Genoa, Italy: The Ultimate Travel Guide 2026

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Genoa, known as Genova in Italian, is a significant port city located in the north-western part of Italy. Serving as the regional capital of Liguria, it occupies a central position within this extensive coastal region at the upper portion of Italy’s geographical “boot.” With a history steeped in maritime importance spanning centuries, Genoa’s legacy as a potent republic endures. Presently, it remains a bustling commercial port, retaining certain facets of the characteristic bustling atmosphere associated with major maritime hubs.

However, Genoa has also embraced a cultural renaissance, notably earning the title of European Capital of Culture in 2004. The city has harmoniously blended its rich historical heritage with an eye toward the future, showcased through contemporary architectural marvels and the redevelopment of its harbor precinct. A visit to Genoa offers a tapestry of experiences - from marveling at contemporary, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture to admiring ornate palaces and exploring numerous museums and galleries. The city features trendy art cafes, invigorating boat excursions, and a prominent aquarium, thus offering an extensive range of activities suitable for a vacation or a brief getaway.

For those seeking a weekend escape, Genoa proves an ideal destination, teeming with attractions and easily accessible via budget-friendly flights to Genoa Airport. The airport is conveniently connected to the city center by a 20-minute bus journey. Additionally, Genoa serves as a strategic starting point or layover on a tour of the enchanting Italian Riviera. Travelers enjoying the charms of the area's delightful seaside resorts might consider adding Genoa to their itinerary, either on the way to or from the airport. An efficient railway network links Genoa to most coastal destinations within the region, encompassing villages like those comprising the Cinque Terre.

Positioned dramatically within its landscape, Genoa's commanding presence in the Mediterranean can be attributed in part to its captivating setting. The city's sweeping waterfront finds shelter nestled amid protective hills that encircle it. The name of the Doria family echoes throughout Genoa, recalling their dominion over the city, naval authority, and commissioning of many grand palaces. Another illustrious local name is that of Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo), the famed explorer, whose purported birthplace is a highlight in the city's historic town center.

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Visiting Genoa for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Genoa on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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21 Best places to See in Genoa

This complete guide to Genoa not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Genoa and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

1. Palazzo San Giorgio

Public Domain / Jensens

Palazzo San Giorgio stands at the edge of the old port, a former seat of civic power that later became a prison and, eventually, the headquarters of the Bank of Saint George (founded 1407), one of Europe’s earliest chartered banks. Its most memorable feature is the Renaissance façade, splashed with vivid frescoes of Saint George slaying the dragon—easy to admire even when the interior is closed for administrative use. Behind these walls, Marco Polo was held after the 1298 Battle of Curzola and dictated his travel tales to Rustichello da Pisa. A local review notes how the “yellow” palace is the one to look for, marked by that dragon portal.

Location: Palazzo San Giorgio, Palazzo San Giorgio, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Hours: Open every day except Sundays, from 9: 00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Only open from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm on Mondays. | Distance: 0.1km

Visiting Palazzo San Giorgio

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We recommend to rent a car in Italy through Discover Cars, they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies. Book your rental car here.

2. National Gallery in Palazzo Spinola

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Housed in a refined 16th-century palace commissioned by Francesco Grimaldi, the National Gallery in Palazzo Spinola pairs a preserved noble home with the National Gallery of Liguria. Moving through frescoed halls, grand salons, and smaller chambers, you see how successive families—Pallavicino, Doria, and Spinola—reshaped rooms to match changing tastes in the 17th and 18th centuries. The atmosphere stays domestic rather than “museum-like,” thanks to the 1958 Spinola donation that required the noble floors to keep their historic look. Upper levels, rebuilt after WWII damage and reopened in 1992, display paintings and decorative arts in a more traditional gallery setting. Visitors often remember the antique furnishings, ceiling frescoes, and the sense of a lived-in palazzo.

