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

Should you visit Pisa or Genoa?

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

Should I visit Pisa 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.

Pisa

Pisa is a world-famous, classic, and charming 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 energetic, historic, and vibrant port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pisa and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pisa or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Pisa than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Pisa, Pisa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Pisa is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere. It is also home to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

How is Pisa different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Pisa and Genoa.

Pisa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Many visitors head to Genoa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Pisa or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Pisa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

Dining out in Genoa is an experience not to be missed. 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 Pisa or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Pisa 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 Pisa for the nightlife scene. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

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 Pisa or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Pisa is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

Pisa has a beach worth visiting. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

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.

Is Pisa or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Pisa 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 Pisa to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

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 Pisa or Genoa?

Pisa 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 Pisa. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

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 Pisa or Genoa Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Genoa is very family-friendly. 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.

Pisa is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

Is Pisa or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is a great port city for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Genoa is a great port 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.

Pisa is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

Is Pisa or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pisa and Genoa are very good places to visit.

Many backpackers visit Pisa. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

Genoa is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Pisa or Genoa Better for Students?

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

Pisa is a great destination for students. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

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

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

The public transit in Genoa can get you around 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.

Pisa has a few public transit options. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Pisa or Genoa a more walkable city?

Pisa and Genoa are very good when it comes to walkability.

Pisa is a very walkable city. The city is a great place 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 Pisa Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Pisa?

How long in Pisa or Genoa?

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

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Pisa. 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 Pisa. 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 Pisa 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 Pisa.

One day in Pisa or Genoa?

In Pisa, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this world-famous destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Pisa or Genoa?

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

Pisa is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pisa. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful 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 Pisa or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 colorful 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pisa and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Pisa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pisa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pisa 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 Pisa.

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

Which is Bigger, Pisa or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Pisa 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 Pisa 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 Pisa or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Pisa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches 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, Pisa is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pisa in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Genoa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pisa. Pisa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during summer. Pisa gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Pisa usually receives more rain than Genoa. Pisa gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pisa or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Pisa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Pisa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Pisa is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Pisa average around 17°C (63°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Pisa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Pisa gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pisa. Pisa usually gets more rain in October than Genoa. Pisa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pisa or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pisa and Genoa. Most visitors come to Pisa 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.

Pisa is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Pisa averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Pisa usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Pisa gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Pisa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Genoa. Pisa gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pisa or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pisa as well as Genoa. The spring months attract visitors to Pisa because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the spring, Pisa is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pisa in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Pisa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Pisa gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Pisa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Pisa usually gets more rain in April than Genoa. Pisa gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Pisa