Genoa

Understand

When visiting northwestern Italy (Milan, Turin) it is absolutely worth staying for a couple of days or a weekend in Genoa. The city is a good base to explore the Italian Riviera and world-famous places like Portofino and the Cinque Terre.

Genoa is a place where you discover daily new surprises, even if you stay for years. The city may be less known by major tourist operators, but its splendor is often hidden inside the narrow streets of the historical center, called "vicoli". Genoa is a sort of decayed glorious port town, whose decay, however, is what makes it so interesting and pretty. The façades of grand palaces are hidden in scruffy, yet enticing alleyways, and there are really curious treats for anyone in virtually every alley. The city is your "typical" Italian one - quite sunny (during summer), with Mediterranean-looking houses topped by slate roofs, filled to the brim with outdoor cafes and bars, with lots of tiny and quirky alleyways, elegant designer shops, and restaurants. Today, also, the old port has been renovated, and has some funky avant-garde modern architecture, a delightful marina, and several seaside bars and shops.

Climate

Getting there

By plane 1 Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA IATA). Provides several daily flights from major European cities such as Rome, London, Munich, Amsterdam, Paris and Madrid. From the airport, it is fairly easy to rent a car or take a bus to the city centre. The main airport bus, Volabus, drops off at the ferry terminal (Via Milano) and the two train stations. On the way back, it picks up only at the two train stations and near the Metro at Piazza De Ferrari. It can only be boarded with the METDaily 24-hour ticket which costs €10 (can be bought on the bus). However, this will then be valid for most public transport options in the city for connections and exploring (see “Get Around”). The Genova Airlink connects only to the nearby railway station. Taxis from the airport to the city center have a fixed rate (plus an extra fee for large groups and a per-person fee at night). (updated Sep 2025)

By train It is easy to travel to Genoa by train from Milan, Turin, Rome, Tuscany (Pisa, Livorno and Florence (changing train in Pisa or Viareggio)) and France (changing train in Ventimiglia). There are regular InterCity trains of Trenitalia every 1-2 hours per direction with regional trains running every 20-60 minutes in all directions. A direct ÖBB Nightjet night train runs several times a week from Munich and Vienna, taking 14 hr 20 min via Klagenfurt, Villach, Padua, Vicenza, Verona Porta Nuova and Milan Rogoredo to Genoa Piazza Principe, and continuing to La Spezia. There are two main train stations in Genoa. 2 Brignole serves most local routes and provides access to many bus lines. 3 Principe serves local and long-distance trains, and some trains from Milan and beyond will only stop at this station. If you are arriving at Principe and intend to walk to the port: mapping apps will try to send you down one of the Vicoli to along Via Del Pré. This is very direct but it is an intimidating area. Instead, follow Via Balbi until you reach a roundabout with a large church to the left. Turn right to take the main road of Via Delle Fontaine to the port area.

By car Coming from Milan you can reach Genoa via the A7-E62 (approx. 145 km). Mind though that the last part, from Serravalle to Genoa, is incredibly twisty, making you wonder if you’re still on the highway or accidentally have taken a wrong turn into a motordrome. It’s therefore advisable to take an alternative route, turning off the A7 at the deviation near Tortona and heading on the A26/A7, following Genova, Ventimiglia, Savona, Voltri; making it a longer (+20 km), but certainly safer and more comfortable trip

Getting around

By car Locals will say driving around the city is somewhat faster than public transportation (traffic jams at rush hours notwithstanding), but once you have reached your destination you are faced with the nightmare and frustration of looking for a nonexistent parking spot. It is not just chance that most locals switched from cars to scooters - to the extent that even finding a spot for a scooter has become difficult too. All attractions within the center are in walking distance or well served by public transportation, therefore a car is of no use at all. If you still decide to drive into the city, don't bet on available street parking (there are street parking fees anyway) go directly to a parking garage and hope not all of them are full. If you think of driving to the beach on a sunny weekend day within Genoa or in another town along the coast, forget it. Finding a parking spot in walking distance to your beach is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Use public transit instead.

