Things to do in Genoa Italy

Genoa is a maritime and culturally rich city that you must see on your trip to Italy. It has several monuments and particular places to visit. Such as medieval palaces, museums, cathedrals, among others, which make this city ideal for an excursion or a tour.

Genoa’s climate is another of its peculiarities as it is totally pleasant. Summers tend to be short but warm and sunny, winters on the contrary, tend to be longer, colder and rainy.

Even so, the best thing about Genoa is not its climate, but rather, everything you can see and do here. Also, its museums and palaces, are just some of the many wonders that this city has. According to make your tour easier here are some places that you simply can’t miss.

Things to see in Genoa Italy

Visit the Genoa Cathedral

Also known as the cathedral of San Lorenzo, is the most important church of the diocese of Genoa. Inside, you can appreciate elements of the fourteenth century. In addition, works of art such as the frescoes that adorn the ceiling of the north chapel, in addition to the ashes of St. John the Baptist.

On the other hand, its structure is striking, with a gothic style. Moreover, a combination of medieval and modern, as can be seen in the image. Finally, underneath the cathedral is the Museo Del Tesoro. Here, you can see and learn about the collection of jewellery and silverware from the 9th century to the present day.

See the Royal Palace of Genoa

Referred to as Palazzo Stefano Balbi, it is one of the most important historic buildings in the city of Genoa; located at via Balbi 10, within walking distance of the university campus and Genoa Piazza Principe station. Today, it is made up of the historic residence, the annexed garden and the art gallery, the Galleria di Palazzo Reale, which is perfect for those who appreciate art and history.

Genoa Aquarium

Have you heard of the Genoa Aquarium? Did you know that this aquarium is the largest in Italy and the second largest in the European Union? This aquarium is located on the Ponte Spinola, where the city’s port used to be. In this mesmerizing aquarium you can learn about aquatic biodiversity, its ecosystem, and biosphere. In addition, you can appreciate the city of Genoa with a 360° view by means of a panoramic lift 40 metres above the sea.

Piazza De Ferrari

Between the historical centre and the modern centre, Piazza De Ferrari is the main square of Genoa. It is situated in the centre of the city. Here we can find the colour changing fountain, the Ducal Palace, the seat of the Liguria Region, the palace of the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts, the Carlo Felice Theatre, the Stock Exchange building, the palace of Raffaele De Ferrari, Duke of Galliera, to whom the square is dedicated.

The enchanting thing about this square is the retro essence that it conveys when you see and appreciate all the structures and buildings around the place.

Boarding the Neptune Boat

Who hasn’t wanted to go on a pirate ship? Have you ever wondered what a pirate ship looks like inside? That curiosity you’ve surely been given by the movies we see in the cinema; Neptune is a replica of a 16th Century Spanish Galleon, which was used to film Roman Polanski’s movie “PIRATES”. This simple, family-friendly attraction will make you feel like a real pirate in search of Aztec treasure. Inside the attraction you can walk through the cannon vault and detail the internal structure of the cannon.

See the Lantern Lighthouse of Genoa

This lighthouse, also known as the lantern tower, is located on the Rampa della Lanterna in the port of Genoa, Italy. During your visit, you can learn how the lighthouse lighting system works from a tour guide.

The path to reach it is long and consists of many steps, which is why most travellers choose to appreciate the lighthouse from the sea and land. Unfortunately it is only available on weekends.

View beautiful Genoa from the Bigo viewpoint

If after visiting the aquarium of Genoa, you wish to see more of the incredible maritime landscapes of this city. Bigo is the ideal one, it is a viewpoint that will show you the beauty of the sea that surrounds Genoa. This viewpoint consists in elevating you to 40 metres by means of a lift and for only 4 euros it will allow you to appreciate the magnitude of this maritime city. Once up, you will be able to bring out the photographic talent that you have, standing out the panoramic photos. Located in the Old Port of Genoa, at Calata Cattaneo, 5, 16128, its opening hours do not usually vary and remain between 11:00 and 18:00, except on Mondays and weekends.

Botanical Gardens of the University of Genoa

For the more simple travellers, Genoa is the port and the aquarium. But, for those more adventurous and curious, there are hidden gems, whose charm goes beyond the sea. The charm is the green of the land and as it adorns the landscapes of Genoa. The Botanical Garden is one of those hidden gems, perhaps not as well known as the previous attractions, but certainly beautiful like no other.

