A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Positano vs. Genoa for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Positano 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 Positano 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.

Positano

Positano is a charming, picturesque, and colorful Mediterranean village. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches.

Genoa

Genoa is a energetic, historic, and vibrant port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Positano and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Positano or Genoa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Positano. Although Positano and Genoa are popular destinations, Positano has more sights and attractions for tourists. Positano is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Genoa attracts visitors for its museums and nightlife. Positano is more touristy than Genoa and is known for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. It is also well known for The Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Genoa is famous for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Positano different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is great for its historical sights. However, Positano 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.

Positano does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Positano 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, Positano is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.

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 Positano or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Genoa is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Genoa has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.

Is Positano or Genoa Better for Resorts?

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

Positano offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.

Genoa is not a resort destination.

Is Positano or Genoa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Positano is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.

Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Positano or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

Positano has a beach worth visiting. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.

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 Positano or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Positano is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its historic old town.

Positano has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.

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 Positano or Genoa Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors go to Positano for the hiking trails. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Positano or Genoa?

Positano 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 Positano. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.

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 Positano or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Genoa. 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.

Positano is a family-friendly place to visit. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.

Is Positano or Genoa Better for Couples?

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

Positano has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon 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 Positano or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Positano is not as popular, but is still a nice Mediterranean village for backpackers.

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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Positano. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.

Is Positano or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Positano 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.

Positano is not popular with students.

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

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

The public transit in Genoa can get you to most 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.

Positano has a few public transit options. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.

Is Positano or Genoa a more walkable city?

Positano is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

Positano is a very easy Mediterranean village to get around on foot. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.

Genoa is very walkable. 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 Positano Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Positano?

How long in Positano or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Positano or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Positano due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Positano, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

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

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

Even though Positano is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the food. This Mediterranean village 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 Positano or Genoa?

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

Positano is a fun place to experience. Positano is a small town with plenty to do. Lots of people come for the food. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Positano or Genoa?

Positano might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. 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 food. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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 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 Positano and Genoa, we can see that Positano is more expensive. And not only is Genoa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Genoa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Genoa 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano than you might in Genoa.

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

Which is Bigger, Positano or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Positano 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 Positano 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 Positano or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Positano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Positano in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Positano is around the same temperature as Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Positano averages around 23°C (74°F) in July, 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 Positano. Positano usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during summer. Positano gets 313 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Positano usually receives more rain than Genoa. Positano gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Positano or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Positano during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Positano for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, 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, Positano is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Positano in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Positano often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Positano gets 189 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 Positano. Positano usually gets more rain in October than Genoa. Positano gets 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Positano or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Positano and Genoa. The winter months attract visitors to Positano because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In January, Positano is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Positano average around 8°C (47°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Positano usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Positano gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

Positano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Positano usually receives more rain than Genoa. Positano gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Positano or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Positano as well as Genoa. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Positano this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Positano is cooler than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Positano averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Positano often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Positano gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Positano usually gets more rain in April than Genoa. Positano gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Positano