A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salzburg vs. Genoa for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Salzburg or Genoa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Genoa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a recognizable, historic, and beautiful city. 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 museums, nightlife, and live music.

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.

Salzburg and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Salzburg than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is very popular for its music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Genoa attracts visitors for its beaches. Salzburg is more touristy than Genoa and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Genoa is famous for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salzburg or Genoa.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

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

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

Dining out in Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Genoa. 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 Salzburg or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Both Salzburg and Genoa are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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 Salzburg or Genoa Better for Music?

Salzburg is terrific for its music scene. However, Genoa is not a live music destination.

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Genoa is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

The beach in Genoa is worth checking out. 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.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Salzburg or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

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 Salzburg or Genoa?

Salzburg is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to Salzburg specifically to go shopping. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg or Genoa Better for Families?

Salzburg and Genoa are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Genoa is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Salzburg or Genoa Better for Couples?

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

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Salzburg and Genoa are superb destinations for backpackers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Genoa is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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 Salzburg or Genoa Better for Students?

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

Salzburg is a great destination for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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

Both Salzburg and Genoa offer superb public transit options.

The public transit in Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Visitors to Genoa can move around easily with public transportation. 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 Salzburg or Genoa a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Genoa both are superb when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Salzburg or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Salzburg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

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

One day in Salzburg or Genoa?

In Salzburg, many people enjoy the live music and food that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This 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 Salzburg or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. 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 Salzburg or Genoa?

Salzburg is a fun place to experience. In Salzburg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint destination offers. 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 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 Salzburg or Genoa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the recognizable destination of Salzburg. 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.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Genoa. The summer months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

Salzburg is cooler than Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 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 Salzburg this time of the year. In the summer, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Salzburg is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Genoa. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Salzburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Genoa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Salzburg. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in January than Genoa. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Genoa. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Salzburg is cooler than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Genoa. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Salzburg