A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Genoa vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel, 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a inspiring, iconic, and religious island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Genoa and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Genoa. Although Genoa and Mont-Saint-Michel are both popular with visitors, Genoa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Genoa is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is known for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Genoa and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. It is also home to The Via Garibaldi Palaces.

How is Genoa different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel 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, Mont-Saint-Michel has many famous sights for visitors. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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 the Food Better in Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Genoa is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Genoa is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Genoa has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a port city with a few options for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Genoa. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is very good for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Genoa is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Genoa offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Genoa is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is terrific for couples. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Mont-Saint-Michel has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Genoa is a great destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Genoa is very popular with students. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Genoa is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Genoa has some very good public transit options. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Genoa and Mont-Saint-Michel are excellent 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is very walkable. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Genoa Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Genoa?

How long in Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Genoa than Mont-Saint-Michel because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Genoa, and 1-2 days is enough time in Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Genoa than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Genoa.

One day in Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Genoa, there's plenty to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, many people enjoy the food and museums that this historic destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the energetic port city of Genoa, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Genoa. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Lots of people come for the museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Genoa is a popular choice for travelers. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the religious destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Genoa and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 7520 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Genoa and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Genoa as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Genoa is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 25°C (76°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mont-Saint-Michel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In the summer, Genoa often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Genoa gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Genoa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Genoa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

Genoa is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Genoa usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Genoa gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Genoa usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Genoa gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Genoa during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Genoa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Genoa is much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Genoa in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Genoa often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Genoa gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets more rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Genoa and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Genoa is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 15°C (58°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Genoa usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Genoa gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Genoa usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Genoa gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Genoa