Genoa is an important city in the northwestern region of Italy, in the Gulf of Genoa, in the Ligurian Sea. With a metropolitan area of nearly 1.5 million people, Genoa is the sixth-largest city in the country and one of the most important economic centers in northern Italy.
A fundamental element of the city’s economy is its immense port and shipbuilding industry. Like many regions in Italy, Genoa has been inhabited for thousands of years, with its natural harbor being used by both the Romans and Etruscans in ancient times. Today, the port of Genoa is a major hub for commercial shipping and travel, connecting numerous international destinations and facilitating a vibrant trade network. The local shipbuilding industry still thrives, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to produce world-class vessels.
Among the city’s fun facts, Genoa is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, denim, and the cross of St. George.
In medieval times, Genoa was the richest city in the world and one of the Mediterranean’s most significant commercial and naval powers. The imposing city gates, palaces, and churches still bear witness to this legacy of immense wealth.
However, Genoa is a human-scale city and one of Italy’s last “secret” tourist destinations. Most tourists arriving at its airport head almost directly to Cinque Terre, and few stay to discover the extreme, albeit unusual, beauty of La Superba.
This post will explore some of the attractions this great Italian city offers and the best things to see and do in Genoa in a day or two.
In case you missed it…
Keep in mind that Genoa is located in a mountainous area, so accessing some of its higher places requires a minimum level of physical fitness. Nevertheless, the city boasts an excellent train system, a metro line, and several public elevators and funiculars.
For convenience, you can always book the tourist bus. This service provides a convenient way to see the city without worrying about transportation logistics. It brings you close to most Genoa attractions with minimal effort.
Top Things to See and Do in Genoa, Italy
1. Piazza di Ferrari
Ferrari Square is Genoa’s main square, a central meeting point, and the stage for significant city events. It is dedicated to Raffaele De Ferrari, Duke of Galliera, a generous benefactor who, in 1875, donated a substantial sum of money to expand the port.
At the center of this monumental square stands a bronze fountain that dates back to 1936.
This square also includes the Carlo Felice Theatre and the Fine Arts Academy building, which Carlo Barbino jointly designed.
Ferrari Square also features a side facade of the Ducal Palace (with its main entrance located in the adjoining Matteotti Square), the Liguria Regional Building, and the New Stock Exchange Building, one of the finest examples of Genoese Art Nouveau style.
The square is serviced by a city metro stop and several bus stops (including those for tourist buses).
2. Palazzo Ducale & Piazza Matteotti
The Ducal Palace is one of Genoa’s most iconic historical sites. It has been the residence of the Doge of Genoa since 1339 and is today the city’s main cultural center.
The Palazzo organizes and hosts art exhibitions, conferences, series of meetings, festivals, exhibitions, and educational activities throughout the year.
Construction of the palace began in 1298 and was expanded with new buildings in the 14th and 15th centuries. The palace complex eventually enclosed Piazza Matteotti on all four sides, transforming it into a true fortress.
In the 16th century, its appearance was modernized to a Renaissance style. In 1777, a major fire necessitated the redesign of much of the building in a Neoclassical style. The interiors were filled with stucco work and golden decorations, giving the rooms their sumptuous current appearance.
3. Belvedere Castelletto
La Spianata Castelletto is an impressive balcony overlooking the city, suspended above the Historic Center, offering a nearly 360° view of Genoa and its port.
From here, you can admire the slate rooftops of the ancient Genoese houses, the medieval towers, and the baroque domes. In the distance, the sea is dotted with cargo ships.
Until 1849, the fortress of Castelletto stood at this site. It was demolished by popular demand, as it posed a significant threat to the city in case of enemy occupation.
The Belvedere Castelletto is easily accessible by elevator. The elevator departs from Piazza Portello, just a few steps from Strada Nuova. Its station retains the charm of the original art-nouveau style in which it was built.
4. Porta Soprana
Genoa is renowned for its ancient medieval walls, which are the largest in all of Italy.
The walls of Genoa began construction in the 9th century and expanded to enclose much of the city over the years. While many parts of Genoa’s defensive walls were demolished to make way for modern structures, a significant portion of this historic fortification remains standing to this day.
One of the most prominent remnants is the Porta Soprana, situated in the heart of Genoa, quite close to Piazza De Ferrari. This gate stands as a testament to the city’s rich medieval heritage.
This gate is part of the defensive complex known as the Mura del Barbarossa, designed to encircle the city’s three main areas: the castrum, which developed on the hill of Castello; the civitas, built around the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and the burgus, a commercial area around the monastery of San Siro.
Porta Soprana was the entrance to the city for anyone coming from the east. Flanking the arched entrance, the two circular towers are crowned with battlements.
5. Via Garibaldi & Palazzi dei Rolli
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Via Garibaldi is one of the most important streets in Genoa and is famous for its many palaces.
