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

Should you visit Wellington or Genoa?

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

Should I visit Wellington 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.

Wellington

Wellington is a laid-back, funky, and compact city. 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.

Wellington and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Wellington or Genoa?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Wellington than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Wellington, Wellington has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Wellington is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Genoa is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Wellington is popular for its waterfront promenade, quirky cafe culture, and relaxing beaches. It is also home to Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Wellington different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Genoa offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Wellington. As the capital city, you'll find a number of museums and sights around town. Check out the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Beehive, the Wellington Museum, and the City Gallery.

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

Both Wellington and Genoa offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Wellington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are waterfront restaurants and a vibrant cafe scene around town. You'll also find local markets and many diverse eateries that you can explore.

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 Wellington or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Wellington 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 Wellington for the nightlife scene. The best nightlife scene is found along Courtenay Place. There you'll find nightclubs, pubs, and cocktail bars. Cuba Street is another fun area with a bit more of a local vibe, and the waterfront is another great nightlife district in the city.

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 Wellington or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Wellington is great for the beach. However, Genoa is not a good destination for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Wellington. There are nice beaches within walking distance of the city center. There are also beaches that are well worth the drive if you're looking to get a bit out of town. In the summer months, there are swimming beaches, and year around they have nice views and a good atmosphere.

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 Wellington or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a popular place for its old town. However, Wellington 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.

Wellington does not have a historic old town.

Is Wellington or Genoa Better for Hiking?

Wellington is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Wellington has hiking trails worth exploring. The area has rolling hills and beautiful coastlines that are filled with walking trails and scenic views. Some of the more popular trails in the area are the Red Rocks walk and the City-to-Sea walk.

Genoa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Wellington or Genoa?

Wellington 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 Wellington. For the city's best shopping, head to the "Golden Mile". This is the area defined by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place. There are boutique designers and high end fashion outlets throughout the area. The city also has many great markets and local shopping areas.

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 Wellington or Genoa Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Wellington or Genoa.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wellington is very family-friendly. There's the Wellington Zoo as well as Island Bay Marine Education Centre, both of which are great for animal-lovers. Waitangi Park is a nice park where kids can run around and play, and if you're looking for something indoors, head to the Space Place at Carter Observatory. If everyone needs some down time, there's always the beach with is fun to hang out at.

Genoa is known to be 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 Wellington or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Wellington 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.

Wellington is a good city for couples to visit. The botanical gardens are beautiful to explore, and there is also a bird sanctuary in the area as well. Couple's will also enjoy the many nice restaurants and beautiful outdoor space around town.

Is Wellington or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wellington and Genoa are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Wellington. Located on the south side of the North Island, many backpackers use this city as a gateway to the South Island. There are many hostels around town and other fellow 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 Wellington or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Wellington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Wellington is popular with students. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is a nice setting for students.

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

Visitors will find very good public transit in both Wellington and Genoa.

Wellington has some very good public transit options. There are city buses, trains, and ferries that are popular with tourists and locals alike.

The public transit in Genoa can get you to most places 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.

Is Wellington or Genoa a more walkable city?

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

Wellington is a very walkable city. This is one of New Zealand's most walkable cities and it has a compact city center.

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 Wellington Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Wellington?

How long in Wellington or Genoa?

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

Families should spend more time in Genoa than Wellington. 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 Wellington. 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 Wellington than Genoa 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 Wellington.

One day in Wellington or Genoa?

In Wellington, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this funky destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant port city of Genoa, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Wellington or Genoa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Wellington. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Genoa, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Five days in Wellington or Genoa?

Wellington is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Wellington. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Genoa, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Wellington or Genoa?

You'll find food and shopping around the laid-back destination of Wellington. Most people come for the beaches. 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 that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, 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 Wellington and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Genoa is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.

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

Which is Bigger, Wellington or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Genoa?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Genoa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Wellington or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Genoa. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Wellington is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Genoa averages at about 25°C (76°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Genoa this time of the year. In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Wellington usually receives more rain than Genoain July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Wellington or Genoa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Genoa. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In April, Wellington is generally cooler than Genoain October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Genoain October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets less rain in April than Genoain October. Wellington 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 Wellington or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wellington 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.

Wellington is around the same temperature as Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in January.

Wellington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Genoa during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Genoain January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Wellington or Genoa in the Spring?

Both Genoa and Wellington during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

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

In the spring, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Genoain April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in October than Genoain April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Wellington