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

Should you visit Interlaken or Genoa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Interlaken and Genoa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the hiking, skiing, and food.

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.

Interlaken and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Interlaken or Genoa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Genoa than Interlaken, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Genoa is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken is more popular for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Genoa and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. 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.

How is Interlaken different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Interlaken or Genoa Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for skiing. However, Genoa is not a skiing destination.

Head to Interlaken for some great skiing and other winter activities. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Genoa is not a skiing destination.

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

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

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.

Interlaken does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Interlaken and Genoa both to be excellent destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is Interlaken or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Genoa is very good for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Interlaken or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Interlaken 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.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Interlaken or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is very good for its historic old town. However, Interlaken 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.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Interlaken or Genoa Better for Hiking?

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

Known for its hiking, Interlaken draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Interlaken or Genoa?

Genoa is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Genoa. 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.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Interlaken or Genoa Better for Families?

Interlaken is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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.

Is Interlaken or Genoa Better for Couples?

Interlaken is terrific for couples. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Interlaken has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

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 Interlaken or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

Is Interlaken or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

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.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Interlaken and Genoa.

Public transit in Interlaken is fairly effecient and thorough. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

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.

Is Interlaken or Genoa a more walkable city?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Genoa is very walkable. The old town, where most tourists spend the majority of their time, is easy to explore on foot.

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Interlaken?

How long in Interlaken or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Interlaken or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Interlaken due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Interlaken, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

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

In Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food that this adrenaline-filled destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Lots of people come for the hiking. This town 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.

With museums and nightlife around the energetic port city of Genoa, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Interlaken or Genoa?

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Genoa, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Five days in Interlaken or Genoa?

Interlaken is a fun place to experience. In Interlaken, many people enjoy the skiing and food 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.

Genoa, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Interlaken or Genoa?

You'll find food and skiing around the adventurous destination of Interlaken. 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.

Genoa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich, 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 Interlaken and Genoa, we can see that Interlaken 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken 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 Interlaken Expensive? and Is Genoa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Interlaken or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Interlaken 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 Interlaken 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 Interlaken or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Interlaken and Genoa. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Interlaken is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 21°C (70°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during summer. Interlaken gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Genoa. Interlaken gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Interlaken or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Interlaken as well as Genoa. Many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Interlaken is cooler than Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Interlaken averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Interlaken gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Interlaken gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Interlaken or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Interlaken are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Interlaken in the winter for the skiing and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Interlaken can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Interlaken is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Interlaken in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Interlaken usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Interlaken gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Interlaken usually receives more rain than Genoa. Interlaken gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Interlaken or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Interlaken during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Interlaken for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Interlaken is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Interlaken average around 12°C (53°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Interlaken often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Interlaken gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Interlaken usually gets more rain in April than Genoa. Interlaken gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Interlaken