A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Verona vs. Genoa for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Verona or Genoa?

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

Should I visit Verona 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.

Verona

Verona is a stunning, romantic, and cultural city. 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's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Verona and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Verona or Genoa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Genoa than Verona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Genoa is more popular for its beaches, while Verona is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Verona is popular for its role as the setting of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. It is also home to The Via Garibaldi Palaces.

How is Verona different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Verona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While most people know Verona as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", there are also many unrelated but still impressive sights around town. Of course you must check out the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House and Balcony), but also make sure you visit the fortress of Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore.

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 Verona or Genoa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Verona and Genoa can be an enjoyable experience.

Verona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Food is a source of pride for the locals in Verona, and you'll find excellent dishes in most eateries, even those catering specifically to tourists. There are many local recipes that are worth sampling while you're in the area including risotto with tastasal, potato gnocchi, and polenta.

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 Verona or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find good options in both Verona and Genoa.

If you're looking for night time activities Verona has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene caters to a mature crowd and there is a heavy focus on regional wine. There are many local bars and traditional osterie (inns) where you can sip local wine or hear live music.

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 Verona or Genoa Better for Beaches?

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

You can check out the beach in Genoa. 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.

Verona is not a beach destination.

Is Verona or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Verona 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 Verona to see the historical old town. At the heart of the city is the old town, which is filled with medieval and Renaissance style architecture. It's easy to explore this beautiful area on foot.

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 Verona or Genoa?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Verona. The most well known shopping street is Corso Santa Anastasia, which has many antique shops as well as jewelry stores and high end boutiques.

Many visitors go to Genoa to go 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 Verona or Genoa Better for Families?

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

Verona is not the most family-friendly destination. You can head to the top of the the Lamberti Tower and, of course, check out the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Wandering the streets and grabbing gelato is also fun for the whole family.

Is Verona or Genoa Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Verona and Genoa make for a very good place to visit.

Verona is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. As the setting for Shakespeare's famed "Romeo and Juliet", this town is seeped in romantic history. In addition to checking out the classic balcony, couples can enjoy seeing an opera at Verona Arena or seeking out views of the beautiful city. Crossing the romantic Ponte Pietra is another must-do romantic activity in the area.

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 Verona or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a great port city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many 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.

Verona is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers rarely spend more than a day or two in town, but there are hostels in the area that offer cheap accommodation.

Is Verona or Genoa Better for Students?

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

Genoa is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Verona is a good city to visit for students. The city offers a more authentic Italian experience than some of the more popular tourist and study abroad destinations in Italy.

Is Verona 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, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Verona has a few public transit options. ATV operates buses through the city.

Is Verona or Genoa a more walkable city?

Verona and Genoa are very good when it comes to walkability.

Verona is a very walkable city. It's a compact city that's easy to explore on foot. Many locals get around by walking or biking.

Genoa is a very walkable destination. 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 Verona Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Verona?

How long in Verona or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Verona or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Genoa due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Verona, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

In Verona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This 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 Verona or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Verona. 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 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 Verona or Genoa?

Verona is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Verona. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Verona or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Verona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 colorful 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 10-Day Tours in Italy, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Verona and Genoa, we can see that Verona 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 Verona Expensive? and Is Genoa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Verona or Genoa?

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

Both Genoa and Verona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Verona for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Verona is around the same temperature as Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Verona in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Genoa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Verona. Verona usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during summer. Verona gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Verona usually receives more rain than Genoa. Verona gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Verona or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Verona during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Verona in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Verona is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Verona average around 14°C (57°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Verona often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Verona gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Verona usually gets less rain in October than Genoa. Verona gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Verona or Genoa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Verona and Genoa. Most visitors come to Verona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Genoa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Verona can be very cold during winter. Verona is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Verona averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Verona usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during winter. Verona gets 98 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Verona usually receives less rain than Genoa. Verona gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Verona or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Verona as well as Genoa. The spring months attract visitors to Verona because of the natural beauty. Additionally, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

In the spring, Verona is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Verona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Verona often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Verona gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Verona usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Genoa. Verona gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Verona