Location: Palazzo Spinola National Gallery, Piazza di Pellicceria, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Hours: Monday Closed Tuesday 13.30 – 19.00 Wednesday 9.00 – 19.00 Thursday 9.00 – 19.00 Friday 9.00 – 19.00 Saturday 9.00 – 19.00 Sundays and holidays Closed * | Price: € 11 | Website | Distance: 0.2km

Visiting National Gallery in Palazzo Spinola

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Here is a complete selection of hotel options in Genoa. Feel free to review each one and choose the stay that best suits your needs.

3. Cathedral of San Lorenzo

CC BY-SA 2.0 / VillageHero

Genoa’s Cathedral of San Lorenzo is a layered medieval church best recognized by its bold façade striped in black-and-white marble and framed by sculpted portals and a solemn portico. Inside, vaulted spaces and side chapels reveal centuries of additions, from Romanesque foundations to Gothic and later Renaissance interventions. Don’t miss the 15th-century Chapel of San Giovanni Battista, built to honor the city’s patron saint and its revered relics. An unsettling wartime detail sits in the right aisle: a preserved replica of an unexploded bomb from a 1941 air raid. From within the cathedral you can also enter the Museo del Tesoro to see manuscripts, reliquaries, and other sacred objects.

Location: Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Piazza San Lorenzo, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Distance: 0.2km

Visiting Cathedral of San Lorenzo

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4. Porto Antico

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Porto Antico is the revitalized old harbor district, where a once-industrial waterfront was reshaped into a public promenade and cultural quarter, largely through Renzo Piano’s redesign for Expo ’92. You’ll notice broad, pedestrian-friendly terraces lined with palms, cafés, and views across the working port, especially atmospheric after dark. The area clusters hands-on maritime and science experiences: the vast Acquario di Genova, the Nazario Sauro submarine you can board, and the full-size Neptune galleon replica. Between museums and play spaces, there are shops, playgrounds, and calm spots to sit by the water, with a steady buzz from events and markets.

Location: Porto Antico di Genova, Italy | Distance: 0.3km

Visiting Porto Antico

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Where to Stay in Genoa: An Area by Area Guide!

5. Doge’s Palace

Public Domain / Jensens

Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) is the former seat of the republic’s government, where rival families and elected doges shaped civic power for centuries. The complex layers medieval defenses with later redesigns: the late-13th-century Grimaldina tower still holds stark prison cells and tight stairways, while the palace was enclosed on all four sides in 1591 to form the arcaded courtyards and porticos you cross today. After a 1777 fire, Simone Cantoni gave the Piazza Matteotti façade its neoclassical calm, and the vast Maggior and Minor Consiglio halls retain their ceremonial scale. Now the grand rooms and courtyard spaces are animated by rotating exhibitions, conferences, and markets.

Location: Doge's Palace, Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Hours: Visits to the tower and prison 10:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 18:00. Mon closed. | Price: Tower and prison €5 | Website | Distance: 0.3km

Visiting Doge’s Palace

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Explore Genoa at your own pace with our self-guided walking tour! Follow our curated route to discover must-see sights and local secrets that makes Genoa one of the best places to visit in Italy.

6. Church of Jesus and the Saints Ambrogio and Andrea

Jesuit church of Santi Ambrogio e Andreaw

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Davide Papalini

Facing Piazza Matteotti beside the Doge’s Palace, the Church of Jesus and the Saints Ambrogio and Andrea is a Jesuit-built Baroque church with an elegant 1894 façade crowned by statues of Saints Ambrogio and Andrea by Michele Ramognino. Step inside and the atmosphere shifts to theatrical: the nave and dome are wrapped in energetic fresco cycles by Giovanni and Giovanni Battista Carlone, with gilded sculpture and glowing altarpieces pulling your eye upward. Above the main altar hangs Rubens’ “Circumcision” (1608), while Guido Reni’s “Assumption” anchors a side chapel. The blend of Ligurian decoration with Flemish and Roman painting makes the interior feel like a compact museum—yet still a working parish.

