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

Should you visit Inverness 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 Inverness and Genoa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a historic, cultural, and traditional city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Inverness and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Loch Ness
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit


Is there more to do in Inverness or Genoa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Genoa. Although Inverness and Genoa are both popular with visitors, Genoa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Genoa is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Inverness is known for its shopping and small town charm. Inverness is popular for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. It is also home to The Via Garibaldi Palaces.

How is Inverness different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Inverness
Genoa

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Inverness and Genoa.

Many visitors head to Inverness specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Genoa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Inverness or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inverness
Genoa

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Inverness and Genoa.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Genoa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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 Inverness or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Inverness
Genoa

Both Inverness and Genoa are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

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.

Is Inverness or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Inverness
Genoa

Genoa is a moderate port city for the beache. However, Inverness 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.

Inverness is not a beach destination.


Is Inverness or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Inverness
Genoa

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

Many people head to Genoa to see the old town. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Genoa?

Inverness
Genoa

Inverness 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 Inverness. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

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 Inverness or Genoa Better for Families?

Inverness
Genoa

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

Genoa is a very kid-friendly port city. 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.

Inverness is a family-friendly city. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.


Is Inverness or Genoa Better for Couples?

Inverness
Genoa

Genoa is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Inverness is a good city for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Inverness or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Inverness
Genoa

Genoa is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Genoa is a great port city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Genoa Better for Students?

Inverness
Genoa

Genoa is a well-known place for students. However, Inverness 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.

Inverness is not popular with students.


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

Inverness
Genoa

Genoa is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Genoa a more walkable city?

Inverness
Genoa

Inverness and Genoa both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

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 Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Genoa?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Genoa than Inverness 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.


  • How many days in Inverness or Genoa? Ideal Length of Stay
    Inverness 1-3 
    Genoa 2-4

One day in Inverness or Genoa?

In Inverness, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. 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 Inverness or Genoa?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic 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 Inverness or Genoa?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic 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 Inverness or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the traditional destination of Inverness. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Genoa or Inverness?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Inverness is £168, while the average daily cost in Genoa is £128. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Inverness and Genoa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Inverness £91
    Genoa £75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Inverness £182
    Genoa £150
Compare Hotels in Inverness and Genoa

Looking for a hotel in Inverness or Genoa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Inverness


Hotels in Genoa


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Inverness Hotel Prices and Genoa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Inverness £33
    Genoa £7.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Inverness

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:

  • Inverness to Glasgow Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness to Edinburgh Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness to Isle of Skye Direct transfer: $623
  • Inverness to Fort William Direct transfer: $374
  • Inverness Private Transfer to Aviemore: $229
  • Transfers / Tour from , inverness, Edinburgh ,Glasgow ,Aberdeen : $184
  • Inverness Airport to Glenshee Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $131
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Inverness INV to Inverness City by luxury vehicle: $105
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $66
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Genoa

Also for Genoa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa hotels: $26
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Genoa to Genoa Airport (GOA) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer from Genoa Airport GOA to Santa Margherita Port: $44
  • Departure Private Transfer Genoa, Savona or Portofino to GOA Airport by Sedan: $44
  • Private Transfer Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa, Savona or Portofino by Business Car: $44
  • Private Transfer from Genoa Airport(GOA) to Portofino Cruise Port: $49
  • Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
  • Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Genoa airport (GOA) to Savona Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Savona Cruise Port to Genoa hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Genoa Airport to Savona Cruise Port Private Arrival Transfer: $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Inverness or Genoa?

Prices for flights to both Genoa and Inverness change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Inverness £49
    Genoa £44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Genoa

For Genoa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Genoese cooking lesson in the garden with lunch: $68
  • Genoa Old town Food Tour: $74
  • Itinerant dinner in the old town: $75
  • Street Food Tour: $84
  • Do Eat Better Experience - Food Tours in Genoa: $86
  • Traditional Food Tour: $91
  • Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Camogli: $93
  • Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Savona: $93
  • Dining experience with cooking demo and wines in Rapallo: $93
  • Traditional Home Cooking Class in Genoa: $93
  • Tour of Genoa historic center and wine tasting with dinner: $93
  • Small-group Street food tour in Savona: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Inverness £44
    Genoa £17

Tours and Activities in Inverness

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Inverness are as follows:

  • 1-Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness: $97
  • 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles: $191
  • 2-Hour Private Celtic Handfasting Ceremony Experience: $108
  • 25 Shot Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience: $63
  • Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness: $69
  • Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour: $164
  • Chauffeur driven sightseeing Edinburgh to & from Inverness: $1,000
  • Clan Tour - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour: $172
  • Craigs Luxury Speyside Private Whisky Tour: $686
  • Day tour to Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools from Inverness: $126
  • From Cairngorms National Park and Whisky Tour: $76
  • From Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns Tour: $73

Tours and Activities in Genoa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Genoa.

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Genoa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
  • City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.95
  • City Highlights Self-guided Walking Tour: $8.45
  • Lighthouse Entrance Ticket: $8.56
  • Finance and Nobility Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Finance and Nobility: Explore medieval Genoa on a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
  • Historic Guided Tour of Christopher Columbus' House: $11
  • The City of Children and Young Museum Entry Ticket: $13
  • Historic Shops in Tour Through Tradition and Flavours: $15
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Center: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Inverness £23
    Genoa £8.86

Sample the Local Flavors in Inverness

Also in Inverness, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour : $203
  • Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,124

Sample the Local Flavors in Genoa

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Genoa:

  • Guided Eco Hiking and Sea View Wine Tasting in Portofino Park: $75
  • 3 Hour Pesto Making and Wine Tasting Activity in Campetto Genoa: $105
  • CAMOGLI: PRIVATE Ligurian Wine Tasting Experience and walking on National Park: $125


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Inverness and Genoa, we can see that Inverness 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness 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 Inverness Expensive? and Is Genoa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Inverness or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness 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 Inverness 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 Inverness or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Genoa. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Inverness is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Inverness in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Genoa. In the summer, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Inverness 14°C (58°F) 
    Genoa 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Inverness for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Inverness is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 9°C (49°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Inverness usually receives less rain than Genoa. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Inverness 9°C (49°F) 
    Genoa 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Inverness during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Inverness in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Inverness can get quite cold in the winter. Inverness is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in January than Genoa. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Inverness 3°C (38°F) 
    Genoa 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Genoa. Most visitors come to Inverness for the small town charm during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Inverness is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Inverness in April average around 7°C (44°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Inverness usually receives less rain than Genoa. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Inverness 7°C (44°F) 
    Genoa 15°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Genoa and Inverness

Inverness Genoa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 15°C (58°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 21°C (71°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 9°C (49°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 97 mm (3.8 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)