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

Should you visit Heraklion or Genoa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Heraklion and Genoa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. 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

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

Heraklion and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Heraklion than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Heraklion, Heraklion has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Heraklion is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Genoa is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Heraklion is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Heraklion different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Heraklion. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. The impressive Palace of Knossos is a must-see, but also make sure you visit the Koules Fortress, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum of Crete.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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 Heraklion or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Heraklion and Genoa both to be high quality destinations.

Heraklion has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city is home to countless Cretan restaurants that range in style and budget. There are fine dining restaurants as well as local dives with casual street food. The restaurants reflect the island's multi-cultural past with many styles and flavors available.

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 Heraklion or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion 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 Heraklion for the nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife on the island of Crete. There are many all-night clubs as well as bars that stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. In particular, there are many British tourists hanging out at the clubs and bars.

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 Heraklion or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is great for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Heraklion. You'll find world-class beaches just outside of town, if you're willing to explore a little. Agia Pelagia Beach is about half an hour away and Limanakia Beach is also not a bad day trip. If you want to stay closer to town, head to nearby Amnissos Beach.

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.

Is Heraklion or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a port city with good options for its old town. However, Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Genoa. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Genoa?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Heraklion and Genoa.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Heraklion. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Many visitors go to Genoa to go 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 Heraklion or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Genoa is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Heraklion. In town you'll find many historical and educational sights such as the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Koules Venetian fortress. Kids will also enjoy walking the Venetian Walls that are in town. If you're willing to head a bit outside of town, in about half an hour you can reach the Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, or Acqua Plus Water Park.

Is Heraklion or Genoa Better for Couples?

Both Heraklion and Genoa are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Heraklion makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most couples head outside of town to other parts of the island, but those who linger in town for a while will enjoy world-class museums and fascinating archeological sights.

Couples visit Genoa frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Heraklion or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion and Genoa are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Heraklion. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

Genoa is a very popular 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.

Is Heraklion or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

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.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Genoa is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Heraklion, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

Is Heraklion or Genoa a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Genoa are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Heraklion is a very walkable city. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.

Genoa is a very walkable destination. 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 Heraklion Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Heraklion 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 Heraklion, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Heraklion. 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Genoa?

In Heraklion, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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.

A weekend in Heraklion or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the energetic 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.

Five days in Heraklion or Genoa?

Heraklion is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Heraklion. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant 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.

A week in Heraklion or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Heraklion. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Heraklion and Genoa, we can see that Heraklion 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 Heraklion Expensive? and Is Genoa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heraklion and Genoa. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Genoa. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heraklion or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heraklion as well as Genoa. The autumn months attract visitors to Heraklion because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In October, Heraklion is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Heraklion this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Heraklion is a little warmer than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Genoa. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Heraklion during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Heraklion for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Heraklion is a little warmer than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Heraklion. In the spring, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Heraklion