A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montpellier vs. Genoa for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Montpellier 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 Montpellier 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.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a friendly, historic, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a colorful, energetic, and historic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montpellier or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Montpellier than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Montpellier, Montpellier has more sights and attractions for tourists. Montpellier is very popular for its beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Genoa attracts visitors for its food. Genoa is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Montpellier is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. It is also well known for The Place de la Comédie.

How is Montpellier different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Montpellier or Genoa.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Montpellier. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Genoa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Montpellier or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Genoa is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Montpellier or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Montpellier or Genoa has a better nightlife scene.

Montpellier has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

If you're looking for night time activities Genoa has a few options to choose from. 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 Montpellier or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Montpellier. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

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 Montpellier or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier 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.

Montpellier has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

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 Montpellier or Genoa?

Montpellier 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 Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

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 Montpellier or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Montpellier or Genoa Better for Couples?

Montpellier and Genoa both great destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Genoa is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Is Montpellier or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier and Genoa are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Montpellier is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Genoa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Montpellier or Genoa Better for Students?

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

Montpellier is a great destination for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Montpellier and Genoa.

The public transit in Montpellier can get you to most places easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Visitors to Genoa can move around easily with public transportation. 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 Montpellier or Genoa a more walkable city?

Montpellier and Genoa both are great when exploring on foot.

Montpellier is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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 Montpellier Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Montpellier?

How long in Montpellier or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Montpellier or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Genoa due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Montpellier, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier 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 Montpellier.

One day in Montpellier or Genoa?

In Montpellier, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic port city of Genoa. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Montpellier or Genoa?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the colorful destination of Genoa. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Montpellier or Genoa?

Montpellier is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Montpellier. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The energetic port city of Genoa offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Montpellier or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Montpellier. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Genoa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montpellier and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Montpellier much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montpellier would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montpellier 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 Montpellier.

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

Which is Bigger, Montpellier or Genoa?

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

Both Genoa and Montpellier during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Montpellier in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Montpellier is around the same temperature as Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

In Genoa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montpellier. In the summer, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Montpellier gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montpellier and Genoa. Most visitors come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Genoa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Montpellier is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montpellier in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Montpellier usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during autumn. Montpellier gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montpellier gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Genoa. Montpellier gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Montpellier or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montpellier as well as Genoa. The winter months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

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

In the winter, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Genoa. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Montpellier are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Montpellier is cooler than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during spring. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montpellier usually receives less rain than Genoa. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Montpellier