Italy's largest seaport, home to Christopher Columbus and Niccolò Paganini, and a city full of medieval palaces... Welcome to Genoa! Now it is an administrative center with a population of about 500 thousand people, located in the north-west of Italy near the Ligurian Sea. Almost a thousand years ago there was a powerful Genoese Republic with overseas colonies.
Numerous architectural monuments, interesting traditions and, of course, hundreds of fascinating stories remain from those times. If you want to see this enchanting corner of Italy with your own eyes, explore hot tours 2024 and start packing your bags.
Transportation
The port of Genoa welcomes several million people from all over the world every year. A significant part of them are passengers of cruise liners traveling around the Mediterranean. Most tourists seeking to get to Genoa itself, choose for this Christopher Columbus International Airport, located just 6 km from the city center. It receives flights from all major cities not only in Europe, but also in the world. We tell you why you should definitely visit Italy, here here.
If you are already in Italy and are looking for a way to get to Genoa quickly, opt for trains. This mode of transportation has many advantages. The railroad connects this city with Rome, Milan and Turin, among others. You can get there from the capital from the capital in just six hours. Genoa itself has a well-developed network of buses and subways, one line of which pierces the entire city, connecting the historic center, train stations and residential areas. But it is better to move around the city on foot, otherwise you risk missing all the most interesting things. If you do decide to rent a car, then first read our material with tips.
And lastly, let's talk about an unexpected means of transportation - the Zecca-Righi funicular. In one trip on this amazing mode of transport you will move from the center to the top of the hill, admiring Genoa from an unusual angle on the way. Keep in mind that the funicular is quite slow, but at the end of the ride you'll find a picturesque park and breathtaking views.
Housing
There are plenty of accommodation options in Genoa. If you come to the city for a few days, choose one of the hotels in the historical part. Thus, the road to the most interesting places will take only a few minutes. A room in the luxurious Hotel Bristol Palace (antique furniture, unique staircase and impeccable service!) will cost from $200 per night. There are cheaper options.
For example, the modern and minimalist URBANFLORA, nestled a kilometer from the beach, offers a room for two for $120. The historic building comes with it too! The most budget-friendly way is a room in a hostel. For a single room in B&B LE TRE ISOLE just 2 km from the center will ask $40. Apartments are the golden mean. Appartamento La Città Vecchia offers a room for $70: bedroom, kitchen, bath and living area. And 2 km to the beach!
Nutrition
It should not be forgotten that Genoa is part of Italy, but the local cuisine has its own peculiarities. The culinary traditions of Roman legionaries, Jesuit monks and Genoese sailors are mixed here. By the way, about everything you need to know before traveling to Italy, told in a separate material.
Start your journey by finding the perfect focaccia. This doughy flatbread is prepared literally on every corner and in different ways. Cheese, olives, tomatoes or meat - almost any ingredient can be a filling. Come to Pan Per Focaccia Genova or any other place with the word focaccia in its name and try it!
The next item on the program is farinata. This thin flatbread made of chickpea flour has saved local sailors from hunger many times. Stop by Farinata Santa Zita and try this simple but hearty dish along with other appetizers. And no seafood - we're in port! The freshest fish, shrimp and squid in Genoa are deep-fried, added to pasta and simply served fried. The best options are the restaurants near the sea, such as I Cuochi.
Don't forget the dessert! Panna cotta, tiramisu and, of course, gelato. If you want to know all the subtleties of Genoese sweets, go to Viganotti. This pastry shop has been open since 1866 and amazes everyone with its variety of flavors.
Attractions
Genoa is a port city. This fact has influenced its appearance more than anything else. Narrow streets are juxtaposed with tall palaces, and every road will sooner or later lead you to the port. Leave your maps at home and just go for a stroll, peering into all the arches and open courtyards to enjoy every ancient corner.
