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

Should you visit Bordeaux or Genoa?

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

Should I visit Bordeaux or Genoa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a historical, elegant, and charming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. 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.

Bordeaux and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bordeaux or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bordeaux than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Bordeaux, Bordeaux has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bordeaux is more popular for its food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Genoa is known for its museums and beaches. Bordeaux is more touristy than Genoa and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also home to Cathédrale Saint-André. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Bordeaux different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Genoa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

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

Bordeaux 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, Bordeaux is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

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 Bordeaux or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Bordeaux or Genoa has a better nightlife scene.

Bordeaux has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

If you're looking for night time activities Genoa has a few options to choose from. 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 Bordeaux or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Is Bordeaux or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the good old towns in both Bordeaux and Genoa.

Many people head to Bordeaux to see the old town. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Genoa has an old town worth visiting. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Is the Shopping Better in Bordeaux or Genoa?

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

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 Bordeaux or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Bordeaux or Genoa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Bordeaux and Genoa make for a very good place to visit.

Couples visit Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Genoa is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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 Bordeaux or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Bordeaux or Genoa Better for Students?

Bordeaux and Genoa are very good places to visit for students.

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Bordeaux and Genoa.

Public transit in Bordeaux can get you to some places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Genoa. 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 Bordeaux or Genoa a more walkable city?

Bordeaux and Genoa both are very good when exploring on foot.

Bordeaux is a very walkable city. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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 Bordeaux Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Bordeaux?

How long in Bordeaux or Genoa?

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

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Bordeaux. 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 Genoa than Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or Genoa?

In Bordeaux, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this elegant destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. 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.

The port city of Genoa offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Bordeaux or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Genoa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Bordeaux or Genoa?

Bordeaux is a fun place to experience. In Bordeaux, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Genoa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Bordeaux or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the elegant destination of Bordeaux. 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.

Genoa is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, 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 Bordeaux and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Bordeaux much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bordeaux would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux.

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

Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Bordeaux during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Genoa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bordeaux is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bordeaux in July average around 21°C (69°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 Bordeaux. In the summer, Bordeaux often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Genoa. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Bordeaux is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 14°C (58°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Bordeaux usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than Genoa. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Genoa. Most visitors come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Genoa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bordeaux is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Bordeaux gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bordeaux usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the spring, Bordeaux is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bordeaux in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Bordeaux usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during spring. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Genoa. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Bordeaux