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

Should you visit Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a dynamic, historic, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. 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.

Toulouse and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Toulouse than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Toulouse, Toulouse has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Toulouse is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Genoa attracts visitors for its beaches. Genoa is more touristy than Toulouse and is known for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Toulouse is famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also well known for Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Genoa and Toulouse.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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 Toulouse or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toulouse is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Toulouse is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Toulouse 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 Toulouse for the nightlife scene. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

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 Toulouse or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is adequate for the beach. However, Toulouse is not a beach destination.

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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Toulouse or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Toulouse to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

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 Toulouse or Genoa?

Toulouse 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 Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

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 Toulouse or Genoa Better for Families?

Both Toulouse and Genoa are high quality to visit with kids.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Toulouse. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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.

Is Toulouse or Genoa Better for Couples?

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

Toulouse is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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 Toulouse or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

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

Genoa offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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.

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Toulouse or Genoa a more walkable city?

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

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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 Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Toulouse or Genoa. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

In Toulouse, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. 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.

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 Toulouse or Genoa?

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

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 Toulouse or Genoa?

Toulouse is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Toulouse. Lots of people come for the food. 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 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 Toulouse or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the dynamic destination of Toulouse. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in 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 Toulouse and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Toulouse much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toulouse would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toulouse 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 Toulouse.

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

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Toulouse. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Genoa in the Summer?

Both Genoa and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the city activities 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.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 22°C (72°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 Toulouse. Toulouse usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during summer. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Genoa. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toulouse or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Toulouse during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the autumn, Toulouse is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulouse in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Genoa in the Winter?

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

In January, Toulouse is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 6°C (44°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Genoa. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toulouse or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Genoa. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Toulouse is cooler than Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Genoa. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Toulouse