Top Things To Do In Genoa

Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, was one of the most powerful maritime republics from the 11th to 18th century and one of the wealthiest cities in the world. The aristocracy here, newly created by lucrative maritime activities, built streets and plazas, lined with beautiful medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic architecture. Leaving a legacy that allows us to glimpse into lives lived long ago.

This multi-cultural port town is not a popular tourist attraction, but its authenticity and unique sites make it worthwhile. It offers a lively port area, one of the busiest in the world, ornate palaces, guilded baroque churches, and one of the largest medieval centers in Europe. And in addition to being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, it’s also the birthplace of pesto. Which is much better than any I’ve had in the world. This post covers the top things to do in Genoa.

Top Things To Do In Genoa

A visit to Genoa centers in its medieval old town, the heart of the city.

Porto Anico

The old port of Genoa, or Porto Anico, is Europe’s major seaport, offering a beautiful promenade and several tourist attractions.

One of the highlights, aside from walking the promenade, is the Acquario di Genova (Genoa Aquarium). Built for the 1992 World Fair to honor the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s voyage, it’s the largest in Europe.

Porto Anico | Yoggysot

It’s also where to find the Galato Museo del Mare, Italy’s largest maritime museum, and the Palazzo San Gorgio, or Palace of St. George, which once imprisoned Marco Polo (more on this below).

For a better perspective on the port, get a birds-eye view from the clunky lift Bigo, a glass enclosure that provides views from 130’ (40 meters) up.

Genoa Old Town

Genoa’s medieval old town is one of the oldest and most densely packed in Europe. This is Genoa’s heart, a labyrinth of craggy alleys, called caruggi, and colorful buildings, several stories high. In many places, so tall and narrow, the sun does not reach your feet. Yes, you will get lost in this maze, but end up learning to love this city in the process, as narrow streets open up to squares full of locals eating and enjoying life. Mini surprises at every turn.

As you explore, try the variety of cuisines from around the world, a reflection of the cultural melting pot in the city center today.

Top Palazzo, or Palaces, of Genoa

Known collectively as Rolli Palaces, from the long rolls of paper used to list and categorize them, there are over 150 in Genoa. 42 are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The following are highlights, and open to the public.

Musei di Strada Nuova

The Strada Nuova, which means “new streets” in Italian, were built for Genoa’s aristocracy when the city was at its peak of power.

One of these streets, Via Guiseppe Garibaldi, contains the Musei di Strada Nuova, a complex composed of three palace museums: Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco, and Palazzo Tursi. These three palaces, built in the 16th and 17th century, now open to the public, are beautifully appointed and contain a wealth of artwork and galleries.

Also make sure to walk all along Garibaldi to see the multitude of other palaces lining this UNESCO Heritage listed street.

How To Get To Strada Nuova: Located about a 10 minute walk from the Palazzo Reale.

Palazzo Rosso | Sailko

Palazzo Reale, or Royal Palace

This former palace, built by the Balbi family in the 17th century, now serves as a museum and gallery. It’s opulent rooms, decorated in the 18th and 19th centuries, contain many historic frescos and artwork. Its two most famous paintings are by Flemish master Van Dyck, the “Portrait of a Lady” and the “Crucifix”.

Palazzo Reale | Sailko

How To Get To Palazzo Reale: The Royal Palace Museum is located in Rio Balbi, behind the port area.

This palace, another one of the 42 UNESCO listed Rolli palaces, with its lavish 16th century style decor, is also home to the National Gallery of Liguria.

How To Get To Palazzo Spinola: Palazzo Spinola is located a few minutes walk east of the port.

Palazzo San Giorgio

The Palazzo San Giorgio, or Palace of Saint George, is located in the heart of the old harbor. It gets it name from the brilliant frescos that tell the story of St George slaying the dragon.

It was also once used as a bank, one of the first in Europe, and a prison. Interestingly, Marco Polo was once imprisoned here. He related tales of his adventures to a fellow inmate, who later published the stories as the Travels of Marco Polo.

Palazzo San Giorgio | Jensens

How To Get To Palazzo San Giorgio: Palazzo San Giorgio is located just outside the old port area.

Doges Palace

This museum was once the residence of the Doges of Genoa that ruled this city-state in the 14th to 18th centuries. It opened to the public after a 1992 restoration completed in honor of the 500th anniversary of Cristopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas.

The neoclassical salons, upstairs, Grimaldina Tower, and the area once used as a prison are open to the public. It’s also Genoa’s main cultural center, hosting exhibitions, conferences, shows, and educational activities.

How To Get To The Doges Palace: The main entrance to Doges Palace is located at Piazza Mattiotti.

Piazza De Ferrari

Piazza De Ferrari, Genoa’s main square, is named after Raffaele De Ferrari, the Duke of Galliera. It contains the bronze, De Ferrari fountain, Palace of the Doges, Palace of the Duke of Galliera, Theater Carlo Felice, Pallazo della Nuova Borsa, or new stock exchange, and more.

Piazza de Ferrari | Hpschaefer

How To Get To Piazza De Ferrari: Piazza De Ferrari is located a 10-minute walk east of the port.

Via XX Settembre

This elegant street is the main shopping street, lined with both famous chains, like Zara, Sephora, and H&M, as well as boutique shops, designer stores, coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants. The street is named after the capture of Rome on September, 20, 1870 which finalized Italian unification.

