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

Should you visit Porto or Genoa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Porto and Genoa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Porto

Porto is a dynamic, historic, and cultural port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. 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 gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Porto and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Porto than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Porto, Porto has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Porto is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Genoa is more popular for its beaches. Porto is well known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira. Genoa is well known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Porto different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Porto or Genoa.

Many visitors head to Porto specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Genoa can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Porto or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Porto is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

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.

Is Porto or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Porto 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 Porto for the nightlife scene. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

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 Porto or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is adequate for its beaches. However, Porto 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.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Porto or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Porto 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 Porto to see the historical old town. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

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 Porto or Genoa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Porto and Genoa both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Porto. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

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 Porto or Genoa Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Porto or Genoa.

Porto is a very family-friendly destination. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

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.

Is Porto or Genoa Better for Couples?

Both Porto and Genoa are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Porto is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

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 Porto or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Porto, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

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.

Is Porto or Genoa Better for Students?

For students, both Porto and Genoa are excellent places to visit.

Porto is very popular with students. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Genoa is a great port city to visit as a student. 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 Porto or Genoa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Porto and Genoa both offer excellent public transit to get you around.

Public transit in Porto is fairly effecient and thorough. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

Genoa has some very good public transit options. 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 Porto or Genoa a more walkable city?

Porto and Genoa are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Porto is very walkable. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

Genoa is a very walkable port 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 Porto Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Porto?

How long in Porto or Genoa?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Porto 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 Porto.

One day in Porto or Genoa?

Each neighborhood in Porto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This port 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.

In Genoa, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. This port 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.

A weekend in Porto or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Porto. 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.

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

Five days in Porto or Genoa?

Porto is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Porto has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

A week in Porto or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the dynamic big city of Porto. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Genoa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, 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 Porto and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Porto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Porto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Porto 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 Porto.

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

Which is Bigger, Porto or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Porto 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 Porto 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 Porto or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Porto is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Genoa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during summer. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Porto usually receives more rain than Genoa. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Porto or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Porto during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Porto is cooler than Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Porto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Porto gets 184 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 Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in October than Genoa. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Genoa. Many visitors come to Porto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Porto is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Porto usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during winter. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Porto usually receives more rain than Genoa. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Porto or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Porto as well as Genoa. Most visitors come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. In the spring, Porto often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the spring. Porto usually gets more rain in April than Genoa. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Porto