A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Trieste vs. Genoa for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Trieste 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 Trieste 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.

Trieste

Trieste is a energetic, diverse, and cultural city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Genoa

Genoa is a vibrant, colorful, and energetic port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Trieste and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Trieste or Genoa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Genoa than Trieste. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Genoa is very popular for its museums & sights, food, and shopping, while Trieste attracts visitors for its beaches. Genoa is more touristy than Trieste and is known 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. Trieste is famous for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Trieste different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

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

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

Genoa has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Trieste offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Trieste or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Trieste and Genoa.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Trieste. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Genoa has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Trieste or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

Trieste has a beach worth visiting. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

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 Trieste or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Both Trieste and Genoa have nice historic old towns worth visiting.

Trieste has an old town worth visiting. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

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 Trieste or Genoa?

Genoa is a port city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Genoa has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Trieste or Genoa Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Trieste. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

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 Trieste or Genoa Better for Couples?

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

Trieste makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

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 Trieste or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Trieste. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Is Trieste or Genoa Better for Students?

Both Trieste and Genoa are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Trieste. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

Many students visit 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.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Trieste and Genoa.

Trieste offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation 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.

Is Trieste or Genoa a more walkable city?

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

Trieste is a very walkable destination. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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 Trieste Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Trieste?

How long in Trieste or Genoa?

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

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

In Trieste, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this cultural 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, 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 Trieste or Genoa?

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

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 Trieste or Genoa?

Trieste is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Trieste. 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 Trieste or Genoa?

You'll find nightlife and food around the cultural destination of Trieste. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to Italy, The Best G Adventures Tours to Italy, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Trieste or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Trieste. When comparing the sizes of Trieste 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 Trieste 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 Trieste or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Trieste and Genoa. Most visitors come to Trieste for the beaches 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.

Trieste is around the same temperature as Genoa in the summer. The daily temperature in Trieste averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In Trieste, it's very sunny this time of the year. Trieste usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during summer. Trieste gets 288 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Trieste usually receives more rain than Genoa. Trieste gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Trieste or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Trieste as well as Genoa. The autumn months attract visitors to Trieste because of 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, Trieste is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Trieste in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Genoa averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Trieste often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Trieste gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Trieste usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Trieste gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Trieste or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Trieste are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Trieste this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Trieste is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Trieste average around 5°C (41°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Trieste usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Trieste gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Trieste or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Trieste during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Trieste for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Trieste is around the same temperature as Genoa in the spring. The daily temperature in Trieste averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Trieste often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Trieste gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Trieste usually gets more rain in April than Genoa. Trieste gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Trieste