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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Galway travel costs.

Genoa

Genoa is a historic, vibrant, and colorful port city. Genoa is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Genoa travel costs.

Galway and Genoa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Genoa?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Galway than Genoa. While Genoa is larger than Galway, Galway has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galway is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Genoa is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Genoa is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its maritime history, its vibrant cultural scene, and being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Galway is well known for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. Also, Galway is famous for The Galway Market.

How is Galway different from Genoa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Genoa is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Genoa is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Genoa Better for Nightlife?

Galway 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 Galway for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

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 Galway or Genoa Better for Beaches?

Genoa is a moderate port city for its beaches. However, Galway is not a beach destination.

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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or Genoa Better for its Old Town?

Genoa is a port city with good options for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Genoa?

Both Galway and Genoa are notable shopping destinations.

Galway is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Genoa. 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 Galway or Genoa More Beautiful?

Genoa is a port city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Galway is not a destination known for its beauty.

Genoa is a gorgeous place to visit. It's a beautiful port city that has many cathedrals, palaces, and piazzas that you can explore.

Galway is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Galway or Genoa Better for Families?

Genoa is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Galway or Genoa Better for Couples?

Genoa is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Genoa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Galway and Genoa are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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.

Is Galway or Genoa Better for Students?

Genoa is notable for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Genoa is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Galway or Genoa a more walkable city?

Galway and Genoa both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Genoa is a very walkable city. 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 Galway Worth Visiting? and Is Genoa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Genoa or Galway?

How long in Galway or Genoa?

It's fun to spend time in either Galway 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 Galway, and 2-4 days is enough time in Genoa.

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

In Galway, many people enjoy the shopping and museums 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.

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 Galway or Genoa?

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

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 Galway or Genoa?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Galway. 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, 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 Galway and Genoa, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Galway much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Galway would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Galway 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 Galway.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Genoa?

Genoa has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway or Genoa in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as Genoa. Most visitors come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Genoa because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Galway is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 16°C (60°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Genoa. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 295 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets more rain in July than Genoa. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Genoa in the Autumn?

Both Genoa and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.

Galway is much colder than Genoa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Genoa fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Galway. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than Genoa. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or Genoa in the Winter?

Both Genoa and Galway during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Genoa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Galway is much colder than Genoa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Galway in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Genoa averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets less sunshine than Genoa. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Genoa receives 127 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Genoa. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Genoa in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Genoa. Many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Genoa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Galway is generally much colder than Genoa. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 9°C (48°F), and Genoa fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Genoa during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Genoa receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives less rain than Genoa. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Genoa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Genoa and Galway