A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Genoa vs. Amalfi for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Genoa or Amalfi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Genoa or Amalfi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Genoa

Genoa is a colorful, energetic, and historic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a picturesque, stunning, and dramatic town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Genoa and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Genoa or Amalfi?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amalfi. Although Genoa and Amalfi are both popular with visitors, Amalfi has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amalfi is more popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Genoa is known for its museums. Amalfi is more touristy than Genoa and is popular for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. It is also home to the dramatic coastline. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Genoa different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Genoa or Amalfi?

Genoa is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Genoa. The city has a long history and it is filled with monuments, palaces, and museums. Popular places to visit include the Via Garibaldi Palaces, the aquarium (one of the largest in Europe), the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and Santi Ambrogio.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Amalfi. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is the Food Better in Genoa or Amalfi? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Amalfi is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Amalfi is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around town.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Genoa makes for a great culinary experience. The city's maritime roots have influenced its cuisine and you'll find seafood in many local dishes. Other classic Genoese flavors include pesto, anchovies, fried squid, and focaccia and cheese.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi is great for its evening party scene. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Many people head to Amalfi for the nightlife scene. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Genoa. The city lights up at night and it's fun to experience the activity and energy. There's a nice evening atmosphere with many people out and about. You can grab drinks in Piazza Lavagna or see live music in Porto Antico. There are also many bars and clubs around town.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Amalfi has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

Amalfi has a beach worth visiting. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Genoa is a good spot to see the beach. While many people head to other nearby towns to enjoy the beach, you will also find a beach just ten minutes from the old town by bus. Boccadasse is one of the closest beaches to town. It's also possible to do a day trip to other more famous beaches in the area, but you need to be prepared to travel a bit farther.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Amalfi is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Amalfi to see the historical old town. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Many visitors go to Genoa to see the historical old town. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is great for hiking. However, Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Amalfi for the hiking trails. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Genoa or Amalfi?

If you're looking to go shopping, Genoa and Amalfi both offer plenty of good spots.

Genoa has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You can pick up a number of different souvenirs around town including baskets, t-shirts, and local pesto. Popular shopping areas include Galleria Mazzini, Via Roma, and Via XX Settembr.

Amalfi is a great destination for shopping. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for Families?

Genoa is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Genoa is a very kid-friendly port city. The city is home to the second biggest aquarium in Europe as well as the Galata Maritime Museum and the Nazario Sauro Submarine. In the port there's also Vascello Nettuno, which was a pirate ship that was used in the filming of the movie 'Pirates' by Roman Polanski. Other fun kid-friendly attractions include La Biosfera, The Children's Museum, and the Bigo Lift.

Amalfi offers lots of family activities. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is terrific for couples. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Amalfi has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

Genoa is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a beautiful port city with charming neighborhoods and some great restaurants. Couples will enjoy exploring this beautiful city and visiting its palaces and cathedrals.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is well known for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Genoa is a great port city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of affordable hostels in the area, and while this isn't the top backpacker destination in Italy, it is a nice place to spend some time.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for Students?

Genoa is well known for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Genoa. It's a popular study abroad destination so you'll find a number of international students in the area. The city is also well connected for exploring the region.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

Is Genoa or Amalfi Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Genoa is well known for its public transit. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Genoa can get you around easily. There's a wide range of different public transit options that are all operated by AMT. The system includes buses, an underground (one line), funiculars (two), lifts (ten), a boat, cogwheel and narrow gauge railways.

While Amalfi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Genoa or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

Amalfi is a very easy town to get around on foot. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy to explore on foot.

Genoa is very walkable. The old town, where most tourists spend the majority of their time, is easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Genoa Worth Visiting? and Is Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Genoa?

How long in Genoa or Amalfi?

Both Genoa and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Genoa. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Genoa, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

One day in Genoa or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Genoa. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Amalfi, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this dramatic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Genoa or Amalfi?

Genoa 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amalfi. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

Five days in Genoa or Amalfi?

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

Amalfi is a fun place to experience. In Amalfi, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Genoa or Amalfi?

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

In Amalfi, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this picturesque destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, 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 Genoa and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Genoa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Genoa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Genoa 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 Amalfi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amalfi than you might in Genoa.

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

Which is Bigger, Genoa or Amalfi?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Genoa and Amalfi, 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 Genoa or Amalfi?

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 Genoa or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Genoa as well as Amalfi. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Genoa this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Genoa is generally around the same temperature as Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 25°C (76°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In the summer, Genoa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi. Genoa gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets less rain in July than Amalfi. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Amalfi in the Autumn?

Both Amalfi and Genoa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Amalfi in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Genoa is a little warmer than Amalfi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Amalfi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Genoa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi during autumn. Genoa gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. In October, Genoa usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Genoa gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Genoa or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Genoa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Genoa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Genoa is a little warmer than Amalfi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Genoa in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Amalfi averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Genoa often gets more sunshine than Amalfi. Genoa gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun.

Amalfi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Genoa usually gets less rain in January than Amalfi. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Amalfi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Genoa and Amalfi. Most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Genoa is generally a little warmer than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 15°C (58°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Genoa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amalfi during spring. Genoa gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Genoa