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

Should you visit Oslo or Genoa?

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

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

Oslo

Oslo is a progressive, park-filled, and green 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 historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Oslo and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Genoa?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Oslo than Genoa, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Oslo is better known for its big city activities, while Genoa is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. Also, Oslo is famous for The Royal Palace. Genoa is well known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Oslo different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Oslo and Genoa have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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 Oslo or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Genoa is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Oslo or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Oslo and Genoa.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Oslo or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a moderate port city for its beaches. However, Oslo is not a beach destination.

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.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is Oslo or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo 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.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or Genoa?

Genoa is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Oslo or Genoa Better for Families?

Oslo is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Oslo is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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 Oslo or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Genoa is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Oslo or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is notable for backpackers. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Oslo is a good city to visit for backpackers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Oslo or Genoa Better for Students?

Oslo and Genoa are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

Oslo is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

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

Oslo is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Oslo can take you anywhere. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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 Oslo or Genoa a more walkable city?

Oslo and Genoa both are superb when exploring on foot.

Oslo is very walkable. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

Genoa is a very walkable 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 Oslo Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Oslo or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Oslo due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Oslo, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

Families should spend more time in Oslo than Genoa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oslo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Each neighborhood in Oslo has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Genoa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Oslo or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oslo. 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Oslo or Genoa?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Genoa. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Oslo or Genoa?

You'll find nightlife and food around the park-filled big city of Oslo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The energetic port city of Genoa offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway, 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 Oslo and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Oslo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Oslo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oslo 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 Oslo.

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

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Oslo 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 Oslo 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 Oslo or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Genoa. The summer months attract visitors to Oslo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In July, Oslo is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 18°C (64°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Genoa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oslo this time of the year. In the summer, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Oslo gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Oslo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Oslo is much colder than Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Oslo gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oslo usually receives less rain than Genoa. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oslo or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Oslo during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Oslo 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.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Oslo. In the winter, Oslo is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oslo in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Oslo gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Oslo usually gets less rain in January than Genoa. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Genoa. Many visitors come to Oslo 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.

In April, Oslo is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 6°C (42°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. Oslo gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oslo usually receives less rain than Genoa. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Oslo