A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Genoa vs. Como for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Genoa or Como?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Genoa or Como, 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 vibrant, colorful, and energetic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Genoa and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Genoa or Como?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Como than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Como, Como has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Como is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Genoa attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Como is more touristy than Genoa and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also well known for the lakeside setting. Genoa is famous for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Genoa different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Genoa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

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

Como 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, Como is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

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 Como Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Genoa and Como.

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

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Como. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Genoa or Como Better for Beaches?

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

Como has a beach worth visiting. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

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 Como Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

Genoa has an old town worth visiting. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Genoa or Como Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Como for the hiking trails. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Genoa or Como?

Como is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to Como specifically to go shopping. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

Genoa is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Genoa or Como Better for Families?

Genoa and Como are both superb destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Genoa. 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.

Como is a very family-friendly place to visit. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Genoa or Como Better for Couples?

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

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Genoa and Como are superb places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

Is Genoa or Como Better for Students?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

Genoa is a great port city to visit as a student. 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.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system 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.

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Genoa or Como a more walkable city?

Genoa and Como are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Como is very walkable. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Genoa?

How long in Genoa or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Genoa or Como. In our opinion, Como has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Como than Genoa. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Genoa or Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Genoa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Como, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this scenic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This lake area 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 Como?

Genoa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Genoa. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Como is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Genoa or Como?

The vibrant port city of Genoa offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the vibrant destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 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 Como, we can see that Como 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 Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como 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 Como Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Genoa or Como?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Genoa and Como, 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 Como?

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 Genoa or Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Genoa and Como. The summer months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

Genoa is around the same temperature as Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. In Genoa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Genoa usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Genoa gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Genoa usually receives less rain than Como. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Genoa or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Genoa as well as Como. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Genoa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Genoa is a little warmer than Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Genoa in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Genoa often gets more sunshine than Como. Genoa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Genoa usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Como. Genoa gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Genoa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Genoa is generally much warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 11°C (51°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Genoa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Como during winter. Genoa gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Genoa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Genoa or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Genoa during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Genoa is a little warmer than Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Genoa often gets more sunshine than Como. Genoa gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets less rain in April than Como. Genoa gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Genoa