Genoa, the capital of Liguria , is much more than just a large port city, as many consider it.

It is a city full of history , full of many contrasts and surprising wonders all to be discovered: it is a city of art but also an industrial city; it is the largest Italian port but offers large welcoming beaches; it has glass skyscrapers next to stone towers; it is a vertical city with its tall buildings and narrow alleys; it shines with dazzling light on the seashore and remains in the perennial shadow in the most hidden alleys; it is the city of painted facades but also of slate black.

Genoa is therefore not just a passing city where you can stay a few hours to visit the aquarium , to take a ferry or to make a stop towards the two rivers.

Here you can plan a short weekend break or even a longer stay . With the right information, no day will pass in Genoa without this wonderful city able to amaze you.

Genova-palazzo-san-giorgio

The area of the ancient port has been revolutionized in recent decades becoming a real living room of the city, full of clubs, culture and modern attractions.

Behind it you will admire the richness of this ancient maritime republic among its elegant baroque streets, ancient noble palaces and historic churches.

Genoa is the largest historical center in Europe , a veritable labyrinth of fascinating alleys. Long and narrow alleys on which the traditional Ligurian tower-houses, symbol of the city, stand out.

And right in these alleys you can still breathe the air that inspired the great Genoese songwriters , who made Italian song great.

Genova-de-ferrari

But if you already know Genoa on the surface or if you stop here for a longer stay, you can deepen your knowledge: many museums await you, one more interesting than the other, boat trips to spot cetaceans, gastronomic tours to discover of Genoese street cuisine .

If that’s still not enough for you, in the surroundings of the city, world-famous wonders await you: Portofino and the Gulf of Tigullio, the Abbey of San Fruttuoso , diving to admire the Christ of the abyss. And again, stroll along the Camogli seafront or go as far as the enchanting Cinque Terre .

When to go to Genoa

Genova-vicoli

A wonderful city 365 days a year.

Genoa is a city with weather conditions and costs that allow you to visit it all year round without making mistakes.

The climate here is Mediterranean, like all of Liguria: winters are always mild, much more pleasant than any other destination in northern Italy. Summers are hot but rarely extremely hot. Although the sun can beat strongly, Genoa is always rather windy .

Attractions and points of interest are numerous both indoors and outdoors, and the city’s events calendar is full throughout the year. Hardly a traveler visiting Genoa will be left with nothing to do.

However, the best months to enjoy Genoa are April, May, June, September and October . In fact, during this period you can stroll around the city and along the seafront with a very pleasant climate and all the places set up outdoor areas to enjoy moments of relaxation outdoors. In these months it is always possible to take a break on the beach and even go for a swim.

In the colder months the tourist flow drops considerably. The advantage is that you will certainly find flights and hotels at cheaper prices . Not to mention that even the queues at the attractions will be almost eliminated.
In the case of the Genoa aquarium you should never have problems with long queues apart from the holidays.

The coldest and windiest months are November, December and January.

What to see in Genoa

genova-porto-antico

The Aquarium of Genoa and the ancient port undoubtedly represent the busiest area in the whole city.

The Aquarium of Genoa is the largest aquarium in Europe and was built in the port area which in the 90s was the subject of a wonderful urban recovery by the Genoese architect Renzo Piano.

In this completely renovated part of the city, the inhabitants of Genoa are happy to go for a walk in the sun and visitors can discover many interesting attractions.

Galata museo del mare is particularly interesting: it is the largest innovative maritime museum in the Mediterranean, whose theme is the strong link between man and the sea. Very suggestive is the visit of the Nazario Sauro submarine which is moored right in front of the museum.

An hour-long boat trip also departs from the port area to discover the largest port in Europe and see it from a completely new point of view.

You will come to visit the “Lanterna” , the symbolic lighthouse of Genoa, which in any case can also be reached with a nice walk by the sea.

cattedrale-san-lorenzo-genova

Turning your back to the sea and the port, the ancient one opens up before you historical center of Genoa and if you decide to go inside, you will breathe in a very different atmosphere and beauty: through the charming carruggi of the historic center and past ancient stately palaces, you will discover real architectural gems.

The Rolli palaces, elegant palaces of the Genoese noble families, Piazza De Ferrari , Palazzo Ducale , the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and many other wonderful points of interest which we will talk about on the pages of this site.

What to see in Genoa

With its wide range of historical monuments and modern attractions, we have selected the truly must-see things to see during your stay.

Find out more

Genoa Aquarium

The Genoa aquarium with its 27,000 square meters of exhibition area is the largest aquarium in Italy, the third in Europe and the ninth worldwide.

Find out more

Galata Museum of the Sea

Galata Museo del Mare, with 12,000 meters of exhibition space, is a museum for everyone that allows you to travel through the extraordinary history of the relationship between man and the sea.

Find out more

What to do in Genoa: tours and activities

Where to sleep in Genoa

Genova-palazzi-colorati

The most comfortable areas to sleep in Genoa, especially if you choose to travel by public transport, are undoubtedly the historic center and the ancient port.

Choosing a hotel or apartment in this area is certainly advantageous for those who want to explore the city on foot and have all the main attractions close at hand.

If you really don’t want to stay in the busiest area, you can opt for a quieter area, such as “Castelletto” or “Albaro” , which are still within walking distance of the center.

The best hotels usually also offer parking spaces for a fee but if you have a car and want to stay a little further away from the center, it might be a good idea to choose to stay in Boccadasse a really charming and very charming area of Genoa. photographed.



Booking.com


How to get to Genoa

genova-panorama-aereo

Genoa is a very easy city to reach by any means of transport.

From any location you want to reach Genoa, there is certainly a motorway that will take you directly to your destination. Here are all the motorway sections of the city: A7 Milan-Genoa, A10 Ventimiglia-Genoa, A12 Livorno-Genoa, A26 Gravellona-Toce-Genoa.

Genoa is served by the Cristofono Colombo international airport about 7km from the center. To reach it you can opt for a taxi (15 minutes) or the shuttle (30 minutes). The terminal has low cost routes throughout the year and some in service only during the summer season.

Genoa has several railway stations, but the main ones are “Genova Principe,” which is the reference station from Milan and Ventimiglia, and “Genova Brignole,” on which trains from Rome and Turin arrive.

It is, finally, possible to reach the city by sea with ferries from the islands or with boats leaving from the main tourist resorts of the Eastern Riviera (Nervi, Recco, Camogli, San Fruttuoso, Portofino, Cinque Terre). Some routes are active 365 days a year, some only during the summer season.

What to see in the Province of Genoa

Portofino

In Portofino the clear sea reflects the pastel colors of the facades, the sky and the surrounding nature. All in perfect harmony.

Camogli

Unmistakable panorama: the enchanting marina, the colorful historic buildings on the seafront, the ruins of the medieval castle.

S. Margherita

Pearl of Tigullio.

Rapallo

In the center of the Tigullio.

Sestri Levante

The city of the two seas.

HOUSING IN GENOA
Discover the best Hotels, B & Bs and Apartments in Liguria based on thousands of verified reviews.