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

Should you visit Avignon or Genoa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Avignon and Genoa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Avignon

Avignon is a picturesque, historical, and quaint town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Genoa

Genoa is a vibrant, colorful, and energetic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Avignon and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avignon or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Avignon than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Avignon, Avignon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Avignon is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm, while Genoa attracts visitors for its nightlife, beaches, and impressive beauty. Avignon is famous for its architectural beauty and historical importance. It is also well known for Palais des Papes. Genoa is famous for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Avignon different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Avignon is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Avignon has many famous sights for visitors. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Genoa. 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 Avignon or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Avignon 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, Avignon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

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 Avignon or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Genoa is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Avignon or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a decent place to visit for the beach. However, Avignon is not a beach destination.

The beach in Genoa is worth checking out. 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.

Avignon is not a beach destination.

Is Avignon or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Avignon 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.

Avignon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

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 Avignon or Genoa?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Avignon and Genoa.

Avignon has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

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 Avignon or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Avignon. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

Is Avignon or Genoa Better for Couples?

Avignon and Genoa both great destinations for a couple.

Avignon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

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.

Is Avignon or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Is Avignon or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Many students visit Genoa. 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.

Avignon is not popular with students.

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

Genoa is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Genoa can get you to most places easily. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Avignon or Genoa a more walkable city?

Avignon is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

Avignon is a very easy town to get around on foot. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Genoa is very walkable. 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 Avignon Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Avignon?

How long in Avignon or Genoa?

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

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

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

Even though Avignon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town 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 Avignon or Genoa?

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

Avignon is a fun place to experience. Avignon 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.

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 Avignon or Genoa?

Avignon 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.

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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-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 Avignon and Genoa, we can see that Avignon 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 Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon 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 Avignon Expensive? and Is Genoa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Avignon or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Avignon 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 Avignon 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 Avignon or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Avignon and Genoa. Many visitors come to Avignon in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Avignon is around the same temperature as Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Avignon averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In Avignon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during summer. Avignon gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Avignon usually receives more rain than Genoa. Avignon gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Avignon or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Avignon as well as Genoa. Most visitors come to Avignon for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Genoa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Avignon is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Avignon in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Avignon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Avignon gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Avignon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Avignon usually gets more rain in October than Genoa. Avignon gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Avignon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Avignon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In January, Avignon is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Avignon average around 7°C (44°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during winter. Avignon gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Avignon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Genoa. Avignon gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Avignon or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Avignon during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm are the main draw to Avignon this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Avignon is cooler than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Avignon averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Avignon. In the spring, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Avignon gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Avignon gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Avignon