A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Genoa for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

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

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

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

Bali and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bali than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bali is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Genoa is known for its museums and historical sights. Bali is more touristy than Genoa and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also home to Pura Lempuyang. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Bali different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali 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, Bali is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

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 Bali or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

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

Bali is a must-see party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

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 Bali or Genoa Better for Resorts?

Bali is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Genoa is not a resort destination.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Genoa is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Genoa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Bali is terrific for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

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 Bali or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is very good for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic old town.

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

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or Genoa Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Genoa?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

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 Bali or Genoa Better for Families?

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

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

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 Bali or Genoa Better for Couples?

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

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

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 Bali or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Bali, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Bali or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a well-known place for students. However, Bali 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.

Bali is not popular with students.

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Genoa can get you to some 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.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Bali or Genoa a more walkable city?

Genoa is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island 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.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Bali?

How long in Bali or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Bali or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Bali due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

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

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

One day in Bali or Genoa?

In Bali, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this spiritual destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Genoa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Genoa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Genoa?

Bali is a fun place to experience. In Bali, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful destination of Genoa. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Genoa?

In Bali, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this lush destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

The energetic port city of Genoa offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, 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 Bali and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Genoa is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Genoa?

Genoa has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Genoa. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bali is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Genoa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the summer, Bali often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bali is generally a little warmer than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Genoa. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Bali during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bali is much warmer than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Genoa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bali is much warmer than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bali usually receives around the same amount of rain as Genoa. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Bali