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

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

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. 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.

Toulon and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Genoa?

You'll generally find more things to do in Genoa than Toulon. Genoa is bigger than Toulon, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Genoa is better known for its museums, food, and historical sights, while Toulon is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. Genoa is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Also, Genoa is famous for The Via Garibaldi Palaces. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Toulon different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Toulon or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Both Toulon and Genoa are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

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 Toulon or Genoa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Genoa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

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 Toulon or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is very good for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Genoa?

Toulon 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 Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

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 Toulon or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly port city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Toulon or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Toulon or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port 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 Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Toulon or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a well-known place for students. However, Toulon is not popular with students.

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.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Genoa is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port 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.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Toulon or Genoa a more walkable city?

Toulon and Genoa both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Toulon 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 Toulon, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Toulon. 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 Toulon. 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 Toulon 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 Toulon or Genoa?

In Toulon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this off-the-beaten-path destination offers. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Genoa. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Toulon or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulon. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toulon or Genoa?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Genoa. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toulon or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the real world destination of Toulon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Genoa. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Toulon 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 Toulon 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 Toulon or Genoa in the Summer?

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

In July, Toulon is generally around the same temperature as Genoa. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 24°C (75°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 Toulon this time of the year. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Genoa. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Genoa in the Autumn?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Genoa. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Genoa in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Toulon is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Genoa. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Genoa. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Genoa in the Spring?

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

In April, Toulon is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 13°C (56°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Genoa during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives less rain than Genoa. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Toulon