Public transportation Public transportation will probably be your best bet within the city. The bus network is operated by AMT and services the whole city until 01:00. Be sure to check the routes and timetables you need because the system can be somewhat confusing, e.g. some routes only travel at certain times and are replaced by other similar ones with different numbers at those times. There is also an underground line connecting the main square, piazza De Ferrari, with the northwestern neighborhood of Rivarolo, serving the historical center, the Porto Antico tourist area, the Stazione Principe main train station and the ferry terminal at Dinegro along the route. There are also a number of public elevators and cable railways connecting the center with the neighborhoods on the surrounding hills. The upper stations of the Ascensore di Castelletto elevator and of the Funicolare del righi railway offer an astonishing view of the city. As is common in Italy, tickets are not sold on board (except at night or on Sundays, then at an increased price); you need to buy your ticket before boarding the bus at a newspaper kiosk or a tobacconist's or an underground station, and validate it at a punching machine once you have boarded the bus or on the platform of the Metro/funicular/elevator. If you own a smartphone, by far the simplest option is to purchase tickets through the AMT Genova app, which will load in English if that is your phone language. Tickets can be purchased with Apple Pay etc. without registering an account and will be immediately validated with a count down of the remaining vali

See

Old City

Genoa has one of Europe’s largest preserved historical centers, made up of an incredible number of tiny streets and alleys called Caruggi. Walking through it will plunk you right back to olden times when Genoa was the most important harbor of the Mediterranean sea.

1 Cristoforo Colombo house (In piazza Dante). The house where Columbus lived as a child. (updated Mar 2017) The impressive fortification belt built on the hills surrounding the city, originating in the 16th Century. 2 Spianata Castelletto. A nice belvedere where one can have a pleasant view of the city and of the seaport. It can be reached by public lift from Piazza della Nunziata or on foot from that very same square. (updated Mar 2017) 3 Via Garibaldi. also known as Via Aurea and Strada Nuova, Golden Street and New Street has very impressive baroque buildings. (updated Jun 2018) Some similar buildings are also found in Via Balbi. 4 The Old Harbour (Porto Antico) (north of the Aquarium). An entertainment area with museums, cinemas, cafés and also a beautiful promenade along the sea. (updated Mar 2017) 5 Lanterna di Genova, Access through Lanterna pedestrian promenade (800m) starting near the ferry terminal in Via Milano (100 m from bus stops; 400 m from "Dinegro" subway station; 1.5 km from Principe train station; 1.5 km from "Genova Ovest" highway exit), ☏ +39 349 2809485, [email protected]. Sa Su 14:30-18:30 (last access: 18:00). The prominent Genovese symbol since 1128: the second tallest traditional lighthouse in the world €6 full price; €4 reduced price. A lot of beautiful churches, some of which date back to the Romanesque time (San Giovanni di Pre', San Donato, Santa Maria del Castello) 6 Castello d'Albertis (D’Albertis Castle Museum of World Cultures), [email protected]. 7 Palazzo Ducale. Where the Dukes of Genoa used to live. (updated Mar 2017) 8 Cathedral of San Lorenzo. (updated Mar 2017) 9 Galeone Neptune, ☏ +39 010 247 6608. Replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon. (updated Mar 2017) 10 Via Balbi. Also has some similar buildings. (updated Jun 2018)

Museums

Art museums 11 Museum of Modern Art - Villa Croce. 12 Museums of Fine Arts - Strada Nuova. See both Palazzo Bianco (White Palace) and Palazzo Rosso (Red Palace). (updated Dec 2020) 13 Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art. The biggest European collection of Oriental art. 14 Museum of St. Augustine. A convent displaying various medieval works of art. 15 National Ligurian Gallery at the Spinola Palace. 16 Museum of the Ligurian Art Academy. 17 Museo di Palazzo Reale

Do

There are plenty of things to do in Genoa, although it is very advisable to visit in spring and summer. A lot of young kids spend their time playing with their friends in Parks found within certain antique Villas, some of them are also museums (i.e. Villa di Negro- oriental arts museum Edoardo Chiossone). Go for ice cream along the beaches and beach promenades. There are a lot of paintings in the town and on the brick floors which a lot of people admire. Fishing for catfish is also a hobby you might enjoy.

Via XX (venti) Settembre - Via San Vincenzo Genoa's main street Via XX settembre, is filled with cafes and high street fashion shops. Start from Brignole station and head towards Piazza De Ferrari. Via San Vincenzo, another popular shopping destination, runs parallel to Via Venti (as the Genoese call it) from Brignole.

