A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Potsdam for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Geneva or Potsdam?

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 Potsdam. 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 professional, classy, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a compact, park-filled, and historic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Potsdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Potsdam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Geneva than Potsdam. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Geneva is very popular for its historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Potsdam attracts visitors for its small town charm. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Potsdam is famous for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin.

How is Geneva different from Potsdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Potsdam 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 Potsdam?

Both Geneva and Potsdam have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. 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.

Potsdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Potsdam can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Potsdam has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

Is Geneva or Potsdam Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Potsdam has a better nightlife scene.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Potsdam has a few options to choose from. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

Is Geneva or Potsdam Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Geneva to see the old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Potsdam?

Geneva is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Geneva make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Potsdam has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Is Geneva or Potsdam Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Potsdam are nice family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. 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.

Potsdam offers lots of family activities. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

Is Geneva or Potsdam Better for Couples?

Geneva and Potsdam both nice 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.

Potsdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

Is Geneva or Potsdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Potsdam. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

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 Potsdam Better for Students?

Geneva is well known for students. However, Potsdam is not popular with 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.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

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

Geneva is very popular for its public transit. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Geneva has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

The public transit in Potsdam can get you to most places easily. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

Is Geneva or Potsdam a more walkable city?

Geneva and Potsdam both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Potsdam is a very walkable city. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Potsdam or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Potsdam?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Geneva or Potsdam to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Geneva than Potsdam 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 Potsdam.

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

Couples should spend more time in Geneva than Potsdam. 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 Potsdam?

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 and nightlife when visiting the destination of Potsdam. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Potsdam?

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.

Potsdam 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 Geneva or Potsdam?

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 Potsdam. 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 Potsdam?

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 shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Potsdam. This 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Potsdam, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Potsdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Potsdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Potsdam 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 Potsdam.

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Potsdam?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Potsdam, 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 Geneva or Potsdam?

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 Geneva or Potsdam in the Summer?

Both Potsdam and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Potsdam in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Geneva is a little warmer than Potsdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Potsdam averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Potsdam. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Potsdam during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Potsdam in the Autumn?

Both Potsdam and Geneva during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Potsdam. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in October than Potsdam. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Potsdam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Potsdam. Most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Potsdam can be very cold. Geneva can be very cold during winter. Geneva is much warmer than Potsdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Potsdam fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Potsdam during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Potsdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Potsdam. The spring months attract visitors to Geneva because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year.

In the spring, Geneva is a little warmer than Potsdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Potsdam averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Potsdam. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Potsdam and Geneva