Things to See in Genoa: The 16 Best Attractions and Activities

Nestled between the sea and the mountains of Liguria, Genoa offers breathtaking views and unforgettable moments to its visitors. As an art city rich in noble palaces, museums, and churches, as well as more "modern" attractions like the famous Aquarium, Genoa is absolutely worth visiting at least once. Famous for its "Rolli Palaces", which are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage, it is a city to experience in all its facets... and there are indeed many facets to explore.

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The Aquarium of Genoa is undoubtedly the most famous place in the city. Inaugurated in 1992 in the Old Port area, it is the second largest in Europe, after the one in Valencia. Inside, there are 12,000 specimens of 600 different species.

Among these, sharks, seals, penguins, and turtles are particularly popular. The aquarium is designed in such a way that visitors can literally "walk" through the tanks, which number 70 in total. Recently, the structure further expanded with a new pavilion designed by Renzo Piano, called "Pavilion of Cetaceans".

Watch out for the queues: it is the number 1 attraction in the city, which is why it is always crowded! Don't risk wasting precious time in line; it's better to arrive at the aquarium when it opens and get a priority ticket to skip the long waits.

One of the must-see attractions in the Old Port area is the Bigo, the panoramic lift offering views of all of Genoa, loved by both young and old. The Bigo was designed by Renzo Piano and is usually combined with a visit to the nearby Aquarium. You can reach about 40 meters in approximately 10 minutes, and from the top, you can enjoy a 360° view.

The old center of commerce in Genoa, this area now represents one of the cultural centers of the city since it was "modernized" by Renzo Piano in 1992 for the Expo and the 500th anniversary of the Discovery of America. The Port Area (230,000 sq m) is home to some of the city's major attractions, such as the Aquarium of Genoa, the Galata Museum, and the Biosphere, a glass and steel bubble floating on the water that contains a tropical environment with some animals like butterflies and birds.

In addition to these important attractions, there are shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, and cinemas, not to mention the ice skating rink in winter and the outdoor swimming pool in summer. In short, Porto Antico is the ideal place to spend a couple of hours relaxing between an aperitif and a visit to some typical shops.

The port is 1 km from the Genoa-Piazza Principe station (14 min walk) and 2.3 km from Genoa-Brignole (25 min walk). The nearest metro station is S. Giorgio. All major cruise terminals are located at the old port (Ponte dei Mille and Ponte Andrea Doria) - Get directions

Visit duration: 1 hour

Head to the outskirts: this is where cruise ships and tourist boats dock. If you have enough time, we recommend exploring the outskirts of Genoa with day trips to places like Portofino, Camogli, and San Fruttuoso.

The cathedral of the city showcases its beautiful Gothic facade in the Genoese style, with French influences as evidenced by the arrangement of the portals and the central rose window. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was also the focus of civil and political life, as Genoa, for centuries, did not have squares or other venues to exercise secular power.

Funded with the proceeds from the Crusades, the interior is divided into three naves and holds countless sculptural and pictorial works. Inside, you can access the Cathedral Treasure Museum, which houses masterpieces of sacred art, including the Sacred Vessel that legend identifies as the Sacred Grail, the Ark of the Ashes of St. John the Baptist, and other items related to the cult of the city's patron saint.

Porta Soprana is the only one remaining of the city's entrance gates, dating back to the 9th-10th century. Built of stone, it is an imposing medieval structure. Crossing its boundaries leads to the historical center.

Just below Porta Soprana, before crossing the arch, right at the point where the access promenade begins, you will find the house of Christopher Columbus. A true house-museum dedicated to the discoverer of America, reconstructed in the 18th century over the remains of the original one. It is said that Columbus spent his youth here. The building has 2 floors; the ground floor served as his father's shop, who was involved in wool weaving and commerce.

The main square of Genoa, a meeting and gathering place for major city events, is dedicated to Raffaele De Ferrari, Duke of Galliera, a generous benefactor who donated a substantial sum of money for the expansion of the harbor in 1875.

At the center is a monumental bronze fountain, which creates magnificent water displays. Designed by architect Cesare Crosa di Vergagni, it dates back to 1936. Important buildings such as the Carlo Felice Theatre and the Palazzo dell'Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti also face the square, both designed by Carlo Barbino. The square is also bordered by the lateral façade of Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo della Regione Liguria, and the Palazzo della Nuova Borsa, one of the finest examples of Genoese Liberty style.

