A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Siena vs. San Remo for Old Town, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Siena or San Remo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Siena and San Remo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Siena

Siena is a beautiful, romantic, and charming city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

San Remo

San Remo is a beautiful, scenic, and authentic coastal city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Siena and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Siena or San Remo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Siena. Although Siena and San Remo are roughly the same size, Siena has more sights and attractions for tourists. Siena is better known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while San Remo is more popular for its beaches. Siena is more touristy than San Remo and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Also, Siena is famous for Piazza del Campo. San Remo is well known for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

How is Siena different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Siena or San Remo?

Siena is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

Siena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Siena and San Remo offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Siena makes for a great culinary experience. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

San Remo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 Siena or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Siena and San Remo.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in San Remo. 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.

Is Siena or San Remo Better for Beaches?

San Remo is notable for its beaches. However, Siena is not a beach destination.

San Remo is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is Siena or San Remo Better for its Old Town?

Siena is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Siena has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of San Remo. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Siena or San Remo?

Both Siena and San Remo are notable shopping destinations.

Siena is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Remo. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Siena or San Remo Better for Families?

San Remo is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

San Remo is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Siena or San Remo Better for Couples?

Siena is terrific for couples. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Siena makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Couples visit San Remo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Siena or San Remo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Siena is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is Siena or San Remo Better for Students?

Siena is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo is not popular with students.

Siena is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

Both Siena and San Remo offer notable public transit options.

Siena has a few public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

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

Is Siena or San Remo a more walkable city?

Siena and San Remo both are great when exploring on foot.

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

San Remo is a very walkable city. 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 Siena Worth Visiting? and Is San Remo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Siena?

How long in Siena or San Remo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Siena or San Remo to fill your time. In our opinion, Siena has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Siena than San Remo. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Siena or San Remo?

The beautiful city of Siena offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this beautiful destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Siena or San Remo?

Siena is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Siena, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Remo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Five days in Siena or San Remo?

Siena 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.

San Remo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Remo. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Siena or San Remo?

Siena is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find nightlife and food around the beautiful destination of San Remo. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Siena 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 Siena Expensive? and Is San Remo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Siena or San Remo?

Siena has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of Siena 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.

When is the best time to visit Siena or San Remo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Siena or San Remo in the Summer?

Both San Remo and Siena during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to San Remo because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Siena is generally around the same temperature as San Remo. Daily temperatures in Siena average around 23°C (73°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In San Remo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Siena. In the summer, Siena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo. Siena gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun.

Siena usually gets more rain in July than San Remo. Siena gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Siena or San Remo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Siena and San Remo. The autumn months attract visitors to Siena because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Remo this time of year.

Siena is around the same temperature as San Remo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Siena averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and San Remo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Siena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo during autumn. Siena gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Remo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Siena usually receives less rain than San Remo. Siena gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Siena or San Remo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Siena as well as San Remo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Siena this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Siena is cooler than San Remo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Siena in January average around 7°C (45°F), and San Remo averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Siena often gets less sunshine than San Remo. Siena gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun.

Siena usually gets less rain in January than San Remo. Siena gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Siena or San Remo in the Spring?

Both San Remo and Siena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Siena for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to San Remo in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Siena is generally around the same temperature as San Remo. Daily temperatures in Siena average around 12°C (54°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Siena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo during spring. Siena gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Siena usually receives more rain than San Remo. Siena gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Remo and Siena