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

Should you visit Pamplona or Genoa?

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

Should I visit Pamplona or Genoa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Pamplona

Pamplona is a elegant, laid-back, and historic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Pamplona and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pamplona or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pamplona than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Pamplona, Pamplona has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pamplona is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, and big city activities, while Genoa is known for its museums, beaches, and impressive beauty. Pamplona is popular for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival. It is also home to The Running of the Bulls Festival. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Pamplona different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pamplona. Although most people visit in July for the Running of the Bulls, throughout the year there are some interesting museums and sights around town. You can check out the Cathedral of Pamplona, the Museo de Navarra, and the main plaza in town, Plaza del Castillo.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Pamplona and Genoa.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Pamplona. Local cuisine includes lots of fresh vegetables like mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus, and onion. You'll find many unique dishes in the area, and you shouldn't leave without trying the txistorra (sausage), revuelto de setas (eggs and mushrooms), and ajoarriero (cod).

Genoa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Pamplona or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Pamplona 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 Pamplona for the nightlife scene. There's a good sized university population that keeps the nightlife active around town. The Old Quarter is likely where you'll find the most going on, particularly around Calle San Nicolás and Calle Estafeta. Earlier in the evening the crowd is pretty young, but as the evening passes you'll find the crowd matures a bit.

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 Pamplona or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a moderate port city for the beache. However, Pamplona is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Genoa. 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.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Is Pamplona or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the good old towns in both Pamplona and Genoa.

Many people head to Pamplona to see the old town. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Genoa has an old town worth visiting. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Is Pamplona or Genoa Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is great for hiking. However, Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Pamplona for the hiking trails. It's a stop off on the famed Camino de Santiago, so if you want to walk part of the route, this is a nice place to explore.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pamplona or Genoa?

Both Pamplona and Genoa are good shopping destinations.

Pamplona offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find some good markets around town. It's also fun to shop for local handicrafts or souvenirs to remember your trip by.

Genoa has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Pamplona or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Genoa is a very kid-friendly port city. 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.

Pamplona is a family-friendly city. The city is very green, with many parks and gardens where kids can stretch their legs. There's also the Pamplona Planetarium and several museums that relate to environmental education.

Is Pamplona or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Pamplona is a good city for couples to visit. Although it's most known for the Running of the Bulls in July, the city also has some interesting sights at other times of the year. Couples can walk around the city walls, or explore the many parks in town. There are also some interesting museums.

Is Pamplona or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Pamplona and Genoa are very good destinations for backpackers.

Pamplona is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers are drawn to this city during July for the Running of the Bulls festival. It's also a stop along the Camino de Santiago, which brings in a young, budget-oriented crowd.

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.

Is Pamplona or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a well-known place for students. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Genoa is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Plenty of students visit Pamplona. This is a quiet city, which appeals to some students. The laid back atmosphere makes it a nice place to relax and learn.

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Pamplona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Genoa can get you to some places easily. 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.

Pamplona has some public transit options. There's a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Pamplona or Genoa a more walkable city?

Pamplona and Genoa both are very good when exploring on foot.

Pamplona is a very walkable city. It's a stop off on the Camino de Santiago, so many people arrive on foot. It's also an easy city to explore on foot.

Genoa is a very walkable destination. 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 Pamplona Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Pamplona?

How long in Pamplona or Genoa?

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

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

In Pamplona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The port city of Genoa offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Pamplona or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pamplona. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Genoa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Pamplona or Genoa?

Pamplona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pamplona. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Genoa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Pamplona or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the laid-back destination of Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Genoa is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona 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 Pamplona 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 Pamplona or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pamplona as well as Genoa. Many travelers come to Pamplona for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Pamplona is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pamplona in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Genoa averages at about 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 Pamplona this time of the year. In the summer, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Pamplona gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Pamplona usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Pamplona gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Pamplona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Pamplona in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Pamplona is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Pamplona average around 16°C (60°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Pamplona gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Pamplona. In October, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Genoa. Pamplona gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Pamplona or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Pamplona during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Genoa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pamplona is cooler than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Pamplona averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Pamplona often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Pamplona gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. Pamplona usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Pamplona gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pamplona or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamplona and Genoa. The spring months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the spring, Pamplona is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pamplona in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Pamplona usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. Pamplona gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Pamplona usually receives more rain than Genoa. Pamplona gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Pamplona