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

Should you visit Geneva or Stockholm?

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 Stockholm. 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.

Stockholm

Stockholm is a coastal, safe, and expensive city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.

Geneva and Stockholm: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Stockholm?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Stockholm than Geneva. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Stockholm is very popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Geneva attracts visitors for its food and shopping. Stockholm is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its many bridges and water culture, its open air museum, and its colorful old town. It is also well known for Gamla Stan (the old town). Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

Gamla Stan (the old town)

How is Geneva different from Stockholm?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Geneva and Stockholm have very good 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.

Stockholm offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Famous sights and museums include the Vasa Museum, the Skansen Open-Air Museum, and the Royal Palace.

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

Geneva is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Stockholm is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Geneva. 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.

Stockholm is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Most famous for its Swedish meatballs, there is so much more to the food scene in this city. Although they're expensive, the restaurants often have a relaxed atmosphere with dishes that take advantage of local, fresh ingredients. Seafood is obviously popular as well.

Is Geneva or Stockholm Better for Nightlife?

Stockholm is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Stockholm know how to have a good time. The city is a particularly fun place to visit during the summer months when clubs open outdoor areas and parties happen day and night.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Geneva or Stockholm Better for Music?

Stockholm is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Geneva is not a live music destination.

Stockholm is a world class music destination. The city has an amazing music scene that includes international groups and DJs, local venues, and popular festivals.

Geneva is not a live music destination.

Is Geneva or Stockholm Better for its Old Town?

Stockholm 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, Stockholm offers plenty to see. Right in the middle of the city is Gamla Stan. It's spread out over a hill and filled with character, cobblestone streets, cafes, and historical sights.

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 Stockholm?

Geneva is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Stockholm 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Stockholm. Right by Gamla Stan, you'll find the city's main shopping street of Drottninggatan. The city has great jewelry and artisan crafts.

Is Geneva or Stockholm Better for Families?

Stockholm is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Stockholm is very family-friendly. As cities go, this is among the most child-friendly in Europe. There are many unique activities like Junibacken, which is a Pippi Longstocking themed kid's museum. There's also Tom Tits Experiment, which is a hands on science and technology museum, the swimming pools at Eriksdalsbadet, and the amusement park Gröna Lund.

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 Stockholm Better for Couples?

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

Stockholm is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The city is filled with romance, from wandering around Gamla Stan to taking a dinner cruise or exploring a rose garden. During the winter months, the Christmas markets and festive atmosphere bring the city to life.

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 Stockholm Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Stockholm. While the city has a lot to offer, many backpackers avoid the area because it is so expensive. There are some hostels, but in general food and entertainment are all going to cost a lot.

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 Stockholm Better for Students?

Geneva is well known for students. Also, Stockholm is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

It's common for students to visit Stockholm. The cost of the city scares off many international students, but those that come here will find a clean, safe, and fun city with excellent academics.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Geneva and Stockholm.

Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Stockholm has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The system is efficient with bus lines, metro, commuter rails, trams and ferries.

Is Geneva or Stockholm a more walkable city?

Stockholm 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 Stockholm on foot is easy. The city has actively worked to create a walkable environment that is safe and pleasant. There are restrictions on vehicles as well as pedestrian-only areas.

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 Stockholm Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Stockholm or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Stockholm?

Both Geneva and Stockholm have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Stockholm than in Geneva. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 2-7 days is enough time in Stockholm.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Stockholm 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 Stockholm.

One day in Geneva or Stockholm?

People visit Geneva because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Geneva has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Stockholm. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Geneva or Stockholm?

People visit Geneva because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Stockholm is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, 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 Stockholm?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the international city of Geneva. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stockholm. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Stockholm?

Geneva 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the coastal big city of Stockholm. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Budget Tours to Sweden, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Sweden.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Stockholm?

Stockholm has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Stockholm, 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 Stockholm?

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 Stockholm in the Summer?

Both Stockholm and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Stockholm because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Geneva is a little warmer than Stockholm. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Stockholm averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Stockholm. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Stockholm during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Stockholm receives 260 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives less rain than Stockholm. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Stockholm receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Stockholm in the Autumn?

Both Stockholm and Geneva during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Stockholm this time of year.

In October, Geneva is generally much warmer than Stockholm. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Stockholm fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Stockholm. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stockholm receives 99 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in October than Stockholm. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Stockholm receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Stockholm in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Stockholm. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Stockholm for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Stockholm. It's quite cold in Geneva in the winter. Geneva is much warmer than Stockholm in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Stockholm fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Stockholm during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Stockholm receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives more rain than Stockholm. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Stockholm receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Stockholm in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Stockholm. Many travelers come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Stockholm in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Geneva is much warmer than Stockholm. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Stockholm averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Stockholm. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stockholm receives 185 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Stockholm. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Stockholm receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Stockholm and Geneva