People often ask us what are the things to do in Genoa?. Since one of us (Enrico) is from there, it is not difficult for us to answer. Genoa is one of the most fascinating cities not just in Italy, but also in Europe. Spread between mountains and sea, its a city full of history and amazing spots.
How to get there
Genoa has an airport and many train stations:
- many flights connect the local airport with various European capital cities (Amsterdam, London, Munich, Paris, etc);
- alternatively, you can refer to the follo airports in the vicinity: Orio al Serio (in Bergamo) and Galileo Galilei (in Pisa). They are well connected with the biggest cities in Europe, and you can reach Genoa from there in about 2-4 hours by train then;
- in case you want to get there by train, check Trenitalia website in order to find out more about the timetables. The main stations in the city center are Genova Brignole and Genova Piazza Principe.
Check our Travel Resources page in order to discover how to find your perfect flight and save money!
10 things to do in Genoa
Now that you know how to arrive, lets dive in! We have prepared a list for you: save it and youll have enough things to see for at least 4 days.
Were gonna give you everything you need to know about this city. Genoa was once called La Superba (the Proud one), due to its glorious past. It was one of the 4 most important Maritime Republics in the Middle Ages it was the best one, actually! and it used to control many territories around the world: Europe, Asia, Central and South America and North Africa. A big part of the old town of Genoa was inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006. The citys rich cultural history allowed it to become the 2004 European Capital of Culture. Last but not least: the city is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Niccolò Paganini or Fabrizio De André! Genoa has one of the largest historical city centers in the whole Europe, full of medieval sights and continuous discoveries. It is know for its caruggi, a dialectal word for alley, that are crossing the old town. Its easy to get lost here, and we absolutely suggest you to do it! Its just one of the best things to do in Genoa. You will find authentic art galleries and old artisan and traditional shops (together with some small hidden brothels, but stay out of them 🙂 ). There are also plenty of small churches, nestled between the old buildings, that create an awesome atmosphere. Be sure not to miss the following streets: In case you get lost and you cannot find your way out, follow this advice: just go south, you will end up in front of the sea and the Old Port. From there, itll be easy to orientate. Reconstructed in the 1992, the Old Port is the perfect place for a stroll on a warm day. With an area of more than 230.000 square km, it is full of bars, ice-cream parlours and restaurants, together with some of the best known things to do in Genoa: In the Old Port you will find also the Aquarium of Genoa The entire visit lasts between 2 and 3 hours, and its really worth the quite expensive ticket of 25 Euro. Close to the aquarium you will find the Biosfera: its a 20-meter diameter sphere, in which they recreated the environment of a tropical forest. Its possible to find tropical birds, trees, plants and butterflies there. If you want to visit the Aquarium together with the Biosfera and the Galata Museum, you better buy a special ticket that includes all the entrances to these sights. You will save some money! We know that Milan is the capital of fashion and Genoa is not known in the world for its shops, but give it a chance. Among the things to do in Genoa, you better consider some proper shopping. Via XX Settembre is the heart of the local shopping, since its right in the city center. Its the longest and the largest street in the city, and full of clothes shops. You will find here whatever you like to dress! At the beginning of the street, there is a big covered market called Mercato Orientale (Oriental Market), in which you will find fresh groceries. From fresh fish to fruits and vegetables, its the perfect place to buy. If you arent on a budget (meaning: you can spend a lot of money), check the elegant exclusive boutiques in Via Roma. Bring your credit card with you! Genoa also has several funiculars, so try at least one of them. We absolutely suggest you to choose the one to Belvedere Montaldo at Castelletto. You will enjoy a spectacular panorama from the top of this terrace. For the gluttonous ones, there is also a good ice cream parlor. Boccadasse is one of our favourite places in Genoa. In Genoese dialect its called bócca daze, meaning donkeys mouth, from the shape of this small harbour. Founded around the year AD 1000, it is an old mariners neighbourhood. Its the typical Ligurian old village, made of brightly colored houses, narrow alleys, a small beach and boats everywhere. Its so romantic! Boccadasse is situated at the end of Corso Italia stroll, the main sea front street of the city. Walk Corso Italia all the way toward east and you will easily find it. Once you get there, there are two things to do: Located on the eastern part of Genoa, Nervi is one of the most beautiful, elegant neighborhoods of the city. Its known mainly for three things: Camogli is a bit far from the city center, but easily reachable in 20 minutes by car or with the local trains. Its an amazing place, so make sure to include it to the things to do in Genoa! See by yourself from the pictures below and in our gallery at the bottom of the post. Similar to Boccadasse, its a lovely coloured place, perfect for a walk at the sunset and having a swim. Its the typical fishermens village, with an ancient church and cobblestone alleyways all around. These narrow streets are called creuza in the local dialect. They will bring you from the center of the town straight to the sea. If its summer, you can spend an entire day in Camogli. Go there in the late morning and lie on the beach. For lunch, you can try the local Focaccia di Recco: its a delicious focaccia with the local sweet and sour cheese. In the afternoon, go explore the town with its beautiful harbour and old small castle. Take your time and enjoy a romantic aperitivo while watching the sunset. Why dont you do a boat tour? With Genoa by the sea its easy. There are various well planned tours, so you just need to choose the one you prefer. There is even a whale watching tour: check Whale Watch Ligurias website for additional info. The list of the things to do in Genoa is not finished yet. If you are staying here for more days, we definitely suggest you to visit the surroundings by boat. More posts about the surroundings are coming, so stay tuned. Genoa is famous in the world particularly for its more representative dish: pesto, of course! Its a delicious green sauce, that goes so good with pasta. Its made of basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese and extra virgin olive oil. You should really try it at least once: real pesto is different from that thing you can find in the supermarket. There are plenty of restaurants that offer different kinds of pasta with pesto: trenette, trofie, penne These are the 10 things to do in Genoa so far. Have we missed something? Leave a comment below and share the article within your friends!1. Get lost in the Old Town
Historical background
The old town in details
2. Old Port
3. Visit Aquarium + Biosfera
4. Do some proper shopping
5. Get high: Castelletto
6. Boccadasse
7. Nervi
8. Camogli
9. Boat trip from the Old Port
10. Eat Pesto
2 Responses
Amreen Virani
Thank you, found some unmentioned places.
Enri & Zuz
Were glad that you found the post useful! 🙂