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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Genoa?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Genoa? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a historic, vibrant, and high energy city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. 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.

Thessaloniki and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Thessaloniki than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Thessaloniki is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Genoa is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. It is also home to The Monument of Rotonda. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Thessaloniki different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Thessaloniki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a huge number of historic and archeological sights in the city. These include the Rotunda of Galerius, the White Tower, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, and the Arch of Galerius.

Many visitors head to Genoa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Thessaloniki or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Thessaloniki and Genoa both to be very good destinations.

Thessaloniki has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a huge culinary scene in the city, and you'll find everything from fun street food options to traditional tavernas and even some great international restaurants.

Dining out in Genoa is an experience not to be missed. 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 Thessaloniki or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki for the nightlife scene. It's the second largest city in Greece, and it has large student and tourist populations, so the nightlife scene is among the best in Greece. There are clubs, bars, and lounges that stay busy late into the night.

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 Thessaloniki or Genoa Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Thessaloniki and Genoa are decent choices.

You can check out the beach in Thessaloniki. Although the city's not known for its beaches, there are some places where you can relax by the water, particularly if you're willing to get a bit out of town.

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.

Is Thessaloniki or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a popular place for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Genoa. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Genoa?

Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki. There are shopping streets as well as large malls and shopping centers. You'll find everything from fashion, jewelry, and handicrafts to most European and international brands.

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 Thessaloniki or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki. The port city has a number of museums and attractions for kids including Dinosaur Park, the Noesis Science and Technology Museum, and the water park known as Waterland. There's also the fascinating Kapani Market that is fun to explore.

Is Thessaloniki or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Thessaloniki is a good city for couples to visit. It's a bustling city that is filled with history and excellent restaurants. Couples who enjoy history and fun cities will appreciate a visit here.

Is Thessaloniki or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Thessaloniki and Genoa are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Thessaloniki. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

Genoa is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Thessaloniki or Genoa Better for Students?

Both Thessaloniki and Genoa are very good destinations for students.

Thessaloniki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large student population in the city and you'll find a vibrant nightlife scene, easy transportation options, and a reasonable cost of living.

Genoa is very popular with students. 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 Thessaloniki or Genoa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Genoa can get you around 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.

You'll find some public transit in Thessaloniki, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

Is Thessaloniki or Genoa a more walkable city?

Genoa is an excellent place to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Genoa is a very walkable port city. The old town, where most tourists spend the majority of their time, is easy to explore on foot.

Thessaloniki is a somewhat walkable city. You can explore much of the city center on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Thessaloniki Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Genoa?

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

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

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

In Thessaloniki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this bustling destination offers. 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, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this energetic port city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Genoa?

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

Genoa is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Genoa?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful destination of Genoa. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Thessaloniki or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the bustling destination of Thessaloniki. 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 popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Genoa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Genoa. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Genoa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°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 Thessaloniki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during summer. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Thessaloniki usually receives more rain than Genoa. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Genoa. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Thessaloniki is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Thessaloniki often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Genoa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Thessaloniki is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Genoa. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Thessaloniki during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the spring, Thessaloniki is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Thessaloniki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in April than Genoa. Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki