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

Should you visit Graz or Genoa?

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

Should I visit Graz or Genoa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Graz

Graz is a medieval, cultural, and historical city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a energetic, historic, and vibrant port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Graz and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Graz than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Graz, Graz has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Graz is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Genoa is known for its beaches. Graz is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. It is also home to The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Graz different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Graz and Genoa.

Graz offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

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.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at very good restaurants in both Graz and Genoa.

Graz has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

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.

Is Graz or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Graz 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 Graz for the nightlife scene. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

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 Graz or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is adequate for the beache. However, Graz 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.

Graz is not a beach destination.

Is Graz or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

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

Graz has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

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 Graz or Genoa?

Graz 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 Graz. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

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 Graz or Genoa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Graz or Genoa.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Graz is very family-friendly. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

Genoa is known to be 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.

Is Graz or Genoa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Graz and Genoa make for a very good place to visit.

Graz is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

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 Graz or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many 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.

Graz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Graz or Genoa Better for Students?

For students, both Graz and Genoa are very good places to visit.

Graz is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

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.

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

Graz and Genoa both offer very good public transit to get you around.

The public transit in Graz can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Genoa offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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 Graz or Genoa a more walkable city?

Graz is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

Graz is a very easy city to get around on foot. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

Genoa is very walkable. 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 Graz Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Graz?

How long in Graz or Genoa?

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

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

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

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

In Graz, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This 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.

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.

A weekend in Graz or Genoa?

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

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.

Five days in Graz or Genoa?

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

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.

A week in Graz or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Graz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, 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 Graz and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Graz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Graz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Graz 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 Graz.

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

Which is Bigger, Graz or Genoa?

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

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 Graz or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Graz is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Graz in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Genoa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during summer. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Graz. In July, Graz usually receives more rain than Genoa. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Graz or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Graz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Graz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Graz is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Graz often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Genoa. Most visitors come to Graz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Genoa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Graz can be very cold during winter. Graz is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Graz usually receives less rain than Genoa. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Graz or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Graz as well as Genoa. The spring months attract visitors to Graz because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the spring, Graz is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Graz in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Graz often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Graz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Graz