Genoa Travelers Recommend

The Ligurian coast is home to Italy’s largest seaport as well as some of the country’s tiniest fishing villages. Take in both these extremes by spending a day in bustling Genoa, then heading out along the coastline to explore picturesque Portofino and the Cinque Terre. Here are a few ways to make the most of a 3-day stay.

Day 1: Genoa

A historic maritime republic and modern-day shipping center, Genoa is a fascinating blend of old and new. Begin your visit with a journey into the past: take a walking tour through the old city’s narrow carruggi alleys, stopping by the San Lorenzo Duomo. To pair sightseeing with cuisine, sample the city’s traditional street foods on a food tour of the historic center. Finish up at the opulent Palazzi dei Rolli, Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), and Royal Palace before returning to the city’s present at the revitalized port. End the day with a family-friendly attraction or two, such as the Aquarium, the Biosfera (a tropical garden biosphere), or Bigo (a panoramic elevator).

Day 2: Portofino

For many travelers, Genoa is the gateway to the Italian Riviera, and Portofino is one of the region’s crown jewels. The pocket-size harbor lined with pastel-colored houses and backed by steep wooded hills has become a favorite destination for the jet set. Wander around the town center, packed with pretty cafés and upscale boutiques; walk up to the sunny yellow Church of San Giorgio to enjoy sweeping views of the harbor; or explore the surrounding marine reserve and coastline by kayak or private boat. Alternatively, set off on a guided hike from the town to the beautiful Benedictine abbey in the secluded bay of San Fruttuoso.

Day 3: The Cinque Terre

On your final day, venture farther along the Ligurian coast to the five colorful fishing villages known as the Cinque Terre. Perhaps the most popular day trip from Genoa, these hamlets clinging to the coastal cliffs are among the most charming in Italy, and are easily visited via footpath or the scenic local train that connects all five. Guided tours depart from Genoa and La Spezia.

A historic maritime republic and Italy’s largest port, Genoa offers a mix of old and new, with a warren of narrow medieval streets and majestic Renaissance architecture in the historic center and the contemporary buzz of massive ships and modern museums along the harbor. Here’s how to take in both sides of the city in one day.

Morning: Genoa Past

The heart of Genoa’s old city is its maze-like web of narrow alleys, called “carruggi.” Begin exploring with a walking tour through this neighborhood, a masterpiece of Gothic and Romanesque architecture. Gourmands can opt for a food tour to combine sightseeing with samples of the city’s classic street foods.

Afterward, take in the grandeur of some of the city’s 16th-century palaces, beginning with the Palazzi dei Rolli on Via Garibaldi, an architectural jewel rivalled only by the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and Royal Palace, all reminders of the immense power and wealth once wielded by this former maritime republic.

Afternoon: Genoa Present

The city’s historic port has been dramatically reworked over the past decades by star Genovese architect Renzo Piano and is now home to a number of museums, restaurants, and attractions. Dedicate the afternoon to visiting the highlights along the port, including the Genoa Aquarium; Galata Maritime Museum; Biosfera, a tropical garden biosphere; the children’s museum; the Dialogue in the Dark sensory experience, and Bigo panoramic elevator.

These are the most popular attractions in the city, and lines to enter can be long. Purchase skip-the-line tickets in advance to avoid spending time waiting outside.

Night: Food and Fun

Now that you’ve discovered Genoa’s past and present, enjoy the city’s coastal cuisine. Hands-on cooks can prepare classic dishes during a class, the cuisine-curious can opt for a pesto-making demonstration and tasting, and indulgent gourmands can sit down to dinner in a local home. 

Genoa is also the gateway to the Italian Riviera, so those who want to savor timeless fishing-village charm can make the short jaunt to Portofino, a colorful, now-upscale village just an hour south. Or, stay in the city and take the Corso Italia promenade to Boccadasse, a tiny district that has retained its quaint village atmosphere.

Discover Genoa’s history as the center of a powerful maritime republic, explore a hub of modern museums clustered at its port, and wander local fishing villages. The city’s location makes it a convenient jumping-off point for towns along the Italian Riviera, so here’s how to visit both city and coast in two days.

Day 1: Genoa

**Morning:**Stroll through the narrow alleys, called “carruggi,” surrounding the soaring Cathedral of San Lorenzo with a walking tour of Genoa’s old town. Then, move on to the city’s lavish palaces: the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale); the Royal Palace; and the Palazzi dei Rolli on Via Garibaldi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

**Afternoon:**Make the most of your afternoon at the revitalized port, booking advance skip-the-line tickets to popular draws like the Genoa Aquarium. The old port today houses museums, restaurants, and attractions, such as the Galata Maritime Museum, a tropical garden biosphere, panoramic elevator, and the Dialogue in the Dark sensory experience.

**Night:**Genoa’s distinct cuisine combines delicacies of land and sea. Take a food and wine tour through the city or opt for a hands-on cooking lesson to learn how to recreate classic dishes. Other foodie options include a pesto-making demonstration and tasting or a family-style dinner in a local home.