Location: Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea, Via di Porta Soprana, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Distance: 0.3km

Visiting Church of Jesus and the Saints Ambrogio and Andrea

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Click here to read our blog about Cinque Terre in One Day 2026: Complete Guide with Maps & Tips

7. Piazza Matteotti

CC BY-SA 2.5 / Alessio Sbarbaro

Piazza Matteotti is a broad, T-shaped public square in central Genoa, opening out at the foot of the Doge’s Palace, whose long wings frame the upper end like a stone backdrop. Despite busy streets nearby, it reads as an airy pedestrian space where seasonal markets and local fairs regularly set up. The square also works as a crossroads: Via San Lorenzo pulls you toward the cathedral, while Via di Porta Soprana runs alongside the Church of Gesù and points to the medieval gate. Beneath today’s paving lie much older layers—excavations uncovered a Roman house dating back to the 1st century BC and an inscription to Fortuna Redux.

Location: Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.3km

Visiting Piazza Matteotti

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Click here to read our blog about Italian Riviera Towns Guide 2026: Top Coastal Destinations in Italy

8. Aquarium

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Opened in 1992 for the Columbus-themed Expo, the Aquarium anchors the regenerated Porto Antico waterfront and pairs public exhibits with conservation and research. Inside long galleries of large tanks, you move from Mediterranean habitats to tropical displays, with close-up views of sharks, rays, jellyfish, penguins, seals, and dolphin pools in the Cetacean Pavilion. A memorable add-on is Renzo Piano’s floating steel-and-glass Biosphere: a spherical greenhouse above the water where rare plants, butterflies, and tropical birds share a humid micro-ecosystem. Visitors often remark on the sheer variety and the well-designed tanks, though crowds can be heavy at peak times.

Location: Acquario di Genova, Ponte Spinola, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, with last entry at 4:00 pm - Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9:00am to 8:00pm, with last entry at 6:00pm | Price: Adults from €22 | Website | Skip the Line Tickets Available! | Distance: 0.3km

Visiting Aquarium

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Explore Genoa at your own pace with our self-guided walking tour! Follow our curated route to discover must-see sights and local secrets that makes Genoa one of the best places to visit in Italy.

9. Piazza De Ferrari

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Maurizio Beatrici

Piazza De Ferrari is the city’s main crossroads, where tight medieval lanes spill into 19th‑century boulevards and the mood shifts from old-town bustle to Via XX Settembre’s Liberty-era elegance. At the center, Cesare Crosa di Vergagni’s 1936 bronze fountain throws up powerful jets that catch the light and draw cameras and meet-ups. The square is framed by civic and cultural heavyweights: the Palazzo della Borsa recalls the days of finance, while Teatro Carlo Felice pairs a neoclassical face with a thoroughly rebuilt, modern opera interior after wartime destruction. Come at dusk and you’ll often find a relaxed crowd lingering as street musicians play.

Location: Piazza De Ferrari, Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 0.4km

Visiting Piazza De Ferrari

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10. Santa Maria di Castello

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Santa Maria di Castello is a Romanesque church-and-convent complex set on the city’s earliest hilltop settlement, where reused Roman stone still appears in carved details. Inside the three-aisled basilica, vaulted spaces and frescoed chapels frame a dense display of sacred painting and sculpture, from medieval cycles to later Ligurian masters. The adjoining monastery unfolds through three cloisters, including a Renaissance Annunciation (1451) by Giusto da Ravensburg in the first courtyard. A small museum adds illuminated manuscripts, 15th-century fresco fragments, and an unexpected group of Russian icons. Despite its central location, it often feels hushed, with locals stopping to pray.

Location: Santa Maria di Castello, Salita di Santa Maria di Castello, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Distance: 0.4km

Visiting Santa Maria di Castello

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11. Via Garibaldi Palaces

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Via Garibaldi’s palaces form a tightly packed Renaissance showpiece in Genoa, created in 1550 as Strada Maggiore (later Strada Nuova) for the city’s richest families. Their painted façades turn the narrow street into an outdoor gallery of frescoes, crests, and sculpted details, while inside you’ll find grand staircases, ceiling paintings, and small gardens. These residences were once part of the Palazzi dei Rolli, a civic registry that assigned aristocratic homes to host visiting monarchs and ambassadors. Today several are open as the Strada Nuova Museums—Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco, and Palazzo Tursi—where art rooms and ceremonial halls culminate in treasures like Paganini’s Guarneri violin. UNESCO listed the ensemble in 2006.

