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

Should you visit Caen 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 Caen 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.

Caen

Caen is a important, historic, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a vibrant, colorful, and energetic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Genoa?

Both Genoa and Caen have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Caen is better known for its big city activities, while Genoa is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Caen and is known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Caen is well known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Caen different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Caen or Genoa.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Caen. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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 Caen or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Caen and Genoa.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Genoa. 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 Caen or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Caen and Genoa.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Genoa has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Caen or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

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.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Caen or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

Genoa is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Genoa?

Genoa is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Genoa. 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Genoa Better for Families?

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

Genoa is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Caen or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Genoa makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Caen or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Genoa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Caen or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find great public transit in both Caen and Genoa.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

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.

Is Caen or Genoa a more walkable city?

Genoa is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Caen?

How long in Caen or Genoa?

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

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

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

In Caen, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this park-filled destination offers. 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.

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 Caen or Genoa?

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

Caen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Caen. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant 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 Caen or Genoa?

You'll find nightlife and food around the important destination of Caen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The vibrant 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 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 Caen and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Caen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caen 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 Caen.

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

Which is Bigger, Caen or Genoa?

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

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

In July, Caen is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 18°C (64°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Caen usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during summer. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Caen usually receives more rain than Genoa. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Caen or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Caen as well as Genoa. Most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Genoa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Caen is much colder than Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Caen often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums 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 Caen can be very cold. In the winter, Caen is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Caen in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Caen usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Caen usually receives less rain than Genoa. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Caen or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Caen during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Caen is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 9°C (49°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Caen often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Caen gets 46 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 Caen