A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stuttgart vs. Cinque Terre for Food, Couples, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cinque Terre? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a authentic, commercial, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a traditional, charming, and picturesque coastal region. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Stuttgart and Cinque Terre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

Both Cinque Terre and Stuttgart have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Stuttgart is very popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Cinque Terre attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Cinque Terre is more touristy than Stuttgart and is known for its charming villages, beautiful vineyards, picturesque waterfront setting, and stunning walking trail. Stuttgart is famous for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.

How is Stuttgart different from Cinque Terre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

Stuttgart is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Cinque Terre does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Stuttgart. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

Cinque Terre does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Stuttgart or Cinque Terre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cinque Terre is an amazing coastal region to visit for its restaurants. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Cinque Terre is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Like much of Italy, the area focuses on local flavors that include lots of seafood, as well as local fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The towns are known for their focaccia, which actually originated in nearby Genoa. Anchovies are a favorite here as well, and don't be turned off by your experience with anchovies outside of Italy. They don't compare. Also make sure you sample the pesto, mussels, and any fresh caught seafood.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Stuttgart makes for a great culinary experience. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Nightlife?

Stuttgart is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Stuttgart has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Cinque Terre. The whole point of a trip to the area is to soak up the quiet village atmosphere. There is basically no nightlife in most of the towns, but you will find a few bars in Monterosso.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Resorts?

Cinque Terre is not a good area for its luxury resorts. However, Stuttgart is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Cinque Terre offers a few options. Most people stay in apartments or rooms in local hotels or family homes. There aren't many resorts in the traditional sense, but again, that's part of the charm of the area.

Stuttgart is not a resort destination.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cinque Terre is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Stuttgart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cinque Terre has a few good snorkeling spots. The surrounding waters are part of the of the Pelagos Sanctuary. The area has many rocky coves which are fun to explore with a mask and snorkel. There are also boat excursions available that may let you stop to snorkel, as well as a few dive spots in the area.

Stuttgart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Beaches?

Cinque Terre is a popular place for the beach. However, Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Cinque Terre is a good option for a beach vacation. The area is more about the towns than the beaches. The most typical beach setting is in the newer part of Monterosso. There's a long sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas available. There's also a beach near the town's old town. Several of the other towns have swimming areas, including a small stretch of pebbly sand in Vernazza. It's fun to swim between the months of May and October, when the water temperatures are fairly warm.

Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for its Old Town?

Cinque Terre is an amazing coastal region to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Cinque Terre offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Each of the five towns have their own charming old town which have restaurants and local boutique shops.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Hiking?

Cinque Terre is an amazing coastal region to visit for its hiking trails. However, Stuttgart is not a hiking destination.

People visit Cinque Terre specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The five towns are part of Cinque Terre National Park and there are 120 kilometers of hiking trails in the park. Most people hike along the trails that follow the coastline and connect the towns. There are fees for the most popular stretch of trails which connect Monterosso to Vernazza and then go from Vernazza to Corniglia. All other hiking is free in the area.

Stuttgart is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

Stuttgart is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Stuttgart. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

Cinque Terre is a good destination for shopping. The towns are more about the atmosphere than the shops, but the best shopping can be found in the largest town of Monterosso. You'll find jewelry, clothing, and local food items that are fun to take home as souvenirs.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Stuttgart or Cinque Terre.

Stuttgart is a family-friendly city. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cinque Terre. The five towns are all about exploring on foot, so if that's your kid's thing, then they're in for a treat. The hilly terrain can be a bit tricky, particularly for the little ones, but for older kids this area offers the perfect amount of challenge. There are also a couple of beaches and swimming spots as well as a playground or two around. Food, like most of Italy, is very kid-friendly.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Couples?

Cinque Terre is an amazing coastal region to visit for couples. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Cinque Terre makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. These stunning five Italian villages are perched precariously on the water's edge. They're surrounded by beautiful vineyards and connected by impressive hiking trails. This area is truly a dream honeymoon destination and it is sure to make a memorable vacation for any couple who enjoys exploring charming village.

Stuttgart is a nice destination for couples. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Stuttgart and Cinque Terre are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Stuttgart. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Cinque Terre is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of rooms available in the towns and there are even a couple of hostels including one in Riomaggiore and one in Corniglia. It's possible to find affordable food and accommodation, and your entertainment is simply wandering the area, which is perfect for budget travelers.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Students?

Stuttgart is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cinque Terre is not popular with students.

Stuttgart is a great city to visit as a student. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

Cinque Terre is not popular with students.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Stuttgart is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cinque Terre is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Stuttgart can get you to most places easily. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

You'll find some public transit in Cinque Terre, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Most people arrive by train but there are also ferries available.

Is Stuttgart or Cinque Terre a more walkable city?

Cinque Terre is an amazing coastal region to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Cinque Terre. Vehicle traffic in the towns are heavily restricted so it's very enjoyable to explore on foot. The terrain is hilly and uneven, but that's part of the charm. There are also hiking trails that connect each of the five towns.

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Stuttgart Worth Visiting? and Is Cinque Terre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cinque Terre or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

In either Stuttgart or Cinque Terre, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cinque Terre than Stuttgart because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Stuttgart, and 2-5 days is enough time in Cinque Terre.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cinque Terre than Stuttgart 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 Cinque Terre.

One day in Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

Each neighborhood in Stuttgart has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Even though Cinque Terre is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

Stuttgart is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Cinque Terre is a small town where visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal region has to offer. This coastal region offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse big city of Stuttgart. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Cinque Terre is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal region makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal region has to offer.

A week in Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

Stuttgart is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Cinque Terre is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stuttgart and Cinque Terre, we can see that Stuttgart is more expensive. And not only is Cinque Terre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cinque Terre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cinque Terre 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 Stuttgart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stuttgart than you might in Cinque Terre.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Stuttgart Expensive? and Is Cinque Terre Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 380 times larger than the population of Cinque Terre. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart and Cinque Terre, 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 Stuttgart or Cinque Terre?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cinque Terre in the Summer?

Both Cinque Terre and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cinque Terre in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Stuttgart is cooler than Cinque Terre in the summer. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Cinque Terre. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Stuttgart. Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Cinque Terre during summer. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stuttgart usually receives more rain than Cinque Terre. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cinque Terre in the Autumn?

Both Cinque Terre and Stuttgart during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Cinque Terre for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Stuttgart is cooler than Cinque Terre. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stuttgart in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Cinque Terre averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Cinque Terre. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 177 hours of full sun.

Cinque Terre gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Stuttgart usually gets less rain in October than Cinque Terre. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cinque Terre in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Cinque Terre. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cinque Terre because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Stuttgart can be very cold during winter. In January, Stuttgart is generally much colder than Cinque Terre. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 3°C (38°F), and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Cinque Terre during winter. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

Cinque Terre receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Cinque Terre in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Cinque Terre. The spring months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cinque Terre this time of year.

Stuttgart is cooler than Cinque Terre in the spring. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the spring, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Cinque Terre. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 192 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in April than Cinque Terre. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cinque Terre and Stuttgart