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

Should you visit Nantes or Genoa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes 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.

Nantes

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

Nantes and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Genoa?

Both Genoa and Nantes have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Nantes is very popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Genoa attracts visitors for its beaches. Genoa is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Nantes different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Genoa and Nantes.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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.

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

Nantes 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, Nantes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Nantes 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 Nantes for the nightlife scene. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

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 Nantes or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a decent place to visit for the beach. However, Nantes is not a beach destination.

The beach in Genoa is worth checking out. 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.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Nantes or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Nantes and Genoa both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

Nantes has an old town worth visiting. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets 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 Nantes or Genoa?

Nantes 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 Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

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 Nantes or Genoa Better for Families?

Nantes and Genoa are both superb destinations for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nantes. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Genoa is 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 Nantes or Genoa Better for Couples?

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

Nantes makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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 Nantes or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options 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.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Nantes or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Genoa is a great port city to visit as a student. 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.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Nantes and Genoa.

The public transit in Nantes can get you to most places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

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 Nantes or Genoa a more walkable city?

Nantes and Genoa are superb when it comes to walkability.

Nantes is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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 Nantes Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Genoa?

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

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

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

In Nantes, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this welcoming destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. 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.

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 Nantes or Genoa?

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

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 Nantes or Genoa?

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

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 Nantes or Genoa?

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

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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 Nantes and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Nantes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nantes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nantes 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 Nantes.

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

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Genoa?

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

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

Nantes is cooler than Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 19°C (67°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 Nantes, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives more rain than Genoa. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Genoa in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Nantes is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantes in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nantes for the museums, 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, Nantes is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 6°C (42°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nantes usually receives more rain than Genoa. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Genoa in the Spring?

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

Nantes is cooler than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Nantes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Nantes gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Nantes