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

Should you visit Geneva or Venice?

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 Venice. 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 classy, diverse, and international 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Venice

Venice is a beautiful, romantic, and cultural city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Geneva and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Venice?

You'll generally find more things to do in Venice than Geneva. Venice is bigger than Geneva, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Venice is better known for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Geneva is more popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities. Venice is more touristy than Geneva and is popular for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. Also, Venice is famous for St. Mark's Basilica. Geneva is well known for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

How is Geneva different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Venice 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 Venice that are not to be missed. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

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 Venice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Geneva is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Venice is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Venice offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Geneva or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Geneva is very good for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Geneva or Venice Better for its Old Town?

Venice 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, Venice offers plenty to see. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

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 Venice?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Venice and Geneva.

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.

Known for shopping, Venice draws large crowds to its stores. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

Is Geneva or Venice Better for Families?

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

Venice is a very family-friendly place to visit. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

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 Venice Better for Couples?

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

Venice is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

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 Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Backpackers come from all over to visit Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Venice Better for Students?

Venice is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Venice is a very popular place to visit for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Is Geneva or Venice 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 Venice.

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

Venice has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

Is Geneva or Venice a more walkable city?

Venice 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 Venice on foot is easy. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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 Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Venice?

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

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

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

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

One day in Geneva or Venice?

Geneva is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Venice. 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 Venice?

Geneva is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, 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.

Venice 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 Venice?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. Don't miss the shopping, 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.

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse big city of Geneva. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the magical destination of Venice. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Venice?

Venice has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Venice in the Summer?

Both Venice and Geneva during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Venice in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Venice. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 22°C (71°F), and Venice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Venice, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Geneva. In the summer, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Venice. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Venice. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Venice in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Venice. 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 Venice for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Venice in the autumn. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Geneva usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Venice during autumn. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Geneva usually receives more rain than Venice. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Geneva or Venice in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Venice. Most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Venice because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Venice can be very cold. Geneva can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Geneva is a little warmer than Venice. Typically, the winter temperatures in Geneva in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Venice averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Venice. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Venice. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Venice in the Spring?

Both Venice and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. 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 Venice this time of year.

In April, Geneva is generally around the same temperature as Venice. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 11°C (53°F), and Venice fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Venice during spring. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Geneva usually receives more rain than Venice. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Venice and Geneva