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

Should you visit San Sebastian or Genoa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian 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.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and beautiful city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

San Sebastian and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Sebastian or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in San Sebastian than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than San Sebastian, San Sebastian has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Sebastian is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Genoa is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. San Sebastian is popular for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. It is also home to La Concha Bay. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is San Sebastian different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Sebastian or Genoa?

Genoa is notable for its sights and museums. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around San Sebastian. Head to Castillo de la Mota for nice views and walks. Museo San Telmo offers an overview of Basque culture and Palacio de Miramar is another interesting place to visit.

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

San Sebastian 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, San Sebastian is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It is a famed culinary capital of not just Spain, but the entire world. The city has many Michelin-starred restaurants where you can experience modern or traditional recipes prepared by world class chefs. There are also pintxo bars, food markets, and gourmet food shops, that sell local ingredients and dishes. Much of the cuisine includes seafood, but you'll also find a local twist on traditional tapas. Dining is a true experience in this town.

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 San Sebastian or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian for the nightlife scene. You can expect a lively nightlife scene around town with many bars and places to hang out. Some of the best nightlife is found in and around Parte Vieja, Centro, Reyes Católicos and Gros.

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 San Sebastian or Genoa Better for Resorts?

San Sebastian is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Genoa is not a resort destination.

San Sebastian has a few great resort options. It's both a city and a resort vacation destination with many beachside resorts that are popular during the summer months.

Genoa is not a resort destination.

Is San Sebastian or Genoa Better for Beaches?

San Sebastian is great for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in San Sebastian. The city has three urban beaches that are a huge attraction during the summer months. For surfing and a lively atmosphere, head to the Playa de la Zurriola. The playa de la Concha is the most photographed and famous beach in town and Ondarreta is another beautiful option.

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 San Sebastian or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Genoa to see the old town. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in San Sebastian or Genoa?

San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian. A mix of familiar brands and locally made items make shopping a fun activity. You'll also find many artisan food shops around town where you can take home some local wine or other culinary treats.

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 San Sebastian or Genoa Better for Families?

San Sebastian and Genoa are both superb destinations for the whole family.

San Sebastian is a very kid-friendly city. This city is surprisingly family-friendly. Not only is there the beach, but there are playgrounds everywhere. There's also the fun Monte Igueldo San Sebastian Amusement Park and the San Sebastian Aquarium. You could also take a boat ride or explore the many parks and gardens around town. And, of course, there are the many ice cream shops to check out.

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.

Is San Sebastian or Genoa Better for Couples?

San Sebastian and Genoa are both superb to visit as a couple.

San Sebastian is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its nice beaches, stunning view points, and world class restaurants, this city makes an excellent couple's destination. There are Michelin star restaurants to dine in and many parks and gardens where you can take a stroll as well.

Genoa makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is San Sebastian or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both San Sebastian and Genoa are superb destinations for backpackers.

San Sebastian is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, and you'll find enough other backpackers looking to meet up so you'll never be lonely.

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.

Is San Sebastian or Genoa Better for Students?

San Sebastian and Genoa are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

San Sebastian is a great city to visit as a student. There are good educational programs in town, as well as nice beaches and a good student population. The locals are also welcoming and friendly.

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

Genoa is notable for its public transit. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Genoa can get you to some 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.

San Sebastian has some public transit options. There's a comprehensive bus system around town that's operated by Dbus.

Is San Sebastian or Genoa a more walkable city?

San Sebastian and Genoa both are superb when exploring on foot.

San Sebastian is a very walkable city. It's a great city for walking, with many pedestrian areas and places where you can take a stroll along the river or seaside.

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 San Sebastian Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or San Sebastian?

How long in San Sebastian or Genoa?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian.

One day in San Sebastian or Genoa?

In San Sebastian, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this outdoorsy destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the food. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Genoa. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in San Sebastian or Genoa?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Genoa. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in San Sebastian or Genoa?

San Sebastian is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of San Sebastian. Lots of people come for the food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic destination of Genoa. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in San Sebastian or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the outdoorsy destination of San Sebastian. Most people come for the beaches. 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 port city of Genoa. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, 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 San Sebastian and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is San Sebastian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Sebastian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian.

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

Which is Bigger, San Sebastian or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian 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 San Sebastian or Genoa in the Summer?

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

In the summer, San Sebastian is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Sebastian in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Genoa averages at about 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 San Sebastian this time of the year. In the summer, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Genoa. San Sebastian gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

San Sebastian usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. San Sebastian gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Genoa in the Autumn?

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

In October, San Sebastian is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in San Sebastian average around 16°C (60°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. San Sebastian gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. In October, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Genoa. San Sebastian gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Genoa in the Winter?

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

San Sebastian is cooler than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in San Sebastian averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, San Sebastian often gets less sunshine than Genoa. San Sebastian gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. San Sebastian usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. San Sebastian gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Sebastian or Genoa in the Spring?

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

In the spring, San Sebastian is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Sebastian in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

San Sebastian usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. San Sebastian gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, San Sebastian usually receives more rain than Genoa. San Sebastian gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and San Sebastian