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

Should you visit Genoa or Boston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Genoa or Boston, 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 historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Boston

Boston is a loyal, historic, and traditional city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Genoa and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Genoa or Boston?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Boston than Genoa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Genoa is well known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Boston is well known for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. Also, Boston is famous for The Freedom Trail.

How is Genoa different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Boston is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Boston has many famous sights for visitors. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

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.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is great for its shows and theatre. However, Genoa is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Boston. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Genoa is not a theatre destination.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Genoa and Boston.

Genoa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Boston makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for Nightlife?

Boston 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 Boston for the nightlife scene. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

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 Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Genoa is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Boston active and fun. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Genoa is not a live music destination.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for Beaches?

Both Genoa and Boston have respectable beaches worth visiting.

The beach in Genoa is worth checking out. 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.

Boston is a good spot to see the beach. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for its Old Town?

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

Boston has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

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 the Shopping Better in Genoa or Boston?

If you're looking to go shopping, Genoa and Boston both offer plenty of notable 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.

Boston is a great destination for shopping. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is great for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Genoa does not offer Christmas activities.

Boston is a very popular destination during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Genoa does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is great for visiting Christmas markets. However, Genoa does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has plenty of Christmas markets during the holiday season. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Genoa does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Boston is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Genoa is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for Couples?

Genoa is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is notable for backpackers. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Genoa. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Genoa or Boston Better for Students?

Boston is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Boston is a great destination for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

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.

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

Boston is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Boston can take you anywhere. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Genoa. 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.

Is Genoa or Boston a more walkable city?

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

Boston is a very easy city to get around on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored 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 Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Genoa?

How long in Genoa or Boston?

In either Genoa or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than Genoa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Genoa, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston than Genoa 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 Boston.

One day in Genoa or Boston?

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.

Each neighborhood in Boston has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the museums. This city 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 Boston?

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 Boston. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Genoa or Boston?

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.

Boston is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Boston has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Boston?

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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the traditional big city of Boston. 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 museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Genoa and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Genoa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Genoa is in Europe and Boston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Genoa or Boston?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Genoa and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston and Genoa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Genoa is around the same temperature as Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Genoa in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Genoa. In the summer, Genoa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. Genoa gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets less rain in July than Boston. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Boston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Genoa and Boston. Many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Genoa is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 19°C (66°F), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Genoa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Boston during autumn. Genoa gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Genoa usually receives more rain than Boston. Genoa gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Genoa or Boston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Genoa as well as Boston. Most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Boston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Boston can be very cold. Genoa is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Genoa often gets less sunshine than Boston. Genoa gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets less rain in January than Boston. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Boston in the Spring?

Both Boston and Genoa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In the spring, Genoa is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Genoa in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Boston. Genoa usually receives less sunshine than Boston during spring. Genoa gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Genoa usually receives less rain than Boston. Genoa gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Boston and Genoa