Location: Palazzo Doria Tursi, Via Garibaldi, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Hours: From 1st Novemeber From Tuesday to Friday 9 am - 6.30 pm Saturday and Sunday 9.30 am - 6.30 pm Closed: Monday From 18 April from Tuesday to Friday 9 am - 7 pm Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 7,30 pm Closed on non-holiday Mondays Last admission one hour before closing | Price: The Genova Museum Card is a single ticket, valid for 24 hours , which allows you to access only once the 28 city museums, 19 civic museums and 9 non-civic museums, for the price of 15 euro inclusive of AMT public transport | Website | Distance: 0.4km

Visiting Via Garibaldi Palaces

12. Soianata Castelletto

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Spianata Castelletto is a high terrace above Genoa’s historic centre, prized for its sweeping 360-degree view over domes, towers, slate rooftops, and the working port. You can arrive via the early 20th-century Ascensore della Spianata Castelletto from Piazza Portello, a vintage Art Nouveau lift that rises gently above the tight streets. From the railing, the scene runs from the medieval old-town maze to Porto Antico, cranes, ferries, and the modern cruise terminal, with the Ligurian coast glinting beyond. The name recalls a fortress once stationed here, demolished in 1849, leaving an open platform that feels calm even as the city churns below.

Location: Spianata Castelletto, Spianata di Castelletto, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting Soianata Castelletto

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13. Porta Soprana

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Porta Soprana is a monumental medieval city gate marked by two hefty stone towers flanking a pointed, ogival arch—an early form that predates later Gothic fashion. Built in the mid-12th century as part of new defensive walls raised when Frederick Barbarossa threatened attack, it once controlled the main eastern entrance for arrivals from the Levant. Look closely at the marble columns and carved capitals around the passageway, where restoration in the early 1900s brought back crisp architectural details. Walking beneath the arch, you feel the scale of the fortifications in the weathered masonry, and it’s an easy, atmospheric spot to pause and take photos.

Location: Porta Soprana, di Soprana, Via San Pietro della Porta, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting Porta Soprana

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14. Christopher Columbus House

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Tucked beside Porta Soprana just outside the old medieval walls, this compact two-level house marks the site where Christopher Columbus is believed to have lived from 1455 to 1470. The building you enter is an 18th-century reconstruction, after the original was likely destroyed in the 1684 French bombardment, but it still conveys the scale of an artisan home. Downstairs, the space evokes Domenico Colombo’s wool-weaving and trading workshop; upstairs are simple rooms representing the family’s living quarters. A commemorative plaque on the façade underlines the site’s symbolic weight, and visitors often remark on how small the rooms are—watch your head on the low ceilings.

Location: Christopher Columbus' House, Via di Porta Soprana, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Website | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting Christopher Columbus House

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15. Oriental Art Museum

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Genoa’s Oriental Art Museum (Museo d’Arte Orientale Chiossone) is a compact, purpose-built rationalist museum by Mario Labò, tucked into the greenery of Villetta Di Negro above Piazza Corvetto, with glimpses toward the sea. It houses the Edoardo Chiossone collection—assembled by the Genoese engraver who worked in Meiji-era Japan and designed the country’s first modern banknotes—forming Italy’s earliest museum devoted entirely to Japanese art. Inside, visitors linger over ukiyo-e prints, samurai armour, bronze vases, Buddhist figures, masks, lacquerware, and a few Chinese comparison pieces. Reviews often note the small scale and that many labels are Italian-only, but the object variety and calm setting make the visit memorable.

Location: Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art, Piazzale Giuseppe Mazzini, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Website | Distance: 0.5km

Visiting Oriental Art Museum

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16. Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata del Vastato

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Santissima Annunziata del Vastato is a Baroque basilica whose interior feels like stepping into a gilded theater of paint, marble, and light. The vaults and chapels are saturated with 17th-century frescoes—especially by Giovanni and Giovan Battista Carlone—set against polychrome floors and heavy gold ornament that once prompted Charles Dickens to liken the effect to an enameled snuffbox. Look up to Andrea Ansaldo’s dome, where trompe-l’œil illusionism pulls your gaze into a soaring, painted architecture. Above the portal, Procaccini’s monumental Last Supper adds a dramatic focal point, while canvases by masters such as Strozzi and Cambiaso reward slower looking.

