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

Should you visit Ventimiglia or Siena?

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

Should I visit Ventimiglia or Siena? 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 understated, classic, and authentic seaside town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a beautiful, romantic, and charming city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Ventimiglia and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ventimiglia or Siena?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Siena than Ventimiglia, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Siena is better known for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights, while Ventimiglia is more popular for its beaches, shopping, and small town charm. Siena is more touristy than Ventimiglia and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Also, Siena is famous for Piazza del Campo. Ventimiglia is well known for its weekly market, colorful old town, and nice beaches.

How is Ventimiglia different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ventimiglia or Siena?

Siena is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Ventimiglia 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.

Ventimiglia does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Ventimiglia and Siena both to be great 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 Siena. 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.

Is Ventimiglia or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Siena is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Ventimiglia is a seaside town with minimal options for nightlife.

Siena has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet 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.

Is Ventimiglia or Siena Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Ventimiglia to enjoy the beach. 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.

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is Ventimiglia or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Ventimiglia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Siena is revered around 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.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Ventimiglia or Siena?

Ventimiglia is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Ventimiglia is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Most people head in town on Friday for the market, which has stalls selling crafts and local products.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. 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.

Is Ventimiglia or Siena Better for Families?

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

Ventimiglia is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

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 Ventimiglia or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Ventimiglia is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

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.

Is Ventimiglia or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Siena is a popular place for backpackers. However, Ventimiglia is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Ventimiglia is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Ventimiglia or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is a great destination for students. However, Ventimiglia 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.

Ventimiglia is not popular with students.

Is Ventimiglia or Siena 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 Siena.

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 Siena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Ventimiglia or Siena a more walkable city?

Ventimiglia and Siena both are great when exploring on foot.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Ventimiglia?

How long in Ventimiglia or Siena?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Siena 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 Siena.

One day in Ventimiglia or Siena?

Even though Ventimiglia is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Ventimiglia or Siena?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Siena. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city 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 Siena?

Ventimiglia is a fun place to experience. Ventimiglia is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The romantic city of Siena offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Ventimiglia or Siena?

Ventimiglia is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Siena. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 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 comparing the travel costs between Ventimiglia and Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Ventimiglia Expensive? and Is Siena Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ventimiglia or Siena?

Siena has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ventimiglia. When comparing the sizes of Ventimiglia and Siena, 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 Ventimiglia or Siena?

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 Ventimiglia or Siena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ventimiglia and Siena. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ventimiglia this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Siena for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Ventimiglia is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ventimiglia in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Siena this time of the year. In Ventimiglia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ventimiglia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Siena during summer. Ventimiglia gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ventimiglia usually receives less rain than Siena. Ventimiglia gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ventimiglia or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ventimiglia as well as Siena. Many travelers come to Ventimiglia for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Siena in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Ventimiglia is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Ventimiglia average around 17°C (63°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Ventimiglia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Siena. Ventimiglia gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Ventimiglia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ventimiglia usually gets more rain in October than Siena. Ventimiglia gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ventimiglia or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena and Ventimiglia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ventimiglia in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Ventimiglia is a little warmer than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Ventimiglia averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Ventimiglia usually receives more sunshine than Siena during winter. Ventimiglia gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ventimiglia usually receives more rain than Siena. Ventimiglia gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ventimiglia or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Ventimiglia during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ventimiglia for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Siena because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Ventimiglia is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ventimiglia in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Ventimiglia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Siena. Ventimiglia gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Ventimiglia usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Ventimiglia gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Ventimiglia