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

Should you visit Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante?

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

Should I visit Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante? 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.

Ventimiglia

Ventimiglia is a traditional, understated, and classic seaside town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a scenic, local, and quaint seaside town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Ventimiglia and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ventimiglia. Although Ventimiglia and Sestri Levante are popular destinations, Ventimiglia has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ventimiglia is very popular for its historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Sestri Levante attracts visitors for its resorts. Sestri Levante is more touristy than Ventimiglia and is popular for its two bays and coastal setting. Ventimiglia is famous for its weekly market, colorful old town, and nice beaches. It is also well known for The Friday Market.

How is Ventimiglia different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Foodies will find both Ventimiglia and Sestri Levante both to be excellent destinations.

Dining out in Ventimiglia is an experience not to be missed. Italian classics are abundant including tiramisus, Italian pizzas, risotto alla milanese, and traditional lasagna. If you're in town on a Friday you should visit the local market which has stalls selling local produce and foods.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sestri Levante. 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 Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Neither Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante offer decent nightlife.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Ventimiglia. Most people don't head to town for the nightlife, but there are some bars where you can grab a drink or sip a glass of wine.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Sestri Levante 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 Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Sestri Levante is a popular place for its resorts. However, Ventimiglia 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.

Ventimiglia is not a resort destination.

Is Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Ventimiglia and Sestri Levante are nice choices.

Ventimiglia is a good option for a beach vacation. The lungomare is a promenade along the sea that allows visitors to wander and take in waterfront views. Most of the beaches are free to access and have been influenced by the coastal erosion efforts which have led to a series of scalloped bays. If you reach the end of the lungomare you'll find a natural area where the Roya and Nervia rivers meet the ocean. This is also a popular spot for breeding birds.

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.

Is Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

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

Ventimiglia is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming pastel buildings. There are also a number of historic buildings and monuments that give the town a special atmosphere.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante?

Ventimiglia is great for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Ventimiglia. Most people head in town on Friday for the market, which has stalls selling crafts and local products.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ventimiglia. The charming town is a great place for kids to explore. There is a botanical garden and hiking trails that the whole family can enjoy as well as quiet beaches where they can play. The Italian food is also perfect for young palates.

Sestri Levante offers lots of family activities. 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 Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

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

Ventimiglia is a great seaside town if you're traveling as a couple. This quintessential Italian town offers a romantic setting with cobblestone streets and pastel buildings. There are many culinary delights and romantic settings that are perfect for couples. The hiking trails and botanical gardens are also fun places to explore.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Ventimiglia and Sestri Levante.

You'll find some public transit in Ventimiglia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are trains and buses to town. Once you're in town it's easy to explore on foot.

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.

Is Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Ventimiglia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Ventimiglia is very walkable. It's small size and charming atmosphere make it a great town to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Ventimiglia?

How long in Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sestri Levante than Ventimiglia 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 Sestri Levante.

One day in Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante?

Ventimiglia might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Visiting the old town is also a must. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the relaxing seaside town of Sestri Levante. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this seaside town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante?

Ventimiglia 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.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the quiet small town of Sestri Levante. This seaside town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante?

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

The scenic seaside town of Sestri Levante offers food. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante?

Ventimiglia is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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.

Many people enjoy the food when visiting Sestri Levante. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ventimiglia or Sestri Levante?

Ventimiglia has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Sestri Levante. When comparing the sizes of Ventimiglia 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.