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

Should you visit Zurich or Genoa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Genoa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Genoa

Genoa is a historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zurich and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Zurich than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Zurich, Zurich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zurich is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Genoa is known for its beaches. Zurich is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also home to The Grossmünster. Genoa is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

How is Zurich different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Zurich and Genoa.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Zurich. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

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.

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

Both Zurich and Genoa offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

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.

Is Zurich or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Zurich 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 Zurich for the nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

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 Zurich or Genoa Better for Music?

Zurich is great for its music scene. However, Genoa is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Zurich draws a good crowd. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Genoa is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a moderate port city for the beache. However, Zurich 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.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Zurich or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

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

Zurich has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Zurich or Genoa?

Zurich is terrific for its shopping areas. Also, Genoa is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many people travel to Zurich specifically to go shopping. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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 Zurich or Genoa Better for Families?

Both Zurich and Genoa are great family-friendly destinations.

Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Genoa. 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 Zurich or Genoa Better for Couples?

Zurich and Genoa both great destinations for a couple.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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.

Is Zurich or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Genoa is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Genoa is a great port city to visit for backpackers. 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 budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Zurich or Genoa Better for Students?

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

Zurich is a great destination for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

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.

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

Both Zurich and Genoa offer great public transit options.

Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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 Zurich or Genoa a more walkable city?

Zurich and Genoa both are great when exploring on foot.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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 Zurich Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Zurich or Genoa. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Zurich due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

One day in Zurich or Genoa?

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

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 Zurich or Genoa?

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

Zurich is a fun place to experience. In Zurich, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Zurich or Genoa?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Zurich. 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 shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, 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 Zurich and Genoa, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Genoa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Genoa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Genoa 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Genoa.

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Genoa. Many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Genoa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Zurich is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Genoa averages at about 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 Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Genoa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Zurich is generally cooler than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Genoa. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zurich or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

The weather in Zurich can be very cold. Zurich is much colder than Genoa in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Genoa fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Genoa. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Genoa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Zurich is cooler than Genoa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Genoa averages at about 15°C (58°F).

Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Genoa. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Zurich