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Milan Better for Beaches?

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

Milan is not a beach destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Milan Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Milan is one of the most recognized in the world. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sestri Levante or Milan?

Milan is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to Milan specifically to go shopping. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sestri Levante or Milan Better for Families?

Both Sestri Levante and Milan 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.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Sestri Levante or Milan Better for Couples?

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

Milan is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

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 Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Milan. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

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 Milan Better for Students?

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

Milan is a very popular city for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

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

Milan is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its public transit.

Milan has a great public transit system. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

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 Sestri Levante or Milan a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante and Milan 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 Milan on foot. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Milan or Sestri Levante?

How long in Sestri Levante or Milan?

In either Sestri Levante or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Sestri Levante because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Sestri Levante, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

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

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

One day in Sestri Levante or Milan?

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.

Because Milan is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Milan?

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.

Milan 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 Milan?

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 Milan. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

A week in Sestri Levante or Milan?

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 Milan. 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 Milan, we can see that Milan 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 Milan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Milan 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 Milan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sestri Levante or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Sestri Levante and Milan, 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.