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

Should you visit Oxford or Genoa?

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

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

Oxford

Oxford is a historic, scholarly, and collegiate college town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a vibrant, colorful, and energetic port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Oxford and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Genoa?

You'll generally find more things to do in Genoa than Oxford. Genoa is bigger than Oxford, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Genoa is better known for its food, beaches, and historical sights, while Oxford is more popular for its nightlife, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Oxford and is known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Also, Genoa is famous for The Via Garibaldi Palaces. Oxford is well known for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Oxford or Genoa.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oxford can be an interesting and educational experience. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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 Oxford or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Genoa is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Genoa. 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Oxford or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Oxford 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 Oxford for the nightlife scene. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

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 Oxford or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a decent place to visit for its beaches. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Oxford or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Genoa is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Oxford does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Genoa?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Oxford and Genoa.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Oxford. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Genoa offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Oxford or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Genoa is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Oxford. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Is Oxford or Genoa Better for Couples?

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

Oxford makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

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 Oxford or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Oxford or Genoa Better for Students?

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

Oxford is a great destination for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

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

Genoa is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Oxford, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

Is Oxford or Genoa a more walkable city?

Oxford and Genoa are superb when it comes to walkability.

Oxford is very walkable. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

Genoa is a very walkable college town. 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 Oxford Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Genoa?

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

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

Even though Oxford is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This college town 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 Oxford or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oxford. 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 Oxford or Genoa?

Oxford is a fun place to experience. Oxford is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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 Oxford or Genoa?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Oxford and Genoa, we can see that Oxford 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 Oxford Expensive? and Is Genoa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Genoa?

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

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

In July, Oxford is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 17°C (63°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during summer. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Oxford usually receives more rain than Genoa. Oxford 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 Oxford or Genoa in the Autumn?

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

Oxford is much colder than Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Oxford 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 Oxford. In the winter, Oxford is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Oxford in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Oxford usually receives less rain than Genoa. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oxford or Genoa in the Spring?

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

In April, Oxford is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 9°C (48°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Oxford