In the historical center. From the Genoa Piazza Principe station take bus lines 20, 35, 618, 635, or 641 or the metro. In both cases, get off at the De Ferrari/Metrò stop - Get directions

Visit duration: 30 min

The beautiful residences of the Genoese nobility that, between the 16th and 17th centuries, hosted illustrious visitors to the city. The residences, which number more than 100, were included in special lists (Rolli of Public Lodgings) drawn up by the Republic of Genoa and periodically updated. Based on their architectural value and grandeur, the Palaces were divided into three categories, known as bussoli, each designated for a different category of guests: the first bussolo for cardinals, princes, and viceroys; the second bussolo for feudal lords and governors; the third for princes and ambassadors.

Since 2006, 42 of these prestigious palaces "arranged in sequences of atriums, courtyards, staircases, gardens and rich decorations" have been recognized by UNESCO as "World Heritage" as "expression of a unique social and economic identity that inaugurates modern urban architecture in Europe". They are located in various parts of the city and opened on specific days of the year, known as "Rolli Days".

Better known as "Strada Nuova", Via Garibaldi is also often referred to as the "golden street" of Genoa due to the numerous noble palaces that line it. Among these, three palaces are now known as the "Museums of Strada Nuova": Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco, and Palazzo Doria Tursi.

The first, which was the home of the Brignole-Sale family, collects the family's private collection, which tells over two centuries of history and also includes works by Van Dyck and Veronese. The second is home to an important collection of paintings from the Italian, Flemish, French, Dutch, and Spanish traditions, ranging from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The third contains exhibitions of ceramics and tapestries, and is also where "the Cannon", the famous violin of Paganini made in 1734, is kept.

After the Aquarium of Genoa, it is the largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean dedicated to the history of navigation. It features the reproduction and display of boats of all sizes and types, instruments and nautical charts, multimedia and interactive stations. Developed over 3 floors, the museum is chronologically arranged: starting from the age of rowing boats up to the journey to America.

An integral part of the museum is the Nazario Sauro Submarine, located in the same bay right in front of the entrance to Galata. This is a unique experience, as it provides the opportunity to learn about and experience the living conditions of sailors aboard a real submarine! An experience children especially will love.

Go up to the Mirador: after visiting the museum, we recommend going up to the top floor, where the Mirador panoramic terrace is located. From here, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city, spanning from the port to the historical center.

The Royal Palace Museum of Genoa is located within what was commonly referred to as Palazzo Stefano Balbi, one of the 42 "Rolli Palaces" of Genoa. In addition to the "home" of the Balbis, the museum also houses one of the most important art galleries in the city, containing works by Van Dyke and Tintoretto. Additionally, there are sculptures, frescoes, and Genoese furniture dating back to the 17th-18th centuries.

Part of the residence is the Teatro del Falcone, which since 2004 hosts only temporary exhibitions. It is the oldest of Genoa's historic theaters and its origins seemed to stem from the inn "ad signum Falconis", where one could lodge and watch performances by traveling companies before heading to the city center. Completing the picture is the hanging garden, designed by Carlo Fontana and built in the second decade of the 18th century.

The heart of the city consists of the characteristic "caruggi", those narrow alleys dating back to the medieval period, creuze, and small squares. The caruggi are one of the many elements of Genoa that have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage. Rich in noble palaces, churches, and monuments, the historic center of Genoa is a testament to how different styles, eras, and cultures have interacted in this city, leaving a tangible mark on the style of most of the present palaces.

You can admire some of the most charming caruggi starting from Via di Prè (Get directions).

Visit duration: 1 hour

Let yourself be guided: at first glance, the center can seem like a maze and give the feeling of disorientation. But it deserves to be explored thoroughly, for its beauty and wonderful palaces. Therefore, for a first approach, we recommend taking a guided walking tour, which will unveil all its secrets.

Palazzo del Principe is an ancient residence, the largest in the city. Outside the city walls, it was commissioned by Andrea Doria in 1521. The interiors, recently restored by the Doria Pamphili owners, are rich in frescoes, tapestries, and wooden furnishings. Noteworthy is the hall with a fresco depicting The Giants Struck by Jupiter and the tapestries dedicated to the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

A testament to the influences of Roman culture in Renaissance structure, the building marks the transition of Genoese architecture from the Medieval to the Renaissance from the city palace to the suburban villa. Surrounding the palace are gardens, which reached the sea on one side and the hill on the other. At the center is the magnificent fountain of Neptune, symbolizing Admiral Doria (still visible today).

The house museum set up in the residence of Captain Enrico Alberto D'Albertis, its creator. Traveling by sea and land between the 1800s and 1900s, the captain enclosed his world in a romantic setting between "wonder rooms" and colonial trophies.

