A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Siena for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Geneva or Siena?

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 Siena. 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 diverse, international, and professional city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a history, beautiful, and romantic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Siena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Geneva than Siena, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Geneva is more popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Siena is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Geneva different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Geneva and Siena 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.

Siena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Siena 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.

Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Geneva or Siena Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Siena 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 Siena has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Geneva or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Siena offers plenty to see. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Siena?

Geneva is very popular for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Geneva or Siena Better for Families?

Geneva is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Geneva is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Geneva or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Siena is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Geneva or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

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 Siena Better for Students?

Geneva and Siena are high quality places to visit for students.

Many students visit Geneva. 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.

Siena is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

Geneva is very popular for its public transit. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Geneva or Siena a more walkable city?

Geneva and Siena 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.

Siena is a very walkable city. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Siena?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Siena than Geneva 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 Siena.

One day in Geneva or Siena?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Siena?

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

Siena 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 Siena?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Siena?

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the romantic destination of Siena. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Siena?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Siena. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Siena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Siena in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Siena this time of the year. In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives more rain than Siena. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Siena. 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. Additionally, most visitors come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Geneva is cooler than Siena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Siena averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Siena. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Siena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Geneva can be very cold during winter. In January, Geneva is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives less rain than Siena. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Geneva during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Geneva because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Siena in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Siena. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Siena. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Geneva