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

Should you visit Malaga or Genoa?

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 Malaga and Genoa. 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.

Malaga

Malaga is a beautiful, friendly, and welcoming port city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

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.

Malaga and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Genoa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Malaga. Although Malaga and Genoa are both popular with visitors, Malaga has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Malaga is more popular for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Genoa is known for its museums. Malaga is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. It is also home to The Alcazaba. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Malaga different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Genoa offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Malaga. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

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 Malaga or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Malaga is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

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 Malaga or Genoa Better for Music?

Malaga is great for its music scene. However, Genoa is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Malaga draws a good crowd. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

Genoa is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Genoa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Malaga has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

Malaga has a beach worth visiting. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

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 Malaga or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Malaga to see the historical old town. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

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 Malaga or Genoa?

Both Malaga and Genoa are good shopping destinations.

Malaga offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Genoa has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Malaga or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port 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.

Malaga is a family-friendly port city. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Is Malaga or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port 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.

Malaga is a good port city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Is Malaga or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Malaga, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Backpackers come from all over to 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.

Is Malaga or Genoa Better for Students?

Malaga and Genoa are both great destinations for students and younger travelers.

Many students visit Malaga. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

Genoa is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. 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 Malaga or Genoa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Genoa is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Malaga has some public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Is Malaga or Genoa a more walkable city?

Malaga and Genoa both are great when exploring on foot.

Malaga is a very walkable port city. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible 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 Malaga Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Malaga or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Malaga due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Malaga. 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 Malaga. 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 Malaga than Genoa 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 Malaga.

One day in Malaga or Genoa?

In Malaga, many people enjoy the live music and food that this welcoming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This port 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Genoa. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malaga or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malaga. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Genoa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Malaga or Genoa?

Malaga is a fun place to experience. In Malaga, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Genoa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Malaga or Genoa?

In Malaga, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this welcoming destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful destination of Genoa. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga 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 Malaga or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Genoa. Many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Genoa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Genoa. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Genoa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Malaga is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Genoa. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Malaga during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

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

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Genoa. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Malaga is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Genoa. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Malaga