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

Should you visit Frankfurt or Genoa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Genoa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

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

Frankfurt and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Genoa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt. Although Frankfurt and Genoa are about the same size, Frankfurt has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Frankfurt is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Genoa attracts visitors for its beaches and impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Genoa and Frankfurt.

Many visitors head to Frankfurt specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Genoa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Frankfurt or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Frankfurt and Genoa can be an enjoyable experience.

Frankfurt has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Frankfurt for the nightlife scene. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

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 Frankfurt or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a decent place to visit for the beach. However, Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Is Frankfurt or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt and Genoa are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

Frankfurt has an old town worth visiting. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

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 Frankfurt or Genoa?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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 Frankfurt or Genoa Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Frankfurt or Genoa.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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.

Is Frankfurt or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Frankfurt or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt and Genoa are both excellent destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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 Frankfurt or Genoa Better for Students?

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

Frankfurt is a great destination for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

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

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Frankfurt can take you anywhere. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation 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 Frankfurt or Genoa a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and Genoa are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Genoa?

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

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Frankfurt or Genoa?

Each neighborhood in Frankfurt has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 Frankfurt or Genoa?

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

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 Frankfurt or Genoa?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant 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 Frankfurt or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the connected big city of Frankfurt. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Genoa?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Genoa. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Frankfurt is cooler than Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In Frankfurt, it's very sunny this time of the year. Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during summer. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Frankfurt usually receives more rain than Genoa. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Genoa. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Frankfurt is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Frankfurt in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Frankfurt is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 1°C (34°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Genoa. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Frankfurt during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Frankfurt is cooler than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Frankfurt