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

Should you visit Barcelona or Genoa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Barcelona and Genoa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a friendly, high energy, and youthful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Genoa

Genoa is a historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Barcelona and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Barcelona or Genoa?

You'll generally find more things to do in Barcelona than Genoa. Barcelona is bigger than Genoa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Barcelona is more touristy than Genoa and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. Also, Barcelona is famous for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Genoa is well known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Barcelona different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Barcelona and Genoa have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Barcelona. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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 Barcelona or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Barcelona and Genoa.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Barcelona makes for a great culinary experience. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

Genoa has a huge number of terrific 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 Barcelona or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

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

Barcelona is a must-see party destination. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

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 Barcelona or Genoa Better for Music?

Barcelona is terrific for its music scene. However, Genoa is not a live music destination.

Barcelona has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Genoa is not a live music destination.

Is Barcelona or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

Barcelona has a beach worth visiting. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

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 Barcelona or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona 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 Barcelona to see the historical old town. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

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 Barcelona or Genoa?

Barcelona 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 Barcelona specifically to go shopping. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

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 Barcelona or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Genoa is 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.

Barcelona is a family-friendly city. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Barcelona or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Barcelona or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona 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 Barcelona, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

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 Barcelona or Genoa Better for Students?

Barcelona is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Barcelona is a great destination for students. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

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

Both Barcelona and Genoa offer high quality public transit options.

Visitors to Barcelona can move around easily with public transportation. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

The public transit in Genoa can get you around 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.

Is Barcelona or Genoa a more walkable city?

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

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

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

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

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Barcelona?

How long in Barcelona or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Barcelona or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Barcelona due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Barcelona, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Barcelona. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona 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 Barcelona.

One day in Barcelona or Genoa?

Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Genoa. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Barcelona or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Genoa. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Barcelona or Genoa?

Barcelona is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic port city of Genoa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Barcelona or Genoa?

Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Genoa is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Barcelona and Genoa, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Barcelona or Genoa?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona 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 Barcelona 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 Barcelona or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Genoa. Most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 23°C (73°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 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 Barcelona this time of the year. In the summer, Barcelona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

Barcelona is around the same temperature as Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during autumn. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of rain as Genoa. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Barcelona or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Barcelona during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Barcelona is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Barcelona in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Barcelona often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Barcelona usually gets less rain in January than Genoa. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Barcelona or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Genoa. Many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Barcelona is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 13°C (55°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. Barcelona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during spring. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Genoa. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Barcelona