A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Sestri Levante vs. San Remo for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sestri Levante or San Remo?

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 San Remo 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 scenic, local, and quaint 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. It's also popular because of the food and beaches.

San Remo

San Remo is a authentic, historic, and relaxing coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Sestri Levante and San Remo: 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
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Sestri Levante or San Remo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Remo. Although Sestri Levante and San Remo are popular destinations, San Remo has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Remo is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Sestri Levante is famous for its two bays and coastal setting. San Remo is famous for its olives, lemons, and flower market. It is also well known for The Flower Market.

How is Sestri Levante different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sestri Levante
San Remo

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Sestri Levante and San Remo.

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, San Remo makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.


Is Sestri Levante or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Sestri Levante
San Remo

San Remo is a coastal 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 San Remo has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

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 San Remo Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante
San Remo

Sestri Levante is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not a resort destination.

Is Sestri Levante or San Remo Better for Beaches?

Sestri Levante
San Remo

San Remo is great for the beach. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its beaches.

The beaches at San Remo attract visitors from all over. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Sestri Levante offers a nice beach destination. 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.


Is Sestri Levante or San Remo Better for its Old Town?

Sestri Levante
San Remo

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

San Remo is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sestri Levante or San Remo?

Sestri Levante
San Remo

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

San Remo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Sestri Levante or San Remo Better for Families?

Sestri Levante
San Remo

San Remo 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 San Remo. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

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 San Remo Better for Couples?

Sestri Levante
San Remo

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

San Remo is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

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

Sestri Levante
San Remo

Sestri Levante and San Remo 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.

San Remo has a few public transit options. There are local buses around town.

Is Sestri Levante or San Remo a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante
San Remo

Sestri Levante is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

San Remo is very walkable. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.


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

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Sestri Levante?

How long in Sestri Levante or San Remo?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Remo 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 San Remo.


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

One day in Sestri Levante or San Remo?

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 San Remo, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 San Remo?

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.

San Remo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 San Remo?

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 San Remo. 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 San Remo?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the coastal city of San Remo. 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.


Which place is cheaper, San Remo 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 San Remo is €152. 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 San Remo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sestri Levante 75
    San Remo 80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sestri Levante 150
    San Remo 160
Compare Hotels in Sestri Levante and San Remo

Looking for a hotel in Sestri Levante or San Remo? 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 San Remo


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 San Remo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sestri Levante 56
    San Remo 46

Is it cheaper to fly into Sestri Levante or San Remo?

Prices for flights to both San Remo 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
    San Remo 44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sestri Levante 25
    San Remo 23

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sestri Levante 7.86
    San Remo 14


When comparing the travel costs between Sestri Levante and San Remo, we can see that San Remo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 San Remo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sestri Levante or San Remo?

San Remo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Sestri Levante and San Remo, 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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