A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Messina vs. Genoa for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Messina or Genoa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Messina and Genoa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Messina

Messina is a local, historic, and bustling port city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a colorful, energetic, and historic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Messina and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Messina or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Messina than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Messina, Messina has more sights and attractions for tourists. Messina is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Genoa is more popular for its museums & sights, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Messina and is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Messina is well known for being the entry and departure point to Sicily for those traveling by ferry. Also, Messina is famous for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Messina different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Messina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of historic sights around town including the Cathedral and the Piazza del Duomo, the Bell Tower and Astronomical Clock, Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, and the Regional Museum. There are also many ornate fountains around town.

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

Genoa is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Messina has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city's cuisine is a mix of the cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries. The city has a longstanding fishing industry and one of the most popular dishes are swordfish rolls. Also try the pidone (similar to calzones with different fillings), and the focaccia (a local bread).

Is Messina or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Messina 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 Messina for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the old town and you'll find a mix of locals and tourists hanging out in pubs and bars. During the summer months there are often free outdoor concerts to enjoy.

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 Messina or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Both Messina and Genoa are considered to be respectable beach destinations.

Messina is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly beaches in the area that are becoming more popular with tourists.

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.

Is Messina or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a port city with good options for its historic old town. However, Messina does not have a historic old town.

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.

Messina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Messina or Genoa?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Genoa and Messina.

Messina is a great destination for shopping. The best shopping is around Piazza Cairoli with the main shopping streets being Viale Europa and Viale San Martino. There are many small boutiques that have cheaper prices than some of the more upscale Sicilian towns.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Genoa. 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 Messina or Genoa Better for Families?

Both Messina and Genoa are high quality to visit with kids.

Messina is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number outdoor activities that kids will enjoy including Parco Avventura Dei Peloritani, which has ropes and obstacle courses. There's also the Karting Center, which is fun for the whole family, or a small aquarium in town. If you're looking for an excursion outside of town, head to Cascata Cataolo waterfall, which is very kid-friendly.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Genoa is very family-friendly. 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 Messina or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is well known for romance. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

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.

Messina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors see the city as an arrival or departure point for Sicily, but those couples who linger will appreciate a number of historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Messina or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is well known for backpackers. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Messina. If you're traveling by train or ferry, you'll likely arrive or depart from this city. There are a number of hostels and cheap guesthouses around town that offer affordable accommodation.

Is Messina or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is well known for students. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Messina. There are a few study abroad opportunities that bring international students to town. The city also have good transportation connections and a friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to students.

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

Genoa is well known for its public transit. Also, Messina is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation 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.

While Messina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. If your legs are tired then there's an efficient bus system that you can use.

Is Messina or Genoa a more walkable city?

Messina and Genoa both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Messina is very walkable. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot and the port is a ten to fifteen minute walk from Piazza del Duomo.

Genoa is a very walkable port city. 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 Messina Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Messina?

How long in Messina or Genoa?

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

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Messina. 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 Messina. 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 Messina 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 Messina or Genoa?

In Messina, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this local destination offers. 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.

In Genoa, you'll find nightlife and food. This port city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Messina or Genoa?

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

In Genoa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Genoa has to offer.

Five days in Messina or Genoa?

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

Genoa is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Messina or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the bustling destination of Messina. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Genoa. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Genoa. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Messina or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Messina. When comparing the sizes of Messina 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 Messina 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 Messina or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Messina during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Messina for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Messina is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 27°C (80°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

In Genoa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Messina. In the summer, Messina often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Messina usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Genoa. The autumn months attract visitors to Messina because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

Messina is around the same temperature as Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Messina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during autumn. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Messina usually receives more rain than Genoa. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Messina or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Messina as well as Genoa. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Messina this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Messina is a little warmer than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Messina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Messina often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Messina receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Messina or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Messina for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Messina is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 16°C (60°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during spring. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Messina usually receives less rain than Genoa. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Messina