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

Should you visit Marseille or Genoa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Genoa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a vibrant, colorful, and energetic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Genoa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Genoa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Genoa attracts visitors for its museums. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Genoa is famous for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Marseille different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Marseille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Genoa makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Marseille or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

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

Marseille is a must-see party destination. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

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 Marseille or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

Marseille has a beach worth visiting. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

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 Marseille or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

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

Marseille has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

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 Marseille or Genoa?

Marseille 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 Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

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 Marseille or Genoa Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Genoa does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille has Christmas markets worth visiting. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Genoa does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Genoa. 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.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Marseille or Genoa Better for Couples?

Marseille and Genoa are both superb to visit as a couple.

Marseille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

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 Marseille or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Marseille or Genoa Better for Students?

Both Marseille and Genoa are superb destinations for students.

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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.

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

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Genoa can get you to most places easily. 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 Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Marseille or Genoa a more walkable city?

Marseille and Genoa are superb when it comes to walkability.

Marseille is a very walkable destination. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

Genoa is very walkable. 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 Marseille Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Genoa?

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

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

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

In Marseille, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this vibrant destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This 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.

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 Marseille or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

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 Marseille or Genoa?

Marseille is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic 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 Marseille or Genoa?

You'll find nightlife and food around the energetic destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Marseille 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 Marseille Expensive? and Is Genoa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Genoa?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Marseille 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 Marseille 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 Marseille or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Genoa. The summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

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

In July, Marseille usually receives more rain than Genoa. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Genoa. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Marseille is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Marseille is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Genoa. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Marseille is cooler than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the spring, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Marseille