Embark on a magical journey again in time to Genoa, the capital of the Ligurian area of Italy.
Often handed over by vacationers for extra well-liked locations similar to Venice, Florence, and Rome. I’m certain you’re questioning what to do in Genoa, Italy, and whether it is price making the journey, however I can let you know that we adored our twenty-four hours in Italy’s sixth-largest metropolis, Genoa.
Even with simply someday in Genoa, you’ll thrill in Genoa’s distinctive delicacies, ornate paintings, plentiful purchasing choices, and maritime custom. With a historical past courting again over 2,500 years, Genoa boasts many claims to fame together with the town the place Christopher Columbus was born, the house of famed violinist Nicolò Paganini, and a buffet of beautiful structure representing Gothic, Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque kinds.
In simply someday you’ll perceive why Charles Dickens in his Pictures from Italy mentioned about Genoa, “It is a place that ‘grows upon you’ every day. There seems to be always something to find out in it.”
We left feeling like we simply sampled the highlights and may’t wait to return to dive deeper, exploring the town’s hidden piazzas, opulent palaces, and close by fishing villages.
Here is my recommended plan to pack essentially the most into a wonderful one-day go to to Genoa. Ready, set, go!
What to do in Genoa
Editor’s Note: The creator was supplied with discounted and/or complimentary excursions and passes in order that she might strive them and evaluation them in your info. All opinions are her personal. This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All pictures courtesy of Lisa Grabelle except in any other case famous.
Old Port
In this seafaring metropolis, there isn’t a higher method to kick off your day than strolling via the bustling Old Port, Portico Antico. The port is a hub for each vacationers and locals abounding with museums, eating places, historic buildings, tour boats, and a playground. Once you arrive on the port, flip round, face inland, and soak in the fantastic thing about this metropolis constructed vertically approach up into the mountainside.
Genoa’s Aquarium
Kids of all ages (and adults, too) will take pleasure in Genoa’s Aquarium, the biggest in all of Europe. This great aquarium options 70 tanks flourishing with over 12,000 fish and different sea animals representing 600 species. We all felt like children laughing on the playful antics of the penguins and dolphins, and marveling on the number of sharks.
For these fascinated by endangered natural world, duck into the Biosphere which is suspended over the ocean and situated proper outdoors the Aquarium. You may also take a ship trip or go to the Galata Maritime Museum.
Bigo
Next, head 40 meters vertically in Bigo, the panoramic elevator raise designed by Genoese architect Renzo Piano, that zips you approach above the town for a superb 360-degree aerial view.
TIP: Buy your Old Port attraction tickets on-line earlier than you arrive in Genoa. Book a time slot for the Aquarium since it’s a tremendous well-liked attraction. Combination tickets together with each Bigo and the Biosphere are additionally obtainable.
Eataly Genoa
Directly throughout from Bigo, you’ll discover Eataly Genoa. Weave your approach via the highest flooring connoisseur market with numerous tempting free samples (even caviar!) and fabulous harborside views. Choose between a fast focaccia or pizza lunch or choose one of many tasty sit-down choices. On your approach out, give your gang a sugar rush at Eataly’s ground-floor gelato and crepe stand.
We particularly loved the stracciatella, a scoop of milk-based gelato topped with sizzling chocolate sauce that freezes on contact. Mmmm. Right subsequent to the doorway to the port, you’ll want to admire the outside of the Palazzo San Giorgio, constructed between 1257 and 1260.
Genova Segway
Genoa’s alleys, streets, and neighborhoods seamlessly mix historical past with trendy life. What is one of the best (and most enjoyable) method to see the town? Zip across the metropolis on a Segway. Matthia, proprietor of Genova Segway (based mostly proper on the Old Port) and our entertaining tour information, led us as we glided via the medieval middle, with stops at high sights such because the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Palazzo Ducale, and the Teatro Carlo Felice.
We even buzzed via the town’s well-known indoor purchasing galleria. We lined extra floor in 60 minutes than we might have walked round for hours. All smiles from my crew.
TIP: Check the Segway firm’s web site to make sure your youngsters are sufficiently old to trip. All excursions embody a brief lesson on the driving fundamentals (or a refresher course for you Segway consultants).
Strada Nuova Museums
A should in Genoa is a go to to the UNESCO World Heritage Palaces, the Strada Nuova Museums. Whether you solely have an hour or spend all day, you’ll take pleasure in your time meandering via the large three of the 42 Palazzi dei Rolli palaces, the Palazzo Rosso (Red Palace), the Palazzo Bianco (White Palace) and the Palazzo Tursi.
