A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Geneva or Pompeii?

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 Geneva and Pompeii. 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.

Geneva

Geneva is a international, professional, and classy city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a iconic, one-of-a-kind, and ancient archeological site. It's also known for museums.

Geneva and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Pompeii?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Geneva than Pompeii, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Geneva is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Pompeii is more popular for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Geneva is well known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. Also, Geneva is famous for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Geneva different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Pompeii?

Pompeii is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Pompeii that are not to be missed. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Geneva offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Is the Food Better in Geneva or Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Geneva is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Geneva has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Geneva or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Geneva is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Geneva. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Geneva or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Geneva has an old town worth visiting. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Pompeii?

Geneva is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

Many people travel to Geneva specifically to go shopping. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Geneva or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Pompeii is a very family-friendly place to visit. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Geneva or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Geneva and Pompeii both notable destinations for a couple.

Geneva is a nice destination for couples. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Pompeii makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Geneva or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pompeii is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Pompeii. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Pompeii Better for Students?

Geneva is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Geneva is very popular with students. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

Is Geneva or Pompeii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Geneva has a great public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Geneva or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Pompeii on foot is easy. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Geneva or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Geneva than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

Families should spend more time in Pompeii than Geneva. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Pompeii, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Geneva than Pompeii. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Geneva that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Geneva or Pompeii?

Because Geneva is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Pompeii?

Because Geneva is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Geneva has to offer.

Pompeii is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Pompeii?

Geneva is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pompeii. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Geneva or Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Geneva. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the famous destination of Pompeii. This archeological site 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Pompeii, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Pompeii much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pompeii would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pompeii 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Pompeii.

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

When is the best time to visit Geneva or Pompeii?

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 Geneva or Pompeii in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Pompeii. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Pompeii in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 22°C (71°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Geneva this time of the year. In the summer, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Geneva in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Geneva is cooler than Pompeii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. In October, Geneva usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Pompeii in the Winter?

Both Pompeii and Geneva during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the museums.

Geneva can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Geneva is much colder than Pompeii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Geneva in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Pompeii averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Geneva usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Pompeii. The spring months attract visitors to Geneva because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Geneva is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 11°C (53°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Geneva