A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Genoa for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Melbourne or Genoa?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Genoa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a progressive, livable, and friendly city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a vibrant, colorful, and energetic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Genoa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Melbourne than Genoa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Melbourne is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Genoa is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Melbourne and is known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Melbourne is popular for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. It is also home to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

How is Melbourne different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Melbourne and Genoa.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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.

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

Both Melbourne and Genoa offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

Melbourne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Dining out in Genoa is an experience not to be missed. 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 Melbourne or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Melbourne for the nightlife scene. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

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 Melbourne or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is great for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Melbourne. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

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 Melbourne or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a popular place for its old town. However, Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Genoa. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Genoa?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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 Melbourne or Genoa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Melbourne or Genoa.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Melbourne is very family-friendly. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Genoa is known to be 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 Melbourne or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Genoa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Melbourne is a good city for couples to visit. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Is Melbourne or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many 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.

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Melbourne or Genoa Better for Students?

Melbourne is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Melbourne is a great destination for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Melbourne and Genoa.

Public transit in Melbourne can get you to some places easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Many visitors use the public transit system in Genoa. 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 Melbourne or Genoa a more walkable city?

Melbourne and Genoa are very good when it comes to walkability.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Genoa?

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

Couples should spend more time in Genoa than Melbourne. 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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Genoa?

Each neighborhood in Melbourne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Melbourne or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Melbourne or Genoa?

Melbourne is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Melbourne has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Melbourne or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the progressive big city of Melbourne. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Melbourne and Genoa, we can see that Melbourne 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. Even though Melbourne is in Pacific and Genoa is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Genoa?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Genoa?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Genoa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Genoa. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Melbourne is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during summer. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Genoain July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Melbourne or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Genoa. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In April, Melbourne is generally cooler than Genoain October. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Melbourne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoain October. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in April than Genoain October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Genoa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Melbourne is cooler than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 9°C (49°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in January.

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during winter. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Genoain January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Melbourne or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Melbourne during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the spring, Melbourne is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the spring, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Genoain April. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Genoain April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Melbourne