His castle bears witness to the charm that the distant worlds he visited had on his spirit. Additionally, there is a second visit path inside, where archaeological and ethnographic materials are revealed through dialogue and exchange with the peoples from where they come.

The symbol of Genoa, it is the ancient lighthouse of the city. To see it, the lantern is truly spectacular: the tower stands atop a hill 40 meters high, making it 177 meters above sea level. The affection that the Genoese have for the "Lantern" cannot be explained solely by its public utility; the lighthouse of Genoa is indeed comparable to a totem that embodies the millennia of the city's history.

In ancient times, large bundles of heather and broom were burned at the top of the tower to signal the presence of the port to ships passing through the city's waters. Obviously, the structure also served as a lookout to ward off the swift piracy attacks that plagued the Mediterranean for centuries.

At sunset: the Genoa Lighthouse is the tallest in the Mediterranean and one of the oldest in Europe still in operation. We recommend arriving here around sunset when the sky turns completely red, offering a unique spectacle! If you're driving, we suggest using your vehicle to reach and park in the public parking nearby.

More than a graveyard, the Staglieno Cemetery is a gigantic work of art, an open-air museum considered one of the most fascinating in Europe. What astonishes is the majesty of its monumental chapels that range from Gothic to Liberty, passing through Byzantine and Neoclassical styles. The place fascinated Nietzsche, Mark Twain, and Ernest Hemingway. Here lie notable citizens and bourgeois of Genoa, along with illustrious foreigners who stayed in the Ligurian capital. Among the many significant names, we recall Fabrizio De André and writer Fernanda Pivano. Designed in 1835 by architect Carlo Barabino, Staglieno Cemetery is a representation of 19th-century Genoa.

It features a Pantheon (or Chapel of Suffrages), galleries, and porticos with hundreds of monuments that testify to the extraordinary art of Ligurian 19th and 20th centuries, alongside the Irregular Grove, inspired by the schemes of romantic gardens, where the tombs of the Mille and other heroes of the Risorgimento are found.

Thematic routes: inside, you can participate in various thematic paths, such as the one on the Protagonists of the Renaissance or the Religions and Traditions route. Find all the information on the official website.

A few kilometers from the center of Genoa lies the village of Nervi. In addition to its charming marina and seafront promenade, the highlight of the area is its splendid park: a large green space made up of various gardens, that once belonged to the Gropallo, Saluzzo Serra, Grimaldi Fassio, and Luxoro villas, now home to valuable modern and contemporary art museums.

With English lawns, palm trees, and other rare and precious trees, fountains, and a rose garden, the park evokes the refined life of the aristocratic owners of the past. It's an ideal place to stroll and admire the sea, also suitable for visiting with children!

Watch the sunset from the Anita Garibaldi promenade: along with the Lantern, the park is one of the best places to enjoy the sunset, especially from the Anita Garibaldi promenade, over a kilometer of terrace overlooking the sea. If you arrive here by car, you can count on many parking spaces nearby.

Getting to Genoa is very easy: the city is served by Cristoforo Colombo Airport (compare flights - from $19.00) in Sestri Ponente, connected to the center by public transport. The maritime stations connect Genoa with the main ports of the Mediterranean. The railway lines represent a convenient and effective solution not only to reach the Ligurian capital but also to move around within it. Finally, there are four highways that allow access to Genoa by car: A12, A10, A26, and A7. Driving into the city is the best option if you live in Northern and Central Italy.

Genoa has a unique layout: a lower part (the more touristy area) and a higher part where there aren't many attractions, but the views of the city and sea are spectacular. A hotel in this latter area costs less, but it can require up to an hour of travel, so it's better to stay in the lower area (compare lodging on Booking.com from $43.00). Staying here makes the historical center and the Old Port area easily explorable on foot. However, using public transport is essential to reach other areas (buses, metro, funiculars, elevators, regional trains). The historic center is also the hub of nightlife, along with the Old Port.

In general, Genoa is a city that can be visited at any time of the year. From April to June and September-October are the mildest months. Keep in mind that in July and August, in addition to being quite hot, the Riviera can be very crowded and uncomfortable to navigate. In September, there's the Nautical Show, while in May and October the Rolli Days are held.

If you are traveling with children, we recommend staying in the center, close to major attractions and with all services at hand, or in the eastern appendage, from Boccadasse to Nervi, rich in greenery, parks, and small beaches. A visit to the Aquarium and the Museum of the Sea is a must! Finally, if you are traveling on a budget, the cost of living in Genoa is on par with other Italian cities, but squares, caruggi, and viewpoints are beautiful and characteristic attractions at no cost.