Day 2: Riviera

**Morning:**Genoa is the gateway to the Italian Riviera for many travelers, so spend your second day along the Ligurian coast visiting some of the most colorful fishing villages in the Mediterranean. Perhaps the most popular day trip is to the Cinque Terre, five pastel-hued hamlets clinging to the cliffs.

**Afternoon:**If you want to savor the charm of a time-capsule fishing village but would prefer to spend less time traveling, tour the village of Portofino just an hour’s drive south along the coast. Colorful houses line a doll-sized harbor, making this popular spot the quintessential coastal retreat.

**Night:**You may be surprised to learn that Genoa has its own fishing village, the pedestrian-only Boccadasse district at the end of the Corso Italia promenade just outside the city center. Spend your final evening relaxing over dinner or a gelato in this quaint and quiet corner of the city.

In the heart of the Italian Riviera, the medieval port town of Genoa is famous not only as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, but also for its regal heritage. Here are our picks for the city’s must-see palaces.

Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale)

Once a residence of the royal Savoy family and now an art gallery, the 17th-century Royal Palace is one of Genoa’s most impressive. Among its many highlights are the Hall of Mirrors (Galleria degli Specchi), the Valerio Castello Room (Sala di Valerio Castello), and the Throne Room (Sala del Trono), as well as the idyllic palace gardens.

Albertis Castle (Castello d'Albertis)

The 19th-century fortress of Albertis Castle looks down over the city from a hilltop in west Genoa. Once the home of sea captain Enrico Alberto d'Albertis, it now houses the Museum of World Cultures (Museo delle Culture del Mondo). With its crenellated ramparts and looming watchtower, the fortress makes for a striking photo subject.

Ducal Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

Dating back to 1339, the Ducal Palace sprawls between Piazza Matteotti and Piazza de Ferrari in Genoa’s historic center. Once an official residence of the doges of Genoa, the legendary building is now open to the public as a museum and hosts regular art exhibitions. 

Rolli Palaces (Palazzi dei Rolli)

The most famous of Genoa’s many palaces are the magnificent Rolli Palaces in the city’s Strade Nuove quarter. The collection of noble homes, which date from the 16th to the 18th century, showcase a variety of baroque and Renaissance architectural styles and are preserved as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many have been transformed into art galleries and fine art museums, forming part of the Strada Nuova Museums (Musei di Strada Nuova). 

Bianco Palace (Palazzo Bianco)

Standing proud over Via Garibaldi, Bianco Palace is among the most visited of the Rolli Palaces. Today it houses the Gallery of the White Palace (Galleria di Palazzo Bianco), an acclaimed art collection that includes works by Rubens and Van Dyck.

Rosso Palace (Palazzo Rosso)

A close neighbor of Bianco Palace, also on Via Garibaldi, the 17th-century Rosso Palace is the masterwork of architect Pietro Antonio Corradi. Inside, the palace boasts beautifully preserved frescos, period furnishings, and paintings by Reni, Guercino, Veronese, Dürer, and Strozzi. 

Italy is well known for its diverse regional cuisine, and Liguria has several culinary claims to fame. Here are some local specialties—known for the simple flavors of Liguria’s incredibly fresh produce and seafood—to enjoy while dining in Genoa.

Must-Try Dishes

Flatbreads are a traditional delicacy across the Mediterranean coast, and Genovese ovens turn them out in spades. Focaccia is a delicious bread dressed simply with olive oil and salt, sometimes enhanced with added ingredients such as pine nuts and fresh herbs. Farinata is similar but is made with wheat-free chickpea flour, so it’s more like an unleavened pancake.

On the seafood front, the Ligurian coast is brimming with anchovies —especially in Cinque Terre—but you’ll find them on Genovese menus as well. You may also see orata and branzino —white fish, usually served whole.

If you’re a carnivore who’s up for a dining challenge, then cima alla genovese might be the dish for you. It’s a traditional Ligurian meal of veal breast stuffed with vegetables, cheese, eggs, and cow innards. For something a little more universally approachable, look for corzetti —round, freshly made discs of pasta that are stamped with a wooden tool to give each one an embossed design.

Basil grows fantastically well along the Ligurian coast, so no surprise that pesto is one of Liguria’s most famous culinary exports. Traditionally served on fresh pasta, you’ll find the sauce dished up all along the coastline, especially in the warm summer months.

Must-Do Experiences

• Take a hands-on cooking class in the old mariners’ neighborhood of Boccadasse, and learn how to make traditional pesto.

• Sample traditional sweet treats at the Pietro Romanengo fu Stefano candy shop in Genoa.

• Join a food-themed tour of Genoa and follow your guide through the historic streets, sampling the diverse flavors for which the city is famous all along the way.

• Sign up for a wine pairing course and learn how to match Italian vintages with traditional Genovese dishes.