Upon entering the garden, you are welcomed by a variety of plants, which, without a doubt, will make you feel like you are in a jungle. In addition, if you are a nature lover, more than a jungle, it will seem like an enchanted world, with an immensity worthy of Mother Nature, and a great variety of plants and flowers. In this enchanted place full of silence and peace. You will have tour guides who will show you one by one the wonders of the plants present there. Apart from this, you will be able to witness, through a theatrical act, the origin and growth of this garden.

Paradiso Gulf

This is a small Italian gulf located on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Genoa. In which you can perceive the maritime atmosphere that characterises this city. In addition, the scenery for those who like a quiet and natural environment.

The walls of Genoa

Its name reveals part of the history of Genoa, which had to implement walls as part of its defence to maintain the integrity of its citizens. That is why, if you visit Genoa you cannot miss this historical marvel. At first glance may seem simple but its extension and structure makes you want to find out more about it. It is located in Piazza Dante, 16121.

Visit Boccadasse Beach

Genoa being a coastal city, stopping at Boccadasse beach is a must as a good traveller and lover of seascapes. This beach is characterized by its colourful buildings and houses that are around it. It is ideal for a good plan in search of enjoying a summer holiday, as it guarantees you to relax, swim, rest, sunbathe and eat a homemade ice cream while enjoying the scenery that guarantees the Boccadasse beach.

Galata Sea Museum

It is a modern maritime museum with a submarine docked, in which you can appreciate the history and development of Genoa. The tour includes free audio, has educational activities, ideal for learning history and navigation. The price is affordable and well equipped for ample time in which to learn as well as enjoy.

See Palazzo Rosso of Genoa

It is a historic building and museum of the city of Genoa, which includes a large collection of art, architecture, fine arts, plus it has a panoramic view of the city that can be seen on the top floor. It is located on via Garibaldi.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Must-see streets in Genoa

Even the streets of Genoa keep an essence that makes you want to appreciate them for hours, such as the following:

Strade Nuove

A street steeped in history where you will find palatial estates, located on via Garibaldi. Here you can take impressive pictures of the streets and buildings that surround it, free of charge. It is worth mentioning that here you will also find the Palazzo Rosso, the Palazzo Bianco and the Palazzo Doria Tursi.

These palaces require a fee to enter, as they contain collections of Genoa’s own art, which helps to know and understand better the history of this Mediterranean city of Italy.

Rolli of Genoa

It is a street with history and almost artistic content, it is something common when strolling through the city of Genoa, in another city, it would be perhaps, an ordinary street, but in Genoa it is adorned with palaces located in the centre of this, in the northwest of Italy. In addition, a free tour guide will explain the history of each building and monumental structure that you can find here, in a seemingly simple street.

Via XX Settembre

A traveller’s favourite and one of the most important streets in Genoa, surrounded by prestigious shops, offices and the city’s most elegant bars. It starts in Piazza De Ferrari and ends in Piazza della Vittoria, from beginning to end this street is adorned with historical and elegant structures and imposing monuments that you can find, it is ideal for a quiet walk with a group of friends, enjoying it and why not finish the tour resting in a restaurant or cafe in this shopping street.

Itineraries of Genoa

Genoa, briefly and concisely described, is a city with a great cultural diversity. Both in art and history, in addition to the landscapes it offers, which is what every good traveller wants to know.

For this reason, in order not to miss any detail, below you will find a tourist guide of what to see in Genoa according to your stay in the city.

What to see in Genoa in 1 day

One of the advantages of this maritime city is that in one day, you can visit most of it, why? Well, the reason is that the most important tourist sites are close by, so you can walk around and appreciate the streets and historical buildings even better. You can take the following route:

• Strade Nuove Street
• Rolli de Genova Street
• Palazzo Rosso
• Palazzo Bianco
• Genoa Cathedral
• Treasury Museum
• Piazza de Ferrari

What to see in Genoa in 2 days

Being our stay in Genoa longer, the tour will be more extensive, complementing it with the tourist sites visited in one day, where we will try to address most of the tourist sites that gives us this coastal city, making the most of it.

• Genoa Aquarium
• Bigo
• Neptune
• Via XX Settembre
• Royal Palace of Genoa
• Galata Museum of the Sea

What to see in Genoa in 1 day cruise

It often happens that during your journey through Italy to a destination by means of a cruise ship you stop in a city like Genoa. Being so, you can also take advantage of it and visit it in a few hours while you wait. The ideal places to visit are the following:

• Genoa Walls
• Paradiso Gulf
• Genoa Lighthouse
• Botanical Garden of the University of Genoa
• Boccadasse Beach

How to plan your itinerary of the places you want to see in Genoa?

