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

Should you visit Bruges 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 Bruges 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.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, and historic city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

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

Bruges and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bruges than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bruges is very popular for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Genoa attracts visitors for its beaches. Bruges is more touristy than Genoa and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also well known for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Genoa is famous for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Bruges different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Genoa and Bruges.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bruges. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

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.

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

Both Bruges and Genoa offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

Bruges has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

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 Bruges or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Bruges and Genoa.

If you're looking for night time activities Bruges has a few options to choose from. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

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 Bruges or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is adequate for the beach. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Bruges 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.

Bruges has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

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 Bruges or Genoa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bruges and Genoa both offer plenty of nice spots.

Bruges has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

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 Bruges or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Bruges is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Is Bruges or Genoa Better for Couples?

Bruges and Genoa both great destinations for a couple.

Bruges is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

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 Bruges or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Bruges and Genoa are great places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bruges. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

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 Bruges or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges 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.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Genoa is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

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.

Bruges has a few public transit options. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Bruges or Genoa a more walkable city?

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

Bruges is a very easy city to get around on foot. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored 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 Bruges Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Bruges 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 Bruges, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Genoa. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bruges or Genoa?

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

Genoa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bruges or Genoa?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Genoa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bruges or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Bruges. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the energetic destination of Genoa. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, 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 Bruges and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Bruges much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bruges would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bruges 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 Bruges.

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Bruges 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 Bruges 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 Bruges or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bruges is cooler than Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Genoa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives more rain than Genoa. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Bruges during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area 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, Bruges is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Genoa. The winter months attract visitors to Bruges 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.

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. In January, Bruges is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives less rain than Genoa. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Genoa. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Bruges is much colder than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Bruges