Genoa
Discover Genoa
Genoa (Italian: Genova, Ligurian: Zena) is a historic port city in northern Italy, the capital of the Liguria region. As a tourist attraction, it is often overshadowed by cities such as Rome or Venice, even though it has a long history as a rich and powerful trade centre. However, with its multitude of hidden gems behind cozy alleyways, excellent cuisine (notably pesto, focaccia, and seafood), renovated old port, beautiful sights (including one of Europe's biggest aquariums), and its position as the European Capital of Culture in 2004, the birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo) is an enticing place which is gradually becoming more included in the tourism market. With its profusion of slate-roofed houses, lovely seaside villas, and several luxurious boutiques, Genoa is a must-see if you want to experience the quintessential Italy. When visiting northwestern Italy (Milan, Turin) it is absolutely worth staying for a couple of days or a weekend in Genoa. The city is a good base to explore the Italian Riviera and world-famous places like Portofino and the Cinque Terre.
What to Experience in Genoa
Taste of Genoa...
The vast majority of places charge service for a fixed amount per person (called coperto), as is customary in Italy. A trattoria, cafe or bar will not charge this fee for lunch, and this is often a good place to get pasta or a sandwich in the afternoon. Restaurants are open from approximately 12:30 - 15:00 for lunch and 19:30 - 22:00 for dinner. Pesto sauce originates from the city of Genova. It is used in many dishes, including pastas and pizzas. Another must try from the Genovese or Ligurian cuisine is focaccia, which is a flat oven-baked Italian bread that may be topped with onions, herbs, or other foodstuffs. Focaccie are quite tasty and often cheaper than pizzas. There are many 'focaccerie' scattered throughout Genova and its surroundings. These are basically take away places, and easy on the wallet, too. In many of the focaccerie, you will find improvised varieties of focaccie, but usually, the best tasting ones come with only tomatoes or onions and a bit of olive oil. The original "focaccia" is simply topped with olive oil, salt and a little bit of white wine Don't miss a chance to try farinata, a thin crusty pie made with chickpea flour, water, salt, and olive oil. Area of Porto Antico. Down of piazza Caricamento and close to the Bigo there is a float restaurant with the nose of it being a night bar, with sometimes offering live music. Wide wood chairs to relax and see the sea in summer.
Climate
It is easy to travel to Genoa by train from Milan, Turin, Rome, Tuscany (Pisa, Livorno and Florence (changing train in Pisa or Viareggio)) and France (changing train in Ventimiglia). There are regular InterCity trains of Trenitalia every 1-2 hours per direction with regional trains running every 20-60 minutes in all directions. A direct ÖBB Nightjet night train runs several times a week from Munich and Vienna, taking 14 hr 20 min via Klagenfurt, Villach, Padua, Vicenza, Verona Porta Nuova and Milan Rogoredo to Genoa Piazza Principe, and continuing to La Spezia. There are two main train stations in Genoa. 44.40698.947042 Brignole serves most local routes and provides access to many bus lines. 44.417428.920113 Principe serves local and long-distance trains, and some trains from Milan and beyond will only stop at this station. If you are arriving at Principe and intend to walk to the port: mapping apps will try to send you down one of the Vicoli to along Via Del Pré.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsIt is easy to travel to Genoa by train from Milan, Turin, Rome, Tuscany (Pisa, Livorno and Florence (changing train in Pisa or Viareggio)) and France (changing train in Ventimiglia). There are regular InterCity trains of Trenitalia every 1-2 hours per direction with regional trains running every 20-60 minutes in all directions. A direct ÖBB Nightjet night train runs several times a week from Munich and Vienna, taking 14 hr 20 min via Klagenfurt, Villach, Padua, Vicenza, Verona Porta Nuova and Milan Rogoredo to Genoa Piazza Principe, and continuing to La Spezia. There are two main train stations in Genoa. 44.40698.947042 Brignole serves most local routes and provides access to many bus lines. 44.417428.920113 Principe serves local and long-distance trains, and some trains from Milan and beyond will only stop at this station. If you are arriving at Principe and intend to walk to the port: mapping apps will try to send you down one of the Vicoli to along Via Del Pré....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Locals will say driving around the city is somewhat faster than public transportation (traffic jams at rush hours notwithstanding), but once you have reached your destination you are faced with the nightmare and frustration of looking for a nonexistent parking spot. It is not just chance that most locals switched from cars to scooters - to the extent that even finding a spot for a scooter has become difficult too. All attractions within the center are in walking distance or well served by public transportation, therefore a car is of no use at all. If you still decide to drive into the city, don't bet on available street parking (there are street parking fees anyway) go directly to a parking garage and hope not all of them are full. If you think of driving to the beach on a sunny weekend day within Genoa or in another town along the coast, forget it. Finding a parking spot in walking distance to your beach is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Use public transit instead.
Where to Stay
Streets in Genoa are usually quite safe, especially in the main tourist areas and residential areas. Downtown, Quarto dei Mille, Quinto del Mare and Nervi are all safe districts during the day as well as the evening. However, some limited areas in the historical centre off the main alleys might be subject to petty crime or just be uncomfortable for the general tourist (e.g. prostitutes waiting for clients in the middle of the day in dark side alleys just a couple of blocks away from a tourist attraction). Especially north of Piazza Caricamento/via Banchi/via Luccoli, around the Via Pré and in the Stazione Principe area, it is advisable to exercise extra caution and follow your common sense, e.g. avoid walking into narrower, darker, deserted alleys off the main paths unless you know where you are going. Pay special attention to your surroundings, avoid displaying flashy items and do not carry large amounts of cash or valuables.
Money & Budget
Genoa is great for shopping. You have the designer boutiques, department stores, food shops, and antique dealers. Downtown, for those who want luxury boutique browsing, you can find world class fashion along Via XX Settembre, starting from Piazza Ferrari. There are a lot of small, picturesque and tourism-related shops in the centre. These are mainly in the central squares and the small alleways. You can find souvenir stalls, kiosks selling books and snacks, sailor-themed stalls, traditional flea markets, modern and antique furniture dealers, little bookstores and tiny art galleries. There is a large shopping center called Fiumara located near Genova Sampierdarena train station. To reach Fiumara, take a local train to Genova Sampierdarena station and exit the station.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Streets in Genoa are usually quite safe, especially in the main tourist areas and residential areas. Downtown, Quarto dei Mille, Quinto del Mare and Nervi are all safe districts during the day as well as the evening. However, some limited areas in the historical centre off the main alleys might be subject to petty crime or just be uncomfortable for the general tourist (e.g. prostitutes waiting for clients in the middle of the day in dark side alleys just a couple of blocks away from a tourist attraction). Especially north of Piazza Caricamento/via Banchi/via Luccoli, around the Via Pré and in the Stazione Principe area, it is advisable to exercise extra caution and follow your common sense, e.g. avoid walking into narrower, darker, deserted alleys off the main paths unless you know where you are going. Pay special attention to your surroundings, avoid displaying flashy items and do not carry large amounts of cash or valuables.
Glimpses of Genoa
brown and white concrete buildings beside river under blue sky during daytime
buildings during day
a view of a city at dusk from above
Liguria Italy and its well worth a visit to the fascinating city of Genoa, the fountain in the main square incredible and can easily be seen from whichever road that approaches it.
white and red boat on sea during daytime
a body of water with boats and buildings along it
a city with a lot of tall buildings next to a body of water
person standing near outdoor fountain
Genova
a city with a large body of water in the foreground
brown and white concrete buildings beside river under blue sky during daytime
buildings during day
a view of a city at dusk from above