How To Get To Via Settembre: The street starts at Piazza de Ferrari, the main square of Genoa, and runs about one mile (792 m) to Via Fiume near Piazza del Victoria.

Home of Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus reportedly grew up in this house, or at least the original version of it. It’s now a museum in his honor.

How To Get To House of Christopher Columbus: The Christopher Columbis Museum is located on street Vico Dritto Ponticello close to one of the Gates leading to the historical center, the Towers of Sant’Andrea, or Porto Soprana. In fact, his father, Dominico Columbus, worked as a guard at these gates.

Christopher Columbus’s house is one of the top things to do in Genoa

While here, also visit the marble cloister of St. Andrew, very close to the house.

Cloister of St. Andrew

Churches of Genoa

The beautiful baroque, gothic, and medieval churches, sprinkled around the city, were built when Genoa was at its peak of power. Wealthy citizens also contributed by sponsoring their art. Some painted by famous artists like Ruebens and others. They truly are unbelievably ornate.

The guilded Baroque churches are one of the top things to do in Genoa
Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato
The guilded Baroque churches are one of the top things to do in Genoa
Chiesa di San Luca

San Lorenzo Cathedral

One of the most important churches in Genoa is San Lorenzo Cathedral, just a few minute walk east of the port. This Roman Catholic Church is the Seat of the Archbishop of Genoa. It also holds the relics of St. John the Baptist.

The Treasury Museum, in the basement, holds a variety of treasures, including jewels, silver, a Byzantine cross and what some think is the holy grail, the sacred bowl (Sacro Cantino) used by Christ at the last supper.

Although important, this church is not as stunning as some of the beauties below.

Other Key Churches

Some of the most ornate gilded churches are:

Sumptuous baroque churches are one of the top things to do in Genoa
Santissima Annunziata del Vastato

Pesto

Genoa is also the birthplace of pesto. And if you’ve tried it and not really liked it, try it here and see if you change your mind. I am a true convert. They say it’s better here due to the Genoese basil, which is sweeter, but I think it’s also high quality of all the ingredients, basil, cheese, pasta, olive oil, and nuts.

Genoa hosts the annual Pesto World Championship. Entry is open to both amateurs and professionals, but must be made by hand with a marble mortar and wooden pestle. This site seems to change from time to time, so you’ll have to Google for the latest.

One day, I stumbled upon Cavour 21, winner of the 2014 championship. This is known to be one of the best places in town to get pesto, and other pastas.

The award winning pesto was outstanding. Plus, it was only 7€. A little more for a half bottle of wine. I know my photo doesn’t look like much, but wow…..! I wish I’d had time to try the entire menu.

Eating pesto is one of the top things to do in Genoa
Cavour 21 Pesto

Cavour is popular and there’s almost always a line, so try to arrive early. In fact, to get more people through it’s not uncommon to share tables here with other guests, which is fabulously fun.

How To Get To Cavour 21: Cavour 21 is conveniently located on the east side of the port.

Visit Bocadasse

This small fishing village, with its pastel houses perched by the sea, site on the edge of Genoa. Walking here is a bit like walking into a postcard.

Theres a small pebbly beach, along with several ice cream shops and cafes. A great place to spend an afternoon.

To get here, walk the Italia Corso Promenade about 45 minutes. You’ll pass beach clubs, bars, and restaurants along the sea. If you don’t want to walk, take the local bus (#31) or a taxi.

Visiting Boccadasse is one of the top things to do in Genoa.

Other Top Spots in Italy

South of Genoa are Cinque Terre and Portovenere, perfect places to hike off some of the pesto you eat here. The vistas on the hike between these charming villages are truly spectacular. And the small-town italian charm is delicious.

To the east, there is Bologna, the food capital of Europe. Especially known for their hand-made stuffed pastas, they’re also known for a variety of other specialties. It’s best to arrive here hungry.

Heading south, you can’t miss Florence, with its iconic Duomo, and outstanding Renaissance art. And, of course, Rome is a top highlight in Italy. The Colosseum, ancient archeological sites, rich history, impressive architecture, and food are top notch, making this one of the world’s top travel destinations.

Heading south of Rome, the ruins of Pompeii and Hurculaneum, are less than a 3 hour drive. One of the world’s top archeological sites, it’s fascinating to wander this city frozen in time almost 2,000 years ago. This is one of my all time favorite places!

South of Pompeii, highlights include the idyllic beauty of the famed Amalfi coast. And, from there, the jaw-dropping beauty of Capri, is just a ferry ride away.

Sicily, off the tip of Italy’s boot, is full of fascinating cities and sites. While the lovely Aeolian islands are scattered north of it. They’re fun to ferry between and explore one-by-one. I explored a few and hiked up the volcano on Stromboli.

On Italy’s east coast, Venice is a top highlight. I loved wandering its lovely side streets and watching the gondoliers gliding along the canals.

To see all the highlights of Italy, as well as understand how to get around, safety, scams, logistics, and more, to help you plan your trip, see my Italy Travel Guide.

Hello! I resigned from a corporate career in product development to explore the world. Although my goal was to travel for a year, 8 years later, I’ve been honored to have explored more than 60 gorgeous countries and met some unbelievably amazing people. Our world truly is a beautiful place! Follow me into the gorgeous unknown by subscribing below. You’ll receive details on fabulous destinations, comprehensive travel guides, travel tips and tidbits, and information on travel trends, like experiential, sustainable, and transformational travel. Where is your next gorgeous unknown? Julie

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