A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Toulon vs. San Remo for Food, Beaches, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Toulon 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 Toulon and San Remo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a off-the-beaten-path, real world, and industrial port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, 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.

Toulon and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or San Remo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Toulon than San Remo. Toulon is bigger than San Remo, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Toulon is better known for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while San Remo is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. San Remo is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. Also, Toulon is famous for The Old Town.

How is Toulon different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Toulon is a popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo 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 Toulon. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

San Remo is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Toulon or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Both Toulon and San Remo are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

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 Toulon or San Remo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, San Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

San Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or San Remo Better for Beaches?

San Remo is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beache.

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.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Toulon or San Remo Better for its Old Town?

San Remo is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or San Remo?

Toulon is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

San Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Toulon or San Remo Better for Families?

San Remo is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly port city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Toulon or San Remo Better for Couples?

San Remo is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

San Remo is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

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

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Both Toulon and San Remo offer notable public transit options.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

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

Is Toulon or San Remo a more walkable city?

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

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

San Remo is a very walkable port 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 Toulon Worth Visiting? and Is San Remo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or San Remo?

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

Families should spend more time in San Remo than Toulon. 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 Toulon. 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 Toulon 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 Toulon.

One day in Toulon or San Remo?

The port city of Toulon offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Remo. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Toulon or San Remo?

Toulon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toulon, 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. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toulon or San Remo?

Toulon 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toulon or San Remo?

Toulon 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 port city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of San Remo. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Toulon or San Remo?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of Toulon 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 Toulon 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 Toulon or San Remo in the Summer?

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

In July, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as San Remo. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 24°C (75°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 Toulon. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than San Remo. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or San Remo in the Autumn?

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

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

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during autumn. Toulon gets 205 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, Toulon usually receives less rain than San Remo. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or San Remo in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Toulon is cooler than San Remo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and San Remo averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in January than San Remo. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or San Remo in the Spring?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives less rain than San Remo. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 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 Toulon