A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Siena vs. Genoa for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Siena 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 Siena and Genoa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Siena

Siena is a charming, medieval, and history city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Siena or Genoa?

Both Genoa and Siena have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Siena is better known for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Genoa is more popular for its beaches. Siena is well known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Genoa is well known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Siena different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Siena and Genoa have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

Many visitors head to Siena specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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 Siena or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Siena and Genoa offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Siena makes for a great culinary experience. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Genoa has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 Siena or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Siena and Genoa.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

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 Siena or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a moderate port city for its beaches. However, Siena 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.

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is Siena or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Siena 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.

Siena has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

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 Siena or Genoa?

Both Siena and Genoa are notable shopping destinations.

Siena is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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 Siena or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Siena or Genoa Better for Couples?

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

Siena has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is notable for backpackers. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Siena or Genoa Better for Students?

Siena and Genoa are both excellent destinations for students and younger travelers.

Siena is very popular with students. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

Genoa is notable for its public transit. Also, Siena 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 is fairly effecient and thorough. 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.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Siena or Genoa a more walkable city?

Siena and Genoa both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

Genoa is a very walkable 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 Siena Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Siena?

How long in Siena or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Siena or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Genoa due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Siena, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

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

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

In Siena, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this history destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Genoa, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant 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 Siena or Genoa?

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

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

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 Siena or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the medieval destination of Siena. 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.

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 Italy, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Siena or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Siena 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 Siena 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 Siena or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Siena as well as Genoa. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Siena this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Siena is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Siena average around 23°C (73°F), 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 Siena this time of the year. In the summer, Siena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Siena gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Siena usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Siena gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Siena or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Siena are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Siena is cooler than Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Siena averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Siena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during autumn. Siena gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Siena usually receives less rain than Genoa. Siena gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Siena or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Siena during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Siena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Siena is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Siena in January average around 7°C (45°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Siena often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Siena gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Siena usually gets less rain in January than Genoa. Siena gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Siena or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Siena and Genoa. Most visitors come to Siena for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Siena is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Siena average around 12°C (54°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Siena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during spring. Siena gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Siena usually receives around the same amount of rain as Genoa. Siena gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Siena