De Ferrari - San Lorenzo/Centro Storico De Ferrari square lies in the heart of the city, surrounded by the Carlo Felice theatre, and Palazzo Ducale. Head towards Via San Lorenzo and get lost inside the Centro Storico. A bustling net of alleyways that gains its character from being close to the port and as such is a melting pot of cultures. You can breathe the Sea air and the port of a once-strong maritime republic. It is full of bars, shops, antique barbers (va canneto il lungo), butchers and restaurants. Get lost! (though you might want to take a map because you could get lost.) On Friday and Saturday nights, these alleyways fill up with people, excellent for bar crawling and living the night. Find its many chupiterias, to get speciality shots or find smaller more rustic birrerias. Occasionally you can find live bands on the streets or in many of the bars, especially by Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Luzzati.

Passeggiata Lungo mare Corso Italia - Boccadasse, Santa Chiara Take a walk along Corso Italia on a sunny day, this promenade along the sea is a must for the outdoor season. Suited for runners, roller blades, it also has a skate park, Giardini Govi, along its way. Just head south from Brignole Bus Station, along Viale Bisagno Brigate and then turn left, there the promenade begins. At the end of Corso Italia, there is a church and going down towards the sea you reach Bocadasse, a small beach surrounded by ice cream shops, little boutiques, and restaurants, with terraces over the sea. Adventure yourself along the "creuzäs", (small alley) ways to discover its villas and hidden coves.

Monte Righi - Castello Sperone Genoa is surrounded by hills, which have fortresses built under Napoleonic rule, to defend the city. You can rea

Buy

Genoa is great for shopping. You have the designer boutiques, department stores, food shops, and antique dealers. Downtown, for those who want luxury boutique browsing, you can find world class fashion along Via XX Settembre, starting from Piazza Ferrari. There are a lot of small, picturesque and tourism-related shops in the centre. These are mainly in the central squares and the small alleways. You can find souvenir stalls, kiosks selling books and snacks, sailor-themed stalls, traditional flea markets, modern and antique furniture dealers, little bookstores and tiny art galleries. There is a large shopping center called Fiumara located near Genova Sampierdarena train station. To reach Fiumara, take a local train to Genova Sampierdarena station and exit the station. Turn left and go under a bridge, near which there is a sign to the left for Fiumara. The shopping center is visible from the other side of the bridge and is about 10 minutes walk. The mall can also be reached by car or bus routes 1, 2, 4 and 22. The mall is open daily 09:00-21:00. Nearby there is a theater and activity center which includes a pool hall, bowling alley and restaurants.

1 Mercato Orientale (MOG), Via XX Settembre, 75. Lively covered market for produce and baked goods, with restaurants in the middle. Orientale here means "eastern", for the market's location in the eastern part of Genoa. (updated Oct 2025)

Eat

The vast majority of places charge service for a fixed amount per person (called coperto), as is customary in Italy. A trattoria, cafe or bar will not charge this fee for lunch, and this is often a good place to get pasta or a sandwich in the afternoon. Restaurants are open from approximately 12:30 - 15:00 for lunch and 19:30 - 22:00 for dinner. Pesto sauce originates from the city of Genova. It is used in many dishes, including pastas and pizzas. Another must try from the Genovese or Ligurian cuisine is focaccia, which is a flat oven-baked Italian bread that may be topped with onions, herbs, or other foodstuffs. Focaccie are quite tasty and often cheaper than pizzas. There are many 'focaccerie' scattered throughout Genova and its surroundings. These are basically take away places, and easy on the wallet, too. In many of the focaccerie, you will find improvised varieties of focaccie, but usually, the best tasting ones come with only tomatoes or onions and a bit of olive oil. The original "focaccia" is simply topped with olive oil, salt and a little bit of white wine Don't miss a chance to try farinata, a thin crusty pie made with chickpea flour, water, salt, and olive oil.