These historic palaces home one-of-a-kind creative masterpieces starting from work by Rubens, Van Dyck, and Caravaggio, to richly woven carpets, and a tranquil courtyard, offering you with a glimpse into the opulent life of the mid-sixteenth century.
TIP: Consider buying a Genova City Pass that gives you with experiences, admissions, and different perks. On their web site, you’ll be able to personalize the move to fit your household’s journey pursuits, similar to arts, “edutainment,” museums, journey, and so on. You may also determine how lengthy you desire to the move to be legitimate. All passes embody free journey on the Genoa AMT public transport system.
Shopping
Time to buy! Head to Genoa’s city middle, the Piazza de Ferrari, and set off beneath the town’s attractive porticos lining Via XX Settembre, which shade the entrances to Genoa’s purchasing thoroughfare. Whether your crew is into window purchasing or true retail remedy, strolling beneath the town’s stunning porticos is a should.
Head within the route of the Mercato Orientale on Via XX Settembre, a bustling market stuffed with locals that envelops you with the sights, sounds, and smells of fruits, greens, meats, cheeses, dried herbs, olives, and different Ligurian merchandise.
Genoa Food Tour
End your day with a top-rated Soul of Genoa Food Tour. Led by proprietor Alessandro, we explored the secrets and techniques of the carruggi (slim walkways of the Old Town) whereas stopping alongside the way in which to style genuine Genoese delicacies. Alessandro regaled us with grand tales about Genoa’s meals, artwork, tradition, traditions, and historical past.
We toured specialty outlets providing native delicacies together with tripe, chocolate-dipped flower petals, and fish preserved in salt. We sampled native specialties similar to focaccia, farinata (chickpea pancakes) and different savory tartes, native wine, and Genoese sweets.
For us, the spotlight was scrumptious home made pastas served alfresco at a family-run trattoria. Alessandro revealed hidden alleyways, courtyards, shops, and palaces we might by no means have found on our personal. Soul of Genoa affords different strolling excursions, too, in addition to cooking lessons.
Where to Stay in Genoa
The well-located and historic Hotel Astoria is a fast five-minute stroll to the Genoa Brignole Train Station. We loved our fashionable, spacious trendy rooms and elegantly embellished bogs (however as a heads-up, like many different European accommodations, our bathtub/bathe lacked a door or curtain to include the hand held spray head). The just lately renovated Hotel Astoria options designer decor, a luxurious breakfast buffet, fitness center, lounge space, and a pleasant, useful entrance desk workers.
How to get round
This metropolis begs to be explored on foot. We walked about 8 miles throughout our one-day go to. If you favor, you’ll be able to simply take a City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus, public buses, the subway, funiculars, ferries, and/or taxis.
Day journeys from Genoa
Genoa is a centrally situated base to take a day journey or two. Hop on a practice or hire a automobile to discover the world’s spectacular Italian Riviera cities, similar to Portofino and Rapallo. Consider touring Cinque Terre; we squeezed in a go to to all 5 scenic hamlets in someday by way of practice. While our Cinque Terre go to was low season, in late December, when many outlets and eating places have been closed, we nonetheless cherished our day. Our highlights included strolling alongside Riomaggiore’s harbor, having fun with the view from Corniglia, taking an artisanal gelato break in Vernazza, aperitivos at sundown in Manarola at Nessun Dorma, and eating on native specialties similar to walnut ravioli at Ristorante Moretto in Monterosso.
You may also take a day journey or prolong your journey to spend 2 days in Milan or take pleasure in some wine tasting in Piedmont.
TIPS: While visiting the Italian Riviera within the hotter climate is good, a winter go to will also be rewarding. We visited in December and located the climate to be very snug for sightseeing. Pack a lightweight jacket and an umbrella for attainable showers.
Genoa, you stole our hearts! We can’t wait to go to once more, this time for an extended keep.
About the Author
This visitor submit was written by Lisa Grabelle. Lisa, a journey author for Hilton Hotels, has been touring all her life…34 nations and loving it! Originally from the sunny skies of Miami, Lisa, a former lawyer, lives close to Philadelphia together with her husband and has two daughters who’re in faculty. Travel is her ardour. As quickly as one trip ends, Lisa busily plans her subsequent journey for her continuous household of adventurers. Lisa’s motto is “don’t just visit the destination…live it!” You can observe Lisa on Twitter or Instagram.
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