Location: Santissima Annunziata del Vastato, Piazza della Nunziata, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Distance: 0.6km

Visiting Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata del Vastato

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17. Galata Maritime Museum

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Set beside the old Darsena, the Galata Maritime Museum traces the city’s seafaring identity through immersive, room-by-room storytelling that feels like boarding a ship. Exhibits mix medieval charts and atlases with navigational instruments, ship models, and staged scenes that place objects in lifelike contexts. The standout experience is the Nazario Sauro, a decommissioned submarine moored outside—Italy’s only at-sea submarine open to visitors—where narrow passages and cramped controls make the technology tangible. An open-air archaeological port along the waterfront connects the displays to the working harbor that once powered the republic’s shipbuilding and trade. Families often linger at the interactive stations and the rooftop views over the port.

Location: Galata Museo del Mare, Calata Ansaldo De Mari, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Website | Distance: 0.8km

Visiting Galata Maritime Museum

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18. Palazzo Reale

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Palazzo Reale is a lavish 17th-century noble residence turned museum, built for the financier Stefano Balbi and later expanded by the Durazzo family before becoming a Savoy royal palace. Inside, the Grand Piano Nobile feels startlingly intact, with original furniture, frescoed ceilings, tapestries, and marble sculpture rooms that make daily aristocratic life feel close. The Gallery of Mirrors is the showstopper: glittering chandeliers, gilded ornament, and theatrical reflections that reward slow looking. Painting galleries add weight, with works by artists such as Van Dyck and Veronese. Step out to the hanging garden and terraces for a calm pause above the working port.

Location: Palazzo Reale, Via Balbi, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Website | Distance: 0.8km

Visiting Palazzo Reale

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19. D'Albertis Castle

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Anton Preziuso

Perched on a hilltop above the station district, D’Albertis Castle is a neo-Gothic residence turned museum built by sea captain and explorer Enrico Alberto D’Albertis, whose collections still fill the rooms like a personal travel diary. Inside, visitors move past nautical instruments, maps, and tributes to Christopher Columbus, then into “cabinet of curiosities” displays where exotic artefacts sit beside natural oddities. The architecture adds to the mood—Gothic arches, carved wood, and stained glass—while terraces and gardens frame wide views over the rooftops and port. Below, the older bastion holds additional ethnographic and pre-Columbian pieces, giving the visit a second, more archaeological chapter.

Location: D'Albertis Castle, Corso Dogali, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Distance: 1.2km

Visiting D'Albertis Castle

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20. Museum of the Lighthouse

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The Museum of the Lighthouse at La Lanterna pairs a small, interactive exhibition with a climb up the Mediterranean’s tallest lighthouse, a working beacon whose current tower dates to 1543. The main memory is the ascent—172 steps to the first panoramic terrace—where the harbour’s docks, cranes, and coastline spread out in a wide, wind-swept view. At the base, models, archival material, and multimedia explain how the structure doubled over time as a signal tower, defensive post, lookout, and even a prison. The lighthouse stands on a 40-metre rock, rising 77 metres more, and its light can reach about 57 kilometres out to sea.

Location: Lighthouse of Genoa, Rampa della Lanterna, Genoa, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Website | Distance: 2.1km

Visiting Museum of the Lighthouse

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21. Forte Diamante

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Crowning Monte Diamante at 667 metres, this hilltop fortress anchors the ridge between Val Polcevera and Val Bisagno, built to control approaches through the valleys. Commissioned by the Republic in the 1750s and completed in 1758, it later gained Napoleonic-era changes such as a defensive terrace where a pitched roof once sat, plus 19th-century Savoy additions like machicolations and a semi-circular stair tower. The interior is generally closed, but the exterior walls and bastions still read clearly against the scrubby landscape. What lingers most is the panorama—Ligurian Apennines behind, the city and a strip of sea ahead—reached by a steep, sometimes poorly marked hike that reviewers call invigorating.

