A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Taormina vs. Genoa for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Taormina or Genoa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Taormina and Genoa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Taormina

Taormina is a beautiful, exclusive, and opulent town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Taormina and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Taormina or Genoa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Genoa. Although Taormina and Genoa are popular destinations, Genoa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Genoa is very popular for its museums & sights and historical sights, while Taormina attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, beaches, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Taormina is famous for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Genoa is famous for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. It is also well known for The Via Garibaldi Palaces.

How is Taormina different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is a great port city for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

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

Both Taormina and Genoa offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

Taormina has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

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 Taormina or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Taormina 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 Taormina for the nightlife scene. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

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 Taormina or Genoa Better for Resorts?

Taormina is great for its luxury resorts. However, Genoa is not a resort destination.

Taormina is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Genoa is not a resort destination.

Is Taormina or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

Taormina has a beach worth visiting. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

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 Taormina or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a port city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Genoa has an old town worth visiting. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Taormina or Genoa?

If you're looking to go shopping, Taormina and Genoa both offer plenty of nice spots.

Taormina has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

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 Taormina or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a great port city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Taormina or Genoa Better for Couples?

Both Taormina and Genoa are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Taormina is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

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 Taormina or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a great port city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Taormina or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

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.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Genoa is a great port city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Genoa. 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.

Taormina has a few public transit options. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Taormina or Genoa a more walkable city?

Taormina and Genoa are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Taormina is a very walkable destination. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

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 Taormina Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Taormina?

How long in Taormina or Genoa?

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

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Taormina. 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.

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

Even though Taormina is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town 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 Taormina or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Taormina. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Taormina or Genoa?

Taormina is a fun place to experience. Taormina is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Taormina or Genoa?

Taormina is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, The Best Walking Tours in Italy, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taormina and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Taormina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Taormina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taormina 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 Taormina.

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

Which is Bigger, Taormina or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Taormina 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 Taormina 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 Taormina or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Taormina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Taormina is around the same temperature as Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 27°C (80°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 Taormina. Taormina usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during summer. Taormina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Taormina usually receives less rain than Genoa. Taormina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Taormina or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Taormina during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Taormina because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the autumn, Taormina is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Taormina in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Taormina 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 Taormina. Taormina usually gets more rain in October than Genoa. Taormina gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Taormina or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Taormina and Genoa. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Taormina this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Taormina is generally a little warmer than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Taormina average around 13°C (55°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

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

In January, Taormina usually receives around the same amount of rain as Genoa. Taormina gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Taormina or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Taormina as well as Genoa. Many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Taormina is around the same temperature as Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Taormina averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina this time of the year. In the spring, Taormina often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Taormina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Taormina usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Taormina gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Taormina