A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Genoa vs. Reykjavik for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Genoa or Reykjavik?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Genoa or Reykjavik, 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's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Genoa and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Genoa or Reykjavik?

You'll generally find more things to do in Genoa than Reykjavik. Genoa is bigger than Reykjavik, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Genoa is better known for its museums, food, beaches, and historical sights, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Genoa is well known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Also, Genoa is famous for The Via Garibaldi Palaces. Reykjavik is well known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Genoa different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Genoa or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Genoa and Reykjavik.

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 Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Genoa or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

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.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Genoa or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

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

Genoa is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Genoa or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific for hiking. However, Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Genoa or Reykjavik?

If you're looking to go shopping, Genoa and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a great destination for shopping. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Genoa or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Genoa and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Genoa or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Genoa and Reykjavik are both superb to visit as a couple.

Genoa is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Genoa or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Genoa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Reykjavik is a good port city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Genoa or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Is Genoa or Reykjavik 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, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Genoa or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Genoa and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Genoa?

How long in Genoa or Reykjavik?

In either Genoa or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Genoa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Genoa, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Reykjavik. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Genoa than Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Genoa. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this clean destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This city 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Genoa. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful port city of Genoa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a fun place to experience. In Reykjavik, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the hiking. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Genoa or Reykjavik?

Genoa is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the clean destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Genoa and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Genoa or Reykjavik?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Genoa and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Genoa is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Genoa in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In Genoa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Genoa usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Genoa gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Genoa usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Genoa or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Genoa as well as Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In October, Genoa is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 19°C (66°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Genoa often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Genoa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets more rain in October than Reykjavik. Genoa gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. Genoa is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Genoa usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Genoa gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Genoa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Reykjavik. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Genoa or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Genoa is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Genoa in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Genoa often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Genoa gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets more rain in April than Reykjavik. Genoa gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Genoa