Location: Forte Diamante, Sant'Olcese, Metropolitan City of Genoa, Italy | Distance: 5.9km

Visiting Forte Diamante

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Best Day Trips from Genoa

A day trip from Genoa offers the perfect opportunity to escape the urban rhythm and discover the surrounding region's charm. Whether you're drawn to scenic countryside, historic villages, or cultural landmarks, the area around Genoa provides a variety of easy-to-reach destinations ideal for a one-day itinerary. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

1. Camogli

Camogli stands out as one of the most enchanting and romantic towns in the Golfo Paradiso, nestled along the Riviera di Levante. This seaside village's allure lies in its breath-taking panorama: a picturesque marina embraced by historic buildings adorned with vibrant hues that line the seafront, complemented by the evocative remains of a medieval castle. The stunning seaside promenade, reminiscent of…

Visiting Camogli

2. Santa Margherita Ligure

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Michal Osmenda

Santa Margherita Ligure is situated on the Gulf of Tigullio, nestled between Rapallo and Portofino. Santa Margherita Ligure stands as one of Liguria's most renowned and beloved tourist destinations, capturing the hearts of visitors from around the world. Nestled within a protective bay along the stunning coast, this coastal town is often referred to as the "Pearl of Tigullio." This…

Visiting Santa Margherita Ligure

3. Portofino

Located to the south of the Italian city of Genoa, Portofino stands out as one of the most captivating destinations to explore in Northern Italy. Despite its relatively small size, it exudes an entirely picturesque and charming atmosphere. There are numerous excellent activities to engage in while in Portofino, all along the coastline. Our fondness for traveling in Italy is…

Visiting Portofino

4. Savona

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Roberta Salamone

Savona is a relaxed Ligurian port city on Italy’s Riviera di Ponente, where everyday seaside life mixes with grand waterfront views and a compact, walkable center. It’s an easy place to slow down: you can start with a coffee in a piazza, wander through arcaded streets, then end the day with a sunset stroll along the promenade as ferries and…

Visiting Savona

5. Monterosso al Mare

CC BY-SA 1.0 / Ilya Orehov

Monterosso al Mare, referred to as Munterussu in Ligurian, is a town and comune situated in the province of La Spezia, within the Liguria region of Northern Italy. It is one of the five villages comprising the Cinque Terre. Located at the centre of a small natural gulf, protected by a small artificial reef to the east of Punta Mesco…

Visiting Monterosso al Mare

6. Vernazza

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Med Cruise Guide

Vernazza, known as Vernassa in Ligurian and Vernasa in the local dialect, and derived from the Latin name Vulnetia, is a town and comune situated in the province of La Spezia, in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. It is one of the five towns that collectively form the renowned Cinque Terre region. As the fourth town when traveling north,…

Visiting Vernazza

7. Corniglia

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Cs.adri

Corniglia, known as Corniggia in Ligurian and locally referred to as Curnigia (citation needed), is a hamlet within the comune of Vernazza in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy. It has a population of approximately 150 people as of 2016. Unlike the other localities of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is not situated directly by the sea. Instead, it…

Visiting Corniglia

8. Manarola

CC BY-SA 2.0 / chensiyuan

Manarola, known as Manaea in the local dialect, is a small town located in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy. It is a frazione of the municipality of Riomaggiore and is renowned as one of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists. Despite being the second-smallest town in the area, it has a population of 353. The…

Visiting Manarola

9. Riomaggiore

CC BY-SA 2.0 / chensiyuan

The Via dell'Amore is a pathway that links Riomaggiore to its frazione, Manarola, which is also a part of the Cinque Terre. Riomaggiore, situated in a small valley within the Liguria region of Italy, serves as the southernmost village among the five Cinque Terre when traveling north from La Spezia. Dating back to the early thirteenth century, this village is…

Visiting Riomaggiore

10. La Spezia

La Spezia, positioned in the far-eastern reaches of Liguria, stands as the region's largest and most densely populated city. However, its allure lies not only in its intrinsic attractions but also in its proximity to the splendid villages adorning the enchanting Gulf of Poets. Often, La Spezia merely brushes against the bustling tide of tourists drawn by the illustrious charms…

Visiting La Spezia

Where to Stay in Genoa

Staying in the Old Port (Porto Antico) provides easy access to the city’s main attractions, including the Aquarium and Via Garibaldi’s palaces. For a quieter stay, Boccadasse offers a charming seaside village atmosphere just outside the city center.

