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

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

Antwerp

Antwerp is a genuine, cultural, and historical port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. 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.

Antwerp and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antwerp or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Antwerp than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Antwerp, Antwerp has more sights and attractions for tourists. Antwerp is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Genoa is known for its food, beaches, and impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Antwerp and is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Antwerp is popular for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. It is also home to Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Antwerp different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Many visitors head to Antwerp specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

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 Antwerp or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Genoa is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Genoa. 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.

Antwerp is becoming an appealing option for foodies. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Is Antwerp or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp is great for its evening party scene. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Many people head to Antwerp for the nightlife scene. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

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 Antwerp or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a port city with a few options for the beache. However, Antwerp 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.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

Is Antwerp or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Antwerp to see the historical old town. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

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 the Shopping Better in Antwerp or Genoa?

Antwerp is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to Antwerp specifically to go shopping. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

Genoa is a great destination for 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 Antwerp or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Genoa is a very kid-friendly port city. 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.

Antwerp offers lots of family activities. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

Is Antwerp or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Genoa frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Antwerp is a good port city for couples to visit. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Is Antwerp or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is well known for backpackers. Also, Antwerp 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 Antwerp. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

Is Antwerp or Genoa Better for Students?

Antwerp and Genoa are excellent places to visit for students.

Antwerp is very popular with students. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

Genoa is a great port city to visit as a student. 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.

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

Genoa is well known for its public transit. Also, Antwerp 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 Antwerp offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

Is Antwerp or Genoa a more walkable city?

Antwerp and Genoa both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Antwerp is a very walkable port city. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

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 Antwerp Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Antwerp?

How long in Antwerp or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Antwerp or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Genoa due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Antwerp, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

Couples should spend more time in Genoa than Antwerp. 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 Antwerp 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 Antwerp or Genoa?

In Antwerp, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the shopping. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Genoa, you'll find nightlife and food. This port city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Antwerp or Genoa?

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

In Genoa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Genoa has to offer.

Five days in Antwerp or Genoa?

Antwerp is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Antwerp. Lots of people come for the shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Genoa is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Antwerp or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Antwerp. 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 shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Genoa. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Genoa. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels, 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 Antwerp and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Antwerp much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antwerp would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antwerp 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 Antwerp.

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

Which is Bigger, Antwerp or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Antwerp. When comparing the sizes of Antwerp 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 Antwerp 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 Antwerp or Genoa in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Antwerp is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Antwerp in July average around 17°C (63°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 Antwerp. In the summer, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Antwerp gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Antwerp gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Antwerp and Genoa. Many travelers come to Antwerp for the city's sights and attractions and 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, Antwerp is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Antwerp average around 12°C (54°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Antwerp gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Genoa. Antwerp gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Antwerp or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Antwerp as well as Genoa. Many visitors come to Antwerp 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.

Antwerp can get quite cold in the winter. Antwerp is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Antwerp averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Antwerp often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Antwerp gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Antwerp usually gets less rain in January than Genoa. Antwerp gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antwerp or Genoa in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Antwerp is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Antwerp in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Antwerp usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. Antwerp gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Antwerp usually receives less rain than Genoa. Antwerp gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Antwerp