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

Should you visit Ghent or Genoa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Genoa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ghent

Ghent is a cultural, historic, and under-rated city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Ghent and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Ghent than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Ghent, Ghent has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ghent is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Genoa is more popular for its beaches. Genoa is more touristy than Ghent and is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Ghent is well known for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Also, Ghent is famous for The Fortress of Gravensteen.

How is Ghent different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Genoa and Ghent. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ghent or Genoa?

Both Ghent and Genoa have great landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ghent. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

Genoa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Ghent or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Ghent and Genoa both to be great destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ghent makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Genoa has a huge number of terrific 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.

Is Ghent or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Ghent is a must-see party destination. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

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 Ghent or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a moderate port city for its beaches. However, Ghent 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.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

Is Ghent or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Ghent to see the historical old town. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

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 Ghent or Genoa?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Ghent. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

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 Ghent or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Ghent is a family-friendly city. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Ghent or Genoa Better for Couples?

Ghent and Genoa both great destinations for a couple.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for couples. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Genoa makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Ghent or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent 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 Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Ghent or Genoa Better for Students?

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

Ghent is a great destination for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

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

Ghent 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 Ghent can take you anywhere. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

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 Ghent or Genoa a more walkable city?

Ghent and Genoa both are great when exploring on foot.

Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

Genoa is a very walkable city. 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 Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Ghent or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Genoa due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Ghent, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

One day in Ghent or Genoa?

In Ghent, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Genoa, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this colorful destination offers. This port 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 Ghent or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ghent. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Genoa. 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 Ghent or Genoa?

Ghent is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Ghent. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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

A week in Ghent or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the high energy destination of Ghent. 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 nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Genoa. 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ghent would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ghent 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 Ghent.

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

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Genoa, 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 Ghent or Genoa?

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 Ghent or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Genoa. Many visitors come to Ghent in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Ghent is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 17°C (63°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Genoa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Genoa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Ghent is much colder than Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ghent usually receives less rain than Genoa. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ghent or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Ghent because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

The weather in Ghent can be very cold. In the winter, Ghent is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ghent in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in January than Genoa. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Genoa. The natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Ghent is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 8°C (47°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Genoa. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Ghent