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

Should you visit Tallinn or Genoa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn 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.

Tallinn

Tallinn is a whimsical, historical, and charming 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 food.

Genoa

Genoa is a vibrant, colorful, and energetic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Tallinn and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Tallinn than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Tallinn, Tallinn has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Tallinn is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Genoa is known for its food and beaches. Tallinn is more touristy than Genoa and is known for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. It is also home to The Old Town. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

The Old Town

How is Tallinn different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Tallinn and Genoa.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Tallinn can be an interesting and educational experience. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

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 Tallinn or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Genoa is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Tallinn area. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

Is Tallinn or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Tallinn 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 Tallinn for the nightlife scene. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

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 Tallinn or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a decent place to visit for the beache. However, Tallinn is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Genoa. 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.

Tallinn is not a beach destination.

Is Tallinn or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn 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.

Tallinn has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

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 Tallinn or Genoa?

Tallinn 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 Tallinn. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

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 Tallinn or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Genoa is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Tallinn. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

Is Tallinn or Genoa Better for Couples?

Tallinn and Genoa are both superb to visit as a couple.

Tallinn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

Couples visit Genoa frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Tallinn or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn 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 Tallinn, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

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 Tallinn or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

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.

Tallinn is popular with students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Tallinn and Genoa.

Tallinn has some very good public transit options. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

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.

Is Tallinn or Genoa a more walkable city?

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

Tallinn is a very easy city to get around on foot. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

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 Tallinn Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Tallinn or Genoa. In our opinion, Tallinn has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Tallinn than Genoa. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Tallinn or Genoa?

In Tallinn, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this quaint 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.

In Genoa, you'll find nightlife and food. This port city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Tallinn or Genoa?

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

In Genoa, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Genoa has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Genoa?

Tallinn is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Tallinn. 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 great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Tallinn or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Tallinn. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Genoa. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Genoa. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, 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 Tallinn and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Tallinn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tallinn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tallinn 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 Tallinn.

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Tallinn. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn 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 Tallinn 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 Tallinn or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Genoa. The summer months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the summer, Tallinn is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tallinn in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In Tallinn, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during summer. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tallinn usually receives more rain than Genoa. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tallinn or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Genoa. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tallinn is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 7°C (44°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tallinn 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.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tallinn. Tallinn is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around -5°C (22°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Genoa. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tallinn or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Tallinn during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Tallinn can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Tallinn is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tallinn in April average around 4°C (39°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Tallinn often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Tallinn