A 2 to 3-day stay is enough to explore Genoa’s maritime history, historic streets, and local cuisine. A 4-day stay allows for visits to Cinque Terre, Portofino, or the Ligurian countryside.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Genoa. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

Genoa Accommodation Map

Best Time to Visit Genoa

Genoa, located in the Liguria region of Italy, is a vibrant port city known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and delicious cuisine. Here’s a guide to the best time to visit Genoa:

Spring (March to May): Spring is a lovely time to visit Genoa as the weather starts to warm up, and the city comes alive with blooming flowers and greenery. This season is ideal for exploring Genoa’s historic center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and wandering through its narrow medieval streets. Spring also offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking along the seaside promenade, visiting the city’s parks and gardens, and taking boat trips along the Ligurian coast.
Summer (June to August): Summer is peak tourist season in Genoa, with warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. This is the best time to enjoy Genoa’s beautiful beaches, including the sandy shores of Boccadasse and the rocky coves of Nervi. Summer also brings a variety of cultural events and festivals to Genoa, including the Genoa International Boat Show and the Genoa Aquarium Festival. However, be prepared for larger crowds and higher prices during this time.
Fall (September to November): Fall is another great time to visit Genoa, as the weather remains pleasant, and the summer crowds begin to dissipate. This season is ideal for exploring Genoa’s museums and galleries, such as the Palazzo Ducale and the Galata Maritime Museum, without the long lines. Fall also offers opportunities for food and wine tasting, as well as olive oil tours, in the surrounding countryside.
Winter (December to February): Winter in Genoa is relatively mild, with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists. While the weather may be cooler, winter still offers opportunities for exploring the city’s historic landmarks, such as the Cathedral of San Lorenzo and the Doge’s Palace. Winter is also a great time to indulge in Genoa’s culinary delights, including its famous pesto sauce, fresh seafood, and delicious street food.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Genoa depends on your preferences for weather, crowds, and activities. Whether you’re interested in history and culture, beach relaxation, or culinary experiences, Genoa has something to offer for every traveler throughout the year.

Annual Weather Overview

January 9°C
February 11°C
March 15°C
April 18°C
May 22°C
June 27°C
July 30°C
August 29°C
September 25°C
October 20°C
November 14°C
December 11°C

How to get to Genoa

Flying to Genoa

Genoa has its own airport, offering convenient access for travellers from the UK with flights operated by BA and Ryanair. The airport is situated just a few miles from the town, and there’s an hourly bus service connecting the airport to Piazza Acquaverde, right outside Genoa’s primary train station, Stazione Piazza Principe. This bus service, known as Volabus, offers a €4 ticket (which can be purchased from the driver) that remains valid for 24 hours of travel on Genoa’s public transport network. Additionally, you can find this special ticket available for purchase at select newsstands in town, allowing you to enjoy 24 hours of travel before your return journey. Sometimes, this ticket is sold with a useful brochure outlining tourist itineraries that utilize public transport.

Travelling within Genoa

Genoa’s public transport services are managed by AMT, and transport is included in the airline bus ticket and some combined museum tickets. You can also acquire cost-effective tickets valid for various durations from newsstands, tobacco shops, and ticket machines.

Genoa offers an exciting array of public transport options, and experiencing the town’s diverse modes of transportation can be an enjoyable adventure, especially if you’re traveling with children. In addition to buses, trains, and the underground Metro, you can take advantage of funiculars and lifts, including a unique lift that travels both horizontally and vertically through tunnels. The standard AMT ticket covers a half-hour boat journey from the Porto Antico to Pegli on the western coast of Genoa, where you can explore the gardens of Villa Durazzo Pallavicini, the regional archaeological museum, and a naval museum.