Genoa.

What to do in Genoa Liguria Italy

Genoa wraps around a working Mediterranean bay, rising steeply into the hills. Days balance between getting lost in the dense medieval centro storico, ducking into historic friggitorie for fried fish, and marveling at aristocratic art collections inside Strada Nuova palaces. It suits independent walkers who appreciate unpolished character, maritime heritage, and straightforward northern Italian cooking.

24 hours in Genoa Liguria Italy

Start with warm focaccia near Mercato Orientale, then tour the grand courtyards of Via Garibaldi by midday. Walk through the caruggi to Piazza San Matteo for an afternoon espresso, and finish with trofie al pesto and Vermentino at a trattoria off Piazza delle Erbe. The central historic core is entirely walkable on foot. Select 1 Day above to see it.

2 days in Genoa Liguria Italy

Spend your second morning riding the Ascensore Castelletto for panoramic harbour views before heading east along Corso Italia to Boccadasse. Spend the afternoon wandering its pastel fishing harbour, eating stuffed pansotti, and enjoying the sea breeze away from the city centre. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.

3 days in Genoa Liguria Italy

A third day lets you board the regional train toward Camogli for freshly fried squid on the stony beach, or ride the historic Casella narrow-gauge railway into the inland hills to hike between seventeenth-century forts along the ancient defensive ridge.

Genoa Liguria Italy itineraries by interest

• Street Food in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Grab warm focaccia genovese dipped in morning cappuccino, or crisp chickpea farinata straight from wood-fired copper pans at ancient sciamadde.

• Renaissance Palaces in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Walk the UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli along Via Garibaldi, touring Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Bianco to see Rubens canvases and frescoed vaults.

• Maritime History in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Visit Galata Museo del Mare and the old port docks where Christopher Columbus and Mediterranean trade fleets sailed for seven centuries.

• Pasta Traditions in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Order hand-twisted trofie or pansotti with walnut sauce, dressed in mortar-ground basil pesto made with local DOP Pra basil and pine nuts.

• Local Seafood in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Eat fritto misto of anchovies and squid wrapped in brown paper cones at the dockside friggitorie near Piazza Caricamento.

• Historic Shops in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Browse centuries-old botteghe storiche like Pietro Romanengo fu Stefano for candied fruit and Confetteria Profumo for traditional pastries.

• Public Elevators in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Ride the Art Nouveau Ascensore Castelletto or the Zecca-Righi funicular for sweeping views over slate rooftops and the Mediterranean.

• Markets & Produce in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Wander Mercato Orientale on Via XX Settembre for piles of artichokes, salted anchovies, Prescinsêua cheese, and bunches of fresh herbs.

• Sacred Architecture in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Step inside the striped black-and-white zebra facade of the Romanesque Cattedrale di San Lorenzo to view its subterranean treasury.

• Coastal Walks in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Take the seaside promenade from Corso Italia to Boccadasse, an old pastel fishing village with a pebble beach and small trattorias.

• Hilltop Forts in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Hike the ridge above the city to Forte Diamante and the seventeenth-century defensive walls via the narrow-gauge Casella mountain railway.

• Regional Wine in Genoa Liguria Italy

  Sip crisp Vermentino and mineral Pigato from the Riviera hills alongside fried panissa in hole-in-the-wall enoteche off Piazza delle Erbe.