Budget

Around the Piazza De Ferrari 1 Trattoria Da Maria, Vico Testadoro 14 (close to Piazza de Ferrari), ☏ +39 010 581080. Traditional regional cuisine and a practical and crowded atmosphere. Possible opening for lunch only, no reservation. (updated May 2022) 2 Il Tempio Dell'Hamburger, Salita del Prione, 41R. (updated May 2022) 3 Il Masetto, Via di Canneto Il Lungo, 111. A Hamburger restaurant (updated May 2022) 4 Ristorante La Pietra Genova, Via di Ravecca, 20r. (updated May 2022)

Around Porto Antico 5 Osteria La Lanterna, Via San Siro 12R (close to Via San Luca and Museo del Risorgimento), ☏ +39 010 2461608. This restaurant offers mainly fish dishes. (updated May 2022) 6 Antica Friggitoria Carega, Via di Sottoripa, 113 r. A takeout restaurant (updated May 2022) 7 Il Ristoro dei Grimaldi, Vico San Luca 1_2r. A pizza takeaway restaurant (updated May 2022) 8 Pastificio Artigianale di Canneto, Via di Canneto Il Curto, 49. (updated May 2022) 9 Zimino, Vico delle Scuole Pie, 4. A Ligurian restaurant (updated May 2022)

Around the Galata Museo del Mare 10 Il Refettorio, Via Megollo Lercari, 39. (updated May 2022) 11 Taqueria Mamacita's, Via di Prè, 115/R. (updated May 2022) 12 Tierra Nuestra, Salita di S. Paolo, 16. An Ecuadorian restaurant (updated May 2022)

Around the MOG Mercato Orientale 13 Il Brigantino, Via Colombo, 67/r. (updated May 2022) 14 Panegirico, Via Col

Drink & nightlife

Piazza delle Erbe: small square in the old town, with nice bars (5 min. walking from Piazza De Ferrari and Palazzo Ducale) open until 01:00. On Fridays and Saturdays it is crowded with young people. . Riviera hotel Pl Area of Porto Antico. Down of piazza Caricamento and close to the Bigo there is a float restaurant with the nose of it being a night bar, with sometimes offering live music. Wide wood chairs to relax and see the sea in summer.

Sleep

Apartment Genoa (Manana), Salita San Nicolosio, ☏ +39 34864636. 2 interesting apartments ideal to explore the historical center (updated Nov 2018)

Budget Albergo Parigi, 72 Via di Pre. Cheap and basic and close to Genova P. Principe station. €40 per room. Hotel Nuovo Nord, Via Balbi 155, ☏ +39 010 2464470. Completely renewed, in the front of the railways station Porta Principe, all the main attractions are within walking distance. Youth Hostel, Via Costanzi 120, ☏ +39 0102422457, [email protected]. (to reach from the center by bus no. 40) Columbus Village Accommodations, Via XX Settembre 26/5, ☏ +39 010 8692029. An agency that rents local bed & breakfast accommodations in Genoa. They also rent accommodations in the surrounding area and short-let apartments. Hotel Villa Bonera, Via Sarfatti, 8, ☏ +39 010 3726164, fax: +39 010 3728565. B&B Casa Aurora, Piazza San Giorgio 32/12, ☏ +39 010 2541677, +39 340 6107251. In the city center of the old town. 1 B&B IL Vico, Vico del Dragone 4/6, ☏ +39 339 5753845. A B&B in Central Genoa. Single €60-90, double €80-120.

Mid-range Hotel Cairoli, P.zza Bandiera, 21 R. Situated in the historical center of the city and close to Porto Antico. Single room from €5, double room from €60. (updated Feb 2017) Hotel Minerva, Via Maragliano 34D, Santa Margherita Ligure, ☏ +39 0185 286073. The Hotel Minerva is located in Santa Margherita Ligure in a quiet area a short walk from the beaches €80-190. NH Plaza, Via Martin Piaggio, 11, ☏ +39 010 83161. This 4* hotel is in the heart of the financial district and is just a short distance from many well-known tourist attractions. Rooms from €95.

Splurge Locanda di Palazzo Cicala. Locanda di Palazzo Cicala has all the magic of a "hotel de charme". It is in the very heart of the historic city centre, opposite S. Lorenzo Cathedral, just a short walk from the Old Harbour, the Cotone Congressi congress centre and the art exhibitions in Palazzo Ducale. 2 Hotel Bristol Palace. Built in 1905, the hotel has hosted many notable guests such as Emperor Hirohito of Japan Best Western City. Hotel Savoia Majestic. Hotel Romantik Pagoda. AC Hotel Genova.

Go next

Genoa makes a good base to explore Cinque Terre, Rapallo, Portofino, Portovenere, La Spezia, or Chiavari. The French Riviera is not too far away, either.