A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alicante vs. Genoa for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Alicante or Genoa?

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 Alicante and Genoa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a authentic, vibrant, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a colorful, energetic, and historic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Alicante and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Genoa?

Both Genoa and Alicante have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Alicante is more popular for its beaches, while Genoa is known for its impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Alicante different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alicante or Genoa?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Alicante and Genoa.

Many visitors head to Alicante specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Genoa can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a long history and it is filled with monuments, palaces, and museums. Popular places to visit include the Via Garibaldi Palaces, the aquarium (one of the largest in Europe), the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and Santi Ambrogio.

Is the Food Better in Alicante or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Alicante and Genoa.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Alicante. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

Genoa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's maritime roots have influenced its cuisine and you'll find seafood in many local dishes. Other classic Genoese flavors include pesto, anchovies, fried squid, and focaccia and cheese.

Is Alicante or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Alicante and Genoa.

Alicante has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

If you're looking for night time activities Genoa has a few options to choose from. The city lights up at night and it's fun to experience the activity and energy. There's a nice evening atmosphere with many people out and about. You can grab drinks in Piazza Lavagna or see live music in Porto Antico. There are also many bars and clubs around town.

Is Alicante or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

Alicante has a beach worth visiting. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

Genoa is a good spot to see the beach. While many people head to other nearby towns to enjoy the beach, you will also find a beach just ten minutes from the old town by bus. Boccadasse is one of the closest beaches to town. It's also possible to do a day trip to other more famous beaches in the area, but you need to be prepared to travel a bit farther.

Is Alicante or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Alicante and Genoa are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

Many people head to Alicante to see the old town. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Genoa has an old town worth visiting. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Genoa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Genoa and Alicante.

Alicante offers some nice shopping areas. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Genoa has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You can pick up a number of different souvenirs around town including baskets, t-shirts, and local pesto. Popular shopping areas include Galleria Mazzini, Via Roma, and Via XX Settembr.

Is Alicante or Genoa Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Alicante or Genoa.

Alicante is a very kid-friendly city. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Genoa. The city is home to the second biggest aquarium in Europe as well as the Galata Maritime Museum and the Nazario Sauro Submarine. In the port there's also Vascello Nettuno, which was a pirate ship that was used in the filming of the movie 'Pirates' by Roman Polanski. Other fun kid-friendly attractions include La Biosfera, The Children's Museum, and the Bigo Lift.

Is Alicante or Genoa Better for Couples?

Both Alicante and Genoa are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Alicante frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

Genoa is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's a beautiful port city with charming neighborhoods and some great restaurants. Couples will enjoy exploring this beautiful city and visiting its palaces and cathedrals.

Is Alicante or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is well known for backpackers. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Genoa is a great port city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of affordable hostels in the area, and while this isn't the top backpacker destination in Italy, it is a nice place to spend some time.

It's common for backpackers to visit Alicante. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

Is Alicante or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is well known for students. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Genoa is very popular with students. It's a popular study abroad destination so you'll find a number of international students in the area. The city is also well connected for exploring the region.

It's common for students to visit Alicante. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

Is Alicante or Genoa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Genoa is well known for its public transit. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Genoa has some very good public transit options. There's a wide range of different public transit options that are all operated by AMT. The system includes buses, an underground (one line), funiculars (two), lifts (ten), a boat, cogwheel and narrow gauge railways.

While Alicante offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

Is Alicante or Genoa a more walkable city?

Genoa is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Genoa is a very walkable port city. The old town, where most tourists spend the majority of their time, is easy to explore on foot.

Alicante is a somewhat walkable city. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Alicante Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Alicante or Genoa. In our opinion, Genoa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Genoa than Alicante. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Genoa than Alicante 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 Genoa.

One day in Alicante or Genoa?

In Alicante, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this colorful destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The port city of Genoa offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Alicante or Genoa?

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

Genoa 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 Genoa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Genoa?

Alicante is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Alicante. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Genoa 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.

A week in Alicante or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the colorful destination of Alicante. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Genoa 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, 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 Alicante and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Alicante much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alicante would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alicante 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 Genoa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Genoa than you might in Alicante.

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Alicante. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Genoa, 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 Alicante or Genoa?

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 Alicante or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Alicante during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Alicante is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

In Genoa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Genoa. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Genoa. Many travelers come to Alicante for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Alicante is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Genoa. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Genoa. Many visitors come to Alicante in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Alicante is around the same temperature as Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Genoa. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Alicante for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Alicante is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Genoa. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Alicante