Genoa is often overlooked as a stepping stone to the Italian Riviera, however the Ligurian capital is worth a moments pause. Though it may not be as tourist facing as say, Rome or Florence, the bustling port city has plenty going for it. A “living” city, the relative lack of tourists is arguably one of its charms, allowing visitors to experience authentic Italian culture without any frills or embellishment. It also holds its own when it comes to sightseeing, with more than enough things to do in Genoa to make it worthy of a longer stay.
Genoa is home to over 150 palazzos, a vast number of which are open to the public. It’s also home to the largest aquarium in Europe, making it an excellent family friendly destination. Last but not least (in fact, arguably the most important), it's a brilliant place to discover Ligurian specialities such as pesto and focaccia. I could happily eat and drink my way around the city without seeing a single sight, and have a great trip!
Without further ado, I've put together a mini Genoa travel guide, with all the best things to do in Genoa. Happy exploring!
Genoa 101
How to get to Genoa: There are regular direct flights to Genoa from the UK via Ryanair. If you're arriving in Genoa from another part of Italy, you can find train schedules via trenitalia.com.
How long to spend in Genoa: You could arguably see Genoa in a day and pack in all the key sights. I would say two nights would be enough to get a sense of the place, however if you really want to immerse yourself in the city, make it 3.
When to visit Genoa: As with most of Italy, shoulder season (March - May, and September - November) is the ideal in terms of weather and crowds.
How to get around Genoa: Genoa is a very walkable city, with most sights within 10/15 minutes walk from each other. However there is also a decent metro system for longer distances.
What to wear in Genoa: I'd pack light layers, with a jacket for evenings. Keep in mind you'll likely be walking a lot, so comfortable shoes are key.
Things to Do in Genoa
Palazzo Reale
With over 150 palazzos, you'd be hard pressed to visit them all. So if you're going to pick one, I'd make it this. Palazzo Reale is a lavish 17th century palace museum in the old town, home to a number of prestigious sculptures and works of art. However the real draw is the property itself, with a number of ornate rooms open to the public to explore. I've visited countless palaces in my time, from fairly functional to dripping in splendour, and Palazzo Reale is a definite contender for one of my favourites. All the rooms have their own unique aesthetics, it's big enough to feel like you're getting your moneys worth without going on forever, and it never seems to get that busy. Also, the hall of mirrors makes for a beautiful gram snap!
Palazzo Spinola
We hadn't planned on visiting Palazzo Spinola, however entry is included within the ticket for Palazzo Reale. At €10, it's great value! The palace museum displays paintings and artefacts spread out over 4 floors of a beautiful 16th century building. Like Palazzo Reale, the artworks are interesting enough but in my opinion the building itself is the real draw. The interiors are opulent and character-filled, with plenty of interesting rooms to explore. It's also very quiet if you're looking to escape the crowds - we visited in the middle of the day on a Saturday, and had the place essentially to ourselves.
Aquarium of Genoa
Honestly, aquariums don't really excite me. But my partner Adam loves them, so I've been dragged to my fair share. Holding the title of the largest aquarium in Europe, the Genoa Aquarium is kind of a must. And it certainly was large, with pretty much every species of underwater creature you'd ever want to see on display. There are plenty of floor to ceiling tanks filled with sharks, seals, and manatees to gawp at. It's unsurprisingly brilliant for children, with plenty of educational and immersive experiences. Tickets are 25 euros per adult, and recommend booking in advance online. We turned up on a Saturday morning around 10am, and were told the earliest we could get a ticket for was 12, so it's very popular!
Eat Local Cuisine
My personal favourite of all the things to do in Genoa, is eat. Italian cuisine is obviously excellent, but within the country there are so many regional specialities and local products. Liguria in particular is known for it's pesto and focaccia, both of which have absolutely got to be experienced whilst in Genoa. You'll most likely discover the former in the form of trofie al pesto, which translates to pesto pasta. I've pictured it at Trattoria Da i Ricci, a cosy traditional spot. Simple, but wonderfully fresh and packed with flavour. In terms of focaccia, look out for the "Recco" style, which is stuffed with cheese.
It's also, unsurprisingly, a great destination for fish and seafood. You'll find all sorts of dishes and preparations, all equally delicious. I'm practically drooling over the keyboard as I type!
Catch Sunset at Viewpoint Spianata Castelletto
Of all the things to do in Genoa, this one is a must. It's not a city that is necessarily thought of as beautiful, but head up to this leafy viewpoint, and you might just change your mind. Spianata di Castelletto is the best spot from which to look out over the city, particularly at golden hour and sunset as the colours change over the sea. It's reachable via lift, or a very steep walk. There's a number of cafes and restaurants in the area - grab a gelato, or a prosecco and charcuterie at buzzy wine bar Calice.
Cocktails at Les Rouges Cucina
Genoa has *a lot* of palaces. But they're not all just museums! Head to Les Rouges bar, housed in a 16th century palazzo, for cocktails enjoyed under dramatic frescoed ceilings. It's a little faded around the edges, but still a dramatically beautiful and completely unique bar experience. We popped in on a Saturday night and the place was buzzing - definitely the place to be on an evening in Genoa!
Take a Day Trip
It would be remiss to visit Genoa and not explore more of the Ligurian coastline. There are plenty of charming small towns and fishing villages within a short train or car ride from the city. A half an hour train away is Santa Margherita Ligure, from which you can get a ten minute bus into the iconic Portofino. The enclave of the rich and famous, this picturesque village is easily explored in a couple of hours. Or head further afield to Cinque Terre, around an hour and a half train ride away. Made up of five striking fishing villages, it's arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in all of Italy. Though doable in a day trip, I'd consider spending at least a couple of nights here to really experience everything the region has to offer.
I hope this guide to things to do in Genoa has been helpful! If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to pop them in the comments, and enjoy your Genoa travels!
Read More: The Cinque Terre Travel Guide
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