A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Portimao vs. Genoa for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Portimao or Genoa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Portimao and Genoa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Portimao

Portimao is a active, scenic, and adventure-filled coastal city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Genoa

Genoa is a historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Portimao and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portimao or Genoa?

Both Genoa and Portimao have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Portimao is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Genoa attracts visitors for its museums, food, and historical sights. Portimao is more touristy than Genoa and is popular for it's dramatic and beautiful beaches and its many activities. Genoa is famous for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Portimao different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Portimao does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its restaurants.

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.

Portimao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many resorts have attached restaurants where visitors often find themselves dining. For a slightly more local vibe, you can check out one of the many restaurants around town. Much of the restaurant scene is centered around the Alvor District where you'll find unique options that serve local dishes mixed in with some international choices. The city is most famous for its grilled sardines, which are considered a local specialty.

Is Portimao or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Portimao 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 Portimao for the nightlife scene. The city's nightlife scene is mostly found around Praia da Rocha. It's a compact area that makes it easy to hop from bar to bar on foot. Particularly during the summer months you'll find plenty of parties and all night activities that draw a crowd. Sunset boat parties are also a popular activity in the area.

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 Portimao or Genoa Better for Resorts?

Portimao is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Genoa is not a resort destination.

Portimao offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The area has all types of resorts, from all-inclusive options to luxury or more family-friendly. Many of the resorts are surprisingly affordable and offer easy access to the beach.

Genoa is not a resort destination.

Is Portimao or Genoa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Portimao is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Portimao to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. The best water conditions are during the summer months but this is also when the beaches are crowded and swimmers can kick up a lot of sand. There are a variety of vendors where you can book snorkeling or diving trips in the area.

Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Portimao or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Portimao is terrific for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

The beaches in Portimao are among the best in the world. The stunning beaches are a major draw to the area. They are sandy and feature a backdrop of dramatic red cliffs. The most popular beach in town is Praia da Rocha, which can get crowded during the summer months, but it is quite large so you should still be able to find a spot. The strip behind the beach is lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and a casino. If you want to avoid some of the crowds you can make the walk down to Praia do Vau. Families often enjoy Praia de Alvor, which has a boardwalk that leads to Ria de Alvor nature reserve.

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 Portimao or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Portimao does not have a historic old town.

Genoa offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Portimao does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Portimao or Genoa?

Both Portimao and Genoa are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Portimao to go shopping. It's the second largest city in the Algarve so you'll find several large and modern shopping centers including Aqua Portimão.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Genoa. 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 Portimao or Genoa Better for Families?

Portimao 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.

Portimao is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. Kids will love the wide range of activities available near Portimao. They can kayak through caves, see an underwater world snorkeling, learn to surf, visit waterparks, explore nature parks, and more. There are activities that the whole family can enjoy, making this stretch of coastline the perfect option for those traveling with kids.

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 Portimao or Genoa Better for Couples?

Portimao is terrific for couples. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Portimao has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful stretch of coastline offers unique beaches and stunning outdoor activities. It makes a wonderful honeymoon destination for couples who enjoy adventure, pampering, and romantic resorts. There are great restaurants as well as places to relax or activities for thrill seekers.

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.

Is Portimao or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Genoa is a very popular port 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Portimao. Most people think of high end resorts when they think of the Mediterranean coast, but there are a couple of hostels available for backpackers. You should also consider transportation options. While buses are available, many visitors prefer to have access to a car so they can experience the outlying regions. The good news is the area in general is not particularly expensive so you can enjoy a touch of luxury at a lower cost.

Is Portimao or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a well-known place for students. However, Portimao is not popular with students.

Many students visit 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.

Portimao is not popular with students.

Is Portimao 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. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for times when you don't have a car.

Genoa offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Portimao. There are local buses around town but many routes don't run on weekends.

Is Portimao or Genoa a more walkable city?

Genoa is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its walkability.

Genoa is a very walkable destination. The old town, where most tourists spend the majority of their time, is easy to explore on foot.

Portimao is generally not a very walkable coastal city. While there are some nice walks along the coastline, the city is fairly large and spread out with many resorts located far from the center of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Portimao Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Portimao?

How long in Portimao or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Portimao or Genoa. In our opinion, Genoa has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Genoa than Portimao. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Genoa than Portimao 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 Portimao or Genoa?

In Portimao, many people enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling that this stunning destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the beaches. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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 Portimao or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Portimao. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Portimao or Genoa?

Portimao is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Portimao. Lots of people come for the beaches. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Portimao or Genoa?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the vibrant destination of Portimao. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the beaches. 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Portimao or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Portimao 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 Portimao 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 Portimao or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Portimao as well as Genoa. Many visitors come to Portimao in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Portimao is around the same temperature as Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

Portimao usually gets less rain in July than Genoa. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Portimao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Genoa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Portimao is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portimao in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In October, Portimao usually receives less rain than Genoa. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Portimao or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Portimao during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Portimao because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In January, Portimao is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 11°C (52°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Portimao usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Portimao and Genoa. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portimao this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Portimao is around the same temperature as Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In April, Portimao usually receives less rain than Genoa. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Portimao