The heart of Genoa is Piazza Ferrari. This is the main square of the city, where the most important architectural monuments face the city. If you look around, you will see the magnificent walls of the Doge's Palace, the Gesu Church, the Stock Exchange Palace, the main city theater Carlo Felice and the museum of the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts. And in the center is a picturesque fountain.
A special attraction is the Doge's Palace, also called Palazzo Ducale, which was begun in 1298. The medieval part has been perfectly preserved. Now this place is the cultural center of Genoa. Exhibitions, concerts and other interesting events are constantly held here.
If you walk from here along XX Settembre Street, you will find yourself in another picturesque square, Piazza della Vittoria. It is impossible to pass by it, because in the very center stands an impressive triumphal arch, created in the 30s of the 20th century and dedicated to those who died during the First World War. Interesting shape, statues and bas-reliefs attract the attention of all passers-by.
Via Garibaldi, where the palaces of the Genoese aristocracy stand, is no less famous. Its length is only 250 meters, but the history of some buildings is about 5 centuries. It is easy to admire the magnificent facades with stucco and paintings, grandiose atriums, luxurious gardens with fountains, and once inside you will be enchanted by the luxurious furnishings, antique furniture and rich art galleries.
This street is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy as part of the Palazzi dei Rolli quarter in the center of Genoa. In total, there are 42 such luxurious palaces in Genoa! It is almost impossible to go around all of them, but you should definitely take a look at the main ones on Via Garibaldi.
Of course, it is impossible not to mention the Royal Palace of Genoa - the most luxurious of all. The grandiose building was erected in the 17th century for a noble family, and after it was given to the Savoy kings; nowadays there is a museum inside, where the rarest art objects are kept: paintings, sculptures, antique furniture.
Not only the palaces, but also the numerous temples of Genoa will amaze you with their splendor. San Lorenzo Cathedral is one of the most famous. Black and white imposing facade and stone lions on the outside, but inside there are amazing treasures. Many iconic items for Christianity are kept here.
Another unusual striped and two-colored church can be found in Piazza San Matteo. It was built by the influential Doria family in the early 12th century. But the prize for the most luxurious decoration goes to the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation, a true Baroque gem. Gilding, columns, stucco and incredible frescoes will make even an atheist dizzy.
One of the main attractions of the Old Town is the Columbus House. Only the foundations remain here, everything above is a late reconstruction, but you will definitely get the spirit of the place where the famous navigator grew up. Nearby are the Barbarossa Walls, built in the 12th century to protect the city, and the Porta Soprano, two towers of the city gates from the same period. Another place that glorifies the inhabitant of Genoa is the tower of the Embriaci family, built in the 11th century. Such towers were built by famous citizens near their homes. It is the only one preserved in its original dimensions.
Moving towards the harbor. Castello D' albertis offers a picturesque view of the water. Inside the neo-Gothic building, built at the end of the 19th century, the Museum of Cultures of the World is now open. There you will find a collection of the most unusual objects that the first owner of the castle, a sea captain, brought back from his travels.
The old port of Genoa is one of the largest in the Mediterranean. It is now a great area for recreation. Both children and adults are attracted by the aquarium, where you can see a variety of aquatic ecosystems. This is the largest building of this type in Italy and the second largest in Europe. It will be interesting to visit the Maritime Museum. Inside you can study in detail the entire history of navigation - from wooden galleys to modern submarines. A huge ship, built for the filming of the movie "Pirates" in 1985, is moored nearby.
The Lanterna Lighthouse, built in the 16th century, is another important symbol of Genoa. Its height is 117 meters. To get a glimpse of the city from above, you have to climb 172 steps.
Genoa is an absolutely amazing city. The history of many buildings here goes back centuries and every corner is full of secrets. It would take weeks to explore every palace and temple in detail. If you only have a couple of days to spare, just relax and wander around the city at your leisure. All the most interesting and significant places will appear on your way. Amazing Genoa awaits you, but remember that you will need a a Schengen visa!
