A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lagos vs. Geneva for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lagos or Geneva?

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 Lagos and Geneva. 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.

Lagos

Lagos is a vibrant, beautiful, and scenic resort town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Geneva

Geneva is a professional, classy, and diverse city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lagos and Geneva: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lagos or Geneva?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Geneva. Although Lagos and Geneva are both popular with visitors, Geneva has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Geneva is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Lagos is known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Lagos is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its dramatic beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also home to The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau).

How is Lagos different from Geneva?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lagos or Geneva?

Geneva is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Lagos or Geneva? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Lagos and Geneva offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lagos makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers some of the best food in the Algarve. The old town has plenty of restaurants that are both affordable and high quality. Seafood is the obvious choice, but you'll also find tapas, paellas, and local dishes such as cataplana (a seafood and chorizo stew). Most restaurants serve up a local fish of the day as well as prawns and other seafood items.

Geneva has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Nightlife?

Lagos is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Lagos know how to have a good time. The city has a mellow vibe, even at night, but that's not to say there aren't good parties going on, particularly during the peak of the travel season. There's a local charm to the nightlife scene here and you'll likely start to recognize other party-goers. Many of the bars are housed in character-filled old buildings which can feel a bit cramped, but that's all part of the charm.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Resorts?

Lagos is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Geneva is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Lagos for its luxury resorts. As a resort town, you'll find no shortage of places to stay in the area. If you don't have a car, your best options are in the historic center. If transportation isn't a concern, then you'll find plenty of great resorts in the Marina, Meia Praia, Dona Ana Beach, Camilo Beach, and Porto de Mós Beach.

Geneva is not a resort destination.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lagos is a great destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Geneva is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Lagos. With its unique rock formations and caves, there are many spots where you can snorkel or scuba dive nearby. There's also sparkling blue waters and plenty of marine life including lobster, shrimp, anemones, octopuses, and brightly colored fish.

Geneva is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Beaches?

Lagos is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

Lagos offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana. For convenience, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to town. Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the more quiet beaches, but it's still along a bus line. For beautiful nature head to either Praia dos Estudantes or Praia dos Pinheiros.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for its Old Town?

Geneva is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Lagos does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Geneva to see the historical old town. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Lagos does not have a historic old town.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Hiking?

Lagos is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Geneva is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Lagos. The city makes an excellent base for exploring some of the nearby hikes and walks. Favorite places to hike include the famous Ponte de Piedade Trail, which is the last part of the multi-day Fisherman's Trail. It takes you by many beautiful rock formations and scenic viewpoints. Another scenic hike is The Alvor Walkways, which is a series of boardwalks through sand dunes.

Geneva is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lagos or Geneva?

Geneva is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Lagos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lagos. The town has a long history of local artisan crafts. You can head to the seafront promenade and find local traditional items such as ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Families?

Lagos is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Lagos is very family-friendly. You can spend days hanging out on the beautiful beaches, but there are so many other activities that the whole family will enjoy. Explore the caves in kayaks, take surfing lessons, head for the zoo, or go dolphin watching. There are also plenty of playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants around town.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Couples?

Lagos is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Lagos is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The beaches and hotels in the area offer a truly romantic setting for couples, whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's weekend getaway. Spend some time on the beach or go kayaking through the caves. Get a spa treatment at a luxury hotel or go wine tasting through the countryside. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets on a sunset boat cruise while sipping a glass of local wine.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lagos is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lagos is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The area is a favorite for backpackers who come to hang out on the beaches during the day or party late into the night after the sun goes down. There are plenty of hostels around town and many offer a social vibe where it's easy to meet other travelers.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Students?

Geneva is well known for students. However, Lagos is not popular with students.

Many students visit Geneva. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Lagos is not popular with students.

Is Lagos or Geneva Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Lagos is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Geneva has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lagos. The area has buses, but they are limited in where they go. There is also reduced service on weekends and holidays.

Is Lagos or Geneva a more walkable city?

Geneva is well known for its walkability. However, Lagos is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

Lagos is not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to have a car as some areas are very hilly and many resorts are outside of town. Depending on your fitness level and motivation, you may be able to get by without a vehicle, but it is generally not recommended.

For even more information, also check out Is Lagos Worth Visiting? and Is Geneva Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Geneva or Lagos?

How long in Lagos or Geneva?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lagos and Geneva. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lagos than in Geneva. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Lagos, and 1-3 days is enough time in Geneva.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lagos than Geneva 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 Lagos.

One day in Lagos or Geneva?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Lagos. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Each neighborhood in Geneva has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the shopping. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Lagos or Geneva?

Lagos is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Geneva. 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 Lagos or Geneva?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lagos. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Geneva is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Geneva. Lots of people come for the shopping. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lagos or Geneva?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Lagos. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the classy big city of Geneva. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lagos and Geneva, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Lagos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lagos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lagos 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Lagos.

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

Which is Bigger, Lagos or Geneva?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Lagos and Geneva, 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 Lagos or Geneva?

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 Lagos or Geneva in the Summer?

Both Geneva and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

Lagos is a little warmer than Geneva in the summer. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Geneva fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite rainy in Lagos. In July, Lagos usually receives more rain than Geneva. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lagos or Geneva in the Autumn?

Both Geneva and Lagos during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lagos this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lagos is much warmer than Geneva. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lagos in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Geneva averages at about 14°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. Lagos usually gets more rain in October than Geneva. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Geneva in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Geneva. Many travelers come to Lagos for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Geneva in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Geneva can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lagos is generally much warmer than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 27°C (81°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In January, Lagos usually receives less rain than Geneva. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lagos or Geneva in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Geneva. Many visitors come to Lagos in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Lagos is much warmer than Geneva in the spring. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Geneva fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Lagos receives a lot of rain in the spring. Lagos usually gets more rain in April than Geneva. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Lagos