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

Should you visit Siena or Sestri Levante?

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 Sestri Levante can help you decide which place is right for you.

Siena

Siena is a medieval, history, and beautiful city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a local, quaint, and relaxing seaside town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food and beaches.

Siena and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Siena or Sestri Levante?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Siena than Sestri Levante, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Siena is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Sestri Levante is more popular for its resorts, beaches, and small town charm. Siena is more touristy than Sestri Levante 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. Sestri Levante is well known for its two bays and coastal setting.

How is Siena different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Siena 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 Siena. 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.

Sestri Levante does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Siena and Sestri Levante offer superb 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.

Sestri Levante has a huge number of terrific 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.

Is Siena or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Siena 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 Siena has a few options to choose from. 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.

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 Siena or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is very good for its resorts. However, Siena is not a resort destination.

Sestri Levante has a handful of resorts to choose from. 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.

Siena is not a resort destination.

Is Siena or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Sestri Levante is very good for its beaches. However, Siena is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Sestri Levante to enjoy the beach. 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.

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is Siena or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

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

The old town of Siena is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Siena or Sestri Levante?

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

Siena has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Siena or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Sestri Levante is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its 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.

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 Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

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

Siena is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

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 Siena or Sestri Levante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Siena is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

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 Siena or Sestri Levante Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over to stay in Siena. 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.

Sestri Levante is not popular with students.

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

Both Siena and Sestri Levante 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.

Sestri Levante has some public transit options. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Is Siena or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is very popular for its walkability. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Siena?

How long in Siena or Sestri Levante?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Siena and Sestri Levante. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sestri Levante than in Siena. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Siena, and 1-3 days is enough time in Sestri Levante.

Families should spend more time in Sestri Levante than Siena. 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 Siena than Sestri Levante. 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 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 Siena.

One day in Siena or Sestri Levante?

In Siena, 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.

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.

A weekend in Siena or Sestri Levante?

Siena 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.

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.

Five days in Siena or Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. 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.

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.

A week in Siena or Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Siena. 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.

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.

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 Sestri Levante, we can see that Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Siena or Sestri Levante?

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