A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Annecy vs. Genoa for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Annecy 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 Annecy and Genoa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Annecy

Annecy is a charming, stunning, and breathtaking alpine 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a energetic, historic, and vibrant port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Annecy and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Annecy or Genoa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Annecy. Although Annecy and Genoa are both popular with visitors, Annecy has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Annecy is more popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Genoa is known for its museums and beaches. Annecy is more touristy than Genoa and is known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. It is also home to Palais de l'Isle. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Annecy different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is a great port city for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Genoa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

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

Annecy is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Annecy is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Genoa makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Annecy or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Annecy and Genoa.

If you're looking for night time activities Annecy has a few options to choose from. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Genoa. 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 Annecy or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is adequate for the beache. However, Annecy is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Genoa. 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.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

Is Annecy or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its historic old town.

Annecy has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Many visitors go to Genoa to see the historical old town. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Is Annecy or Genoa Better for Hiking?

Annecy is great for hiking. However, Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Annecy for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Annecy or Genoa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Annecy and Genoa both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Annecy. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Many visitors go to Genoa to go shopping. 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 Annecy or Genoa Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Annecy is very family-friendly. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Genoa is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Annecy or Genoa Better for Couples?

Annecy is terrific for couples. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Annecy has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Genoa is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Annecy or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a great port city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Genoa. 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 Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Annecy or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

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.

Annecy is not popular with students.

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

Genoa is a great port city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its public transit.

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.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Annecy or Genoa a more walkable city?

Annecy and Genoa are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Annecy is a very walkable alpine town. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Annecy?

How long in Annecy or Genoa?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Genoa than Annecy 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 Annecy or Genoa?

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This alpine town 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Genoa. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Annecy or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Annecy. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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.

Genoa 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 Annecy or Genoa?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Genoa. 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 Annecy or Genoa?

Annecy 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. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Genoa. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, 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 Annecy and Genoa, we can see that Annecy is more expensive. And not only is Genoa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Genoa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Genoa 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 Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy than you might in Genoa.

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

Which is Bigger, Annecy or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Annecy 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 Annecy or Genoa?

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 Annecy or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Annecy are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Annecy this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Annecy is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Annecy in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Genoa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Annecy. Annecy usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during summer. Annecy gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Annecy usually receives more rain than Genoa. Annecy gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Annecy or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Annecy during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Annecy is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Annecy average around 14°C (56°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Annecy often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Annecy gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Annecy gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Annecy or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Annecy and Genoa. Many visitors come to Annecy in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Annecy can get quite cold in the winter. Annecy is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Annecy averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Annecy usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Annecy gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Annecy usually receives less rain than Genoa. Annecy gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Annecy or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Annecy as well as Genoa. Most visitors come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Annecy is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Annecy in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Annecy often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Annecy gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Annecy usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Genoa. Annecy gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Annecy