A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Naples vs. Genoa for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Naples or Genoa?

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

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

Naples

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

Naples and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Naples or Genoa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Naples than Genoa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Naples is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Genoa attracts visitors for its beaches and impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Naples is famous for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also well known for Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Naples different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Naples can be an interesting and educational experience. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

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 Naples or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Naples 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, Naples is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

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 Naples or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Naples 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 Naples for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

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 Naples or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a port city with a few options for the beach. However, Naples 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.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is Naples or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Naples to see the historical old town. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

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 Naples or Genoa?

Naples 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 Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

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 Naples or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Naples or Genoa Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Naples frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

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 Naples or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples and Genoa are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Naples is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

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 Naples or Genoa Better for Students?

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

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.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Is Naples 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 Naples and Genoa.

Naples offers a very effecient public transportation network. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

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.

Is Naples or Genoa a more walkable city?

Naples and Genoa both are superb when exploring on foot.

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy 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 Naples Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Naples?

How long in Naples or Genoa?

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

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

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

One day in Naples or Genoa?

Each neighborhood in Naples has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 Naples or Genoa?

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

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 Naples or Genoa?

Naples is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Naples. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Naples or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic big city of Naples. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 historic 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Naples or Genoa?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Naples 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 Naples 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 Naples or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Naples during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Naples because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

Naples is around the same temperature as Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Naples averages around 23°C (74°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 Naples. In the summer, Naples often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Naples gets 313 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Naples usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Naples gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Naples or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Naples and Genoa. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Naples this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Naples is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Naples in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

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

Naples gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Naples usually receives more rain than Genoa. Naples gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Naples or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Naples as well as Genoa. Many travelers come to Naples 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, Naples is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Naples average around 8°C (47°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

Naples receives a lot of rain in the winter. Naples usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Naples gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Naples or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Naples are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Naples in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

Naples usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during spring. Naples gets 189 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Naples usually receives more rain than Genoa. Naples gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Naples