Notable buildings on this narrow street include Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Doria Tursi, Palazzo Lomelino, and Palazzo Pantaleo.
Three of these palaces are open to the public, Rosso, Bianco, and Tursi, and offer great insight into the history of Genoa, along with various wonderful artifacts and art collections.
6. San Lorenzo Cathedral
The most important church in Genoa is the cathedral of San Lorenzo.
Built around 1098 on a pre-existing 5th-6th century basilica and expanded throughout the centuries, the cathedral dedicated to St. Lawrence the Martyr houses the ashes of the city’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist, who arrived in Genoa at the end of the First Crusade.
The Basilica of St. Lawrence was consecrated as a cathedral in 1118, and its reconstruction began as a Romanesque-style church. Over time, it underwent numerous modifications to its architecture, incorporating Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements that contribute to its unique and impressive appearance today.
After a fire in 1296, the building was partially restored and partly rebuilt in a Gothic architectural style: between 1307 and 1312, the facade was completed with alternating white and black stripes.
Between the 14th and 15th centuries, the cathedral was enriched with new altars and chapels, including the splendid chapel that houses the ashes of St. John the Baptist.
In the mid-16th century, the entire building was redesigned, but only the roof of the naves, the floor, the dome, and the apse area were successfully reconstructed.
The cathedral was finally completed in the 17th century with the addition of gilded stucco in the apse and Mannerist frescoes depicting the “Stories of St. Lawrence.”
7. Porto Antico
The Old Port of Genoa is an ancient port area redesigned by Renzo Piano in 1992 on the occasion of the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America.
This area has become the city’s tourist hub, where visitors can enjoy a snack, have dinner, go shopping, watch a movie, ice skate, or swim in a pool.
The main tourist attraction of the harbor is the city aquarium, which we will discuss in more detail later.
In addition to the aquarium, other attractions in the area include: the Bigo panoramic elevator, the Biosphere, the Città dei Bambini—an interactive museum for children aged 2 to 14—and the Luzzati Museum, housed in the ancient Porta Siberia and dedicated to the famous Genoese set designer.
The spaces of Porto Antico have become the go-to entertainment and leisure area for both locals and tourists.
The Arena del Mare and Piazza delle Feste, which transform into an ice skating rink in winter, host concerts by renowned Italian and international artists, as well as festivals and cultural and artistic events.
8. Maritime Museum (Galata Museo del Mare)
This area has become the city’s tourist hub, where you can grab a snack, dine, shop, catch a movie, ice skate, or dip in a swimming pool.
The main tourist attraction in the harbor is the city’s aquarium, which we will discuss in more detail later.
In addition to the aquarium, other attractions in the area include the Bigo panoramic elevator, the Biosphere, the Città dei Bambini – an engaging and interactive museum for children aged 2 to 14, and the Luzzati Museum which is located in the ancient Porta Siberia and dedicated to the famous Genoese set designer.
The spaces of Porto Antico have become the premier entertainment and leisure area for both locals and tourists alike.
The Arena del Mare and Piazza delle Feste transform into an ice-skating rink during winter and host concerts featuring renowned Italian and international artists, as well as various cultural and artistic festivals and events.
9. Acquario di Genova
The Aquarium of Genoa is Europe’s largest aquatic biodiversity exhibition: 27 thousand square meters, 71 tanks, and more than 15 thousand animals of 400 different species on the inimitable backdrop of the Gulf of Genoa.
The aquarium’s underwater life includes dolphins, sharks, penguins, manatees, jellyfish, seals, tropical fish, and Antarctic animals. The Aquarium of Genoa also features a large touch pool where visitors can pet stingrays.
This large aquarium also features reptiles and amphibians from rivers and freshwater forests. Tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Information and Reception offices or through this link.
10. Lanterna di Genova
Symbol of the city of Genoa, the Lanterna, with its 76 meters, is the tallest lighthouse in the Mediterranean and the second tallest in Europe.
The Lantern of Genoa was rebuilt in 1543 and stands on a rock that is 40 meters high.
The 172 steps leading to the top of the lighthouse are part of the visitor’s itinerary. The summit offers breathtaking views of the harbor and the old city.
At the base of the Lantern, there’s an interactive multimedia museum.
A pedestrian path that stretches for about 800 meters along the Genoa city walls connects the Lantern to the ferry terminal.
11. Nervi
Nervi is an ancient village located in the easternmost part of Genoa. One of its most beautiful attractions is the promenade Anita Garibaldi, a two-kilometer pedestrian walkway along a steep cliff by the sea.
The center of this beautiful village offers a colorful harbor and a small beach next to which there are restaurants, bars, and gelaterias.
Nervi can be reached via the railway line that connects La Spezia with Genoa – Brignole in 20 minutes or less.