Download the passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way and according to the days and places you want to see in Genoa.

With the app you can:

• Be inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Save valuable information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
• Save your tickets and reservations.
• Organise your route on google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
• Know the best travel option for each place.
• Save and publish as you go along your own photos and experiences in each of the places, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip in Genoa? Visit my traveller profile on Passporter.

If you are interested in learning more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.

What to eat in Genoa

After visiting the tourist sites, you will undoubtedly want to know much more about this Mediterranean city, therefore, the typical food of Genoa will always be the best option, and with it the traditional Italian food that is characterised by its pastas and Genoa gives it the maritime touch. These are the most common dishes:

Pesto pasta

As its name suggests, it consists of pasta and pesto. This is a sauce from Genoa made with basil, cheese, pine nuts, garlic and olive oil.

According to experts, pesto pasta is a food that as you eat it, you like it more and more, to such an extent that you will want to take a plate of it home with you. You can buy it at the warm family restaurant Trattoria da Maria.

Focaccia

It is a kind of flatbread covered with herbs and other foodstuffs. That is part of the typical bakery of Genoa and the whole Liguria region.

It is so popular that it has spread all over the world, it is common to find this dish in the United States and Latin America. If you want to try it, the Genoese often recommend the restaurant Sciuscia & Sciorbi.

Pansotti

Pansotti are a type of pasta similar to ravioli but much larger. It is called pansotti because of its shape, as it has a pot-bellied shape and is filled with vegetables, usually accompanied with a sauce of walnuts and wild herbs.

Most travellers recommend the restaurant Pastificio Artigianale di Canneto, where you will find this dish and more types of traditional pasta. It is a very well located, inexpensive and high quality place.

Farinata Genovese

Also known as “farinata di ceci” is a popular traditional food in Genoa, it is a very simple and common recipe among sailors; it consists of a delicious and crunchy cake made of chickpea flour, water, oil and salt.

The ideal place to enjoy this dish is at the pizzeria “da Franz & Co” where the portions of farinata are large enough to share with friends or family and at a very cheap price!

These traditional dishes of Genoa are just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t be surprised if you find a great variety of typical dishes of this Mediterranean city such as: Trenette which is a kind of Genoese spaghetti, the Stoccafisso is another dish composed of cod with potato garnish. There is also the Cappon fina which is a tower of vegetables, fish, hard-boiled eggs, capers and other products topped with lobster meat, among other dishes.

Where to stay in Genoa

In case you want to spend a night, or several, in this northern Italian city. Don’t worry about where to stay, here are some of the best places to stay, based on travellers’ experiences. In order to make your stay in Genoa easy, fruitful and reliable.

Your House Rooms

It is an accommodation that offers room service, shared lounge, cleaning service, high speed internet (wifi), air conditioning, safe, children’s activities for children and family.

It is located in via Gropallo 4 Int.10, Piano 3, 16122, Genoa – Italy. According to travellers they give it a 5 star rating because they provide an excellent service. The staff is friendly and attentive, the place is spacious, the beds are very comfortable, well kept, good lighting. The food is varied and delicious, at an economical price for the stay.

Hotel De Ville

It is a 4 star, budget hotel, where there are different types of rooms to choose from, either with city view, sightseeing view, non-smoking rooms, smoking rooms available, and suites. The rooms have the following features; blackout curtains, soundproof rooms, air conditioning, cable/satellite TV, extra long beds, room service and housekeeping.

The hotel provides electric charging station for vehicles, children stay free of charge, free breakfast, bicycle rental, and babysitting. Travellers give it a 5-star rating, noting the good service and maintenance of the rooms. The quality of the service which was timely, the comfortable, clean beds and the location of the hotel which makes the tourist sites much closer.

Hotel Nuovo Nord

The Hotel Nuovo Nord is modern and mid-range, rooms include television, air conditioning, telephone, safe, refrigerator and minibar; guests can stay connected with free wifi. Non-smoking and family rooms are available, as well as luggage storage, children’s TV channels, and buffet breakfast. It is located at via Balbi 155/r, 16126.

Travellers give it a 4-star rating, noting that this hotel is ideal for those who are going to have a short stay, as the rooms are small, but comfort and cleanliness, good location, and excellent attention from the staff are paramount.