A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Genoa vs. Rijeka for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Genoa or Rijeka?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Genoa or Rijeka, 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 offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a diverse, slow-paced, and coastal town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Genoa or Rijeka?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rijeka than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Rijeka, Rijeka has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rijeka is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Genoa attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Rijeka is famous for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port. It is also well known for Trsat Castle.

How is Genoa different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Genoa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Rijeka is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Genoa is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is Genoa or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Rijeka 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 Rijeka for the nightlife scene. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

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 Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Both Genoa and Rijeka have reasonable 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.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Is Genoa or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Genoa offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Genoa or Rijeka?

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

Rijeka is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Genoa or Rijeka Better for Families?

Genoa and Rijeka are both excellent 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.

Rijeka is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

Is Genoa or Rijeka Better for Couples?

Genoa is a well-known place for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

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.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Is Genoa or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Genoa is a very popular port city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Rijeka. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Genoa or Rijeka Better for Students?

Genoa is a well-known place for students. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Rijeka. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Rijeka has some public transit options. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Genoa or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Genoa is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its 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.

Rijeka is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Genoa?

How long in Genoa or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Genoa or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Genoa than Rijeka 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 Rijeka.

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Rijeka. 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 Rijeka. 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 Rijeka 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this diverse destination offers. This town 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka. 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 Rijeka?

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.

Rijeka is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Rijeka. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Genoa or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the energetic 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 food and shopping around the accessible destination of Rijeka. 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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Genoa and Rijeka, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Rijeka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rijeka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rijeka 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 Genoa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Genoa than you might in Rijeka.

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

Which is Bigger, Genoa or Rijeka?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Genoa and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

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 Rijeka in the Summer?

Both Rijeka and Genoa during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Genoa is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Rijeka, 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 Rijeka. Genoa gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Genoa and Rijeka. The autumn months attract visitors to Genoa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

In the autumn, Genoa is a little warmer than Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Genoa in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Genoa usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Genoa gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Genoa usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Genoa gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Genoa or Rijeka in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Genoa as well as Rijeka. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Genoa this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Genoa is generally much warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 11°C (51°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Genoa often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Genoa gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Genoa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rijeka. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Genoa or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Genoa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Genoa is around the same temperature as Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Genoa usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Genoa gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Genoa usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Genoa gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Genoa