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

Should you visit Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fairytale, medieval, and historical town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

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.

Carcassonne and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Genoa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Genoa than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Genoa is better known for its nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Carcassonne is more popular for its small town charm. Carcassonne is well known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Genoa is well known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Also, Genoa is famous for The Via Garibaldi Palaces.

How is Carcassonne different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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 Carcassonne or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Carcassonne and Genoa offer great local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

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 Carcassonne or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Genoa is a good destination for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Carcassonne or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the notable old town areas in both Carcassonne and Genoa.

Carcassonne is a good destination for visiting its old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Carcassonne or Genoa?

Genoa is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Carcassonne or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Carcassonne or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne and Genoa are both great destinations for backpackers.

Carcassonne is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Genoa is a great town 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.

Is Carcassonne or Genoa Better for Students?

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

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Genoa is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Genoa is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Carcassonne or Genoa a more walkable city?

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

Carcassonne is a very easy town to get around on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore 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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Carcassonne or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Genoa due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Carcassonne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

In Carcassonne, many people enjoy the food and museums that this fairytale destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic port city of Genoa. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Genoa?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Genoa. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Carcassonne or Genoa?

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

The colorful port city of Genoa offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Carcassonne or Genoa?

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Genoa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne or Genoa in the Summer?

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

In July, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 24°C (75°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 Carcassonne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Carcassonne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during summer. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Carcassonne usually receives more rain than Genoa. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Genoa. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere 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.

Carcassonne is cooler than Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Genoa. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Carcassonne 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.

In the winter, Carcassonne is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carcassonne in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Genoa. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Carcassonne during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 14°C (56°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Carcassonne