{"id":16995,"date":"2026-02-11T15:35:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T14:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/?p=16995"},"modified":"2026-01-21T15:59:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:59:35","slug":"what-to-see-and-do-in-genoa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/en\/travel-ideas\/what-to-see-and-do-in-genoa\/","title":{"rendered":"What to see and do in Genoa: the best places to visit in the magnificent Ligurian city"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n

What to see in Genoa: the main highlights for a first trip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Genoa<\/strong> for the first time is like leafing through an ancient book, where each page tells the story of a different era. The city centre is compact yet layered, making it easy to reach many points of interest on foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reach Genoa with Italo<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Old Port and the Genoa Aquarium<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Old Port<\/strong> is the natural starting point for getting to know Genoa<\/strong> and its deep, inseparable bond with the sea. The redevelopment designed by Renzo Piano has given the city back an open, airy and vibrant waterfront, where water becomes an integral part of the urban experience. Between piers, walkways and squares overlooking the harbour<\/strong>, museums, green spaces, caf\u00e9s and leisure areas come together, creating a well-balanced mix of culture and everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is where the Genoa Aquarium <\/strong>is located, one of the largest and most visited in Europe, offering an engaging journey through the marine world and highlighting the role Genoa<\/strong> has played over the centuries as a great seafaring city. Even without stepping inside, the Old Port deserves time and attention:<\/strong> strolling along the piers, watching the boats, breathing in the salty sea air and seeing the city reflected on the water is a simple yet authentic way to immediately capture Genoa\u2019s port soul and begin your journey with your eyes turned toward the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The historic centre and the <\/strong>caruggi<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Genoa\u2019s historic centre is one of the largest and most intricate in Europe<\/strong> and is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and identity-defining things to see in the city. It\u2019s a dense web of streets, arches, hidden squares and sudden open spaces that tell centuries of maritime, popular and religious history. The caruggi<\/em>, with their narrow and often shadowy alleyways, can feel disorienting at first\u2014but that very feeling is what makes them so authentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you wander through these streets, surprises are constant: a historic shop that has survived for generations, a small church tucked between buildings, the scent of fresh bread drifting from a nearby bakery, an old focaccia shop drawing you in with its warm oven<\/strong>. The historic centre isn\u2019t meant to be rushed or followed by rigid itineraries: this isn\u2019t a place you \u201cvisit\u201d in the traditional sense, but one you explore with curiosity and care. Letting instinct guide you, taking a wrong turn, retracing your steps\u2014these are all part of the experience, and often the best way to grasp Genoa\u2019s truest, most everyday soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Link a: https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/en\/travel-ideas\/what-to-see-in-genoa-in-3-days\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Piazza De Ferrari and Via XX Settembre<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The modern heart of the city and, at the same time, one of its most powerful symbols, Piazza De Ferrari<\/strong> is a key crossroads for understanding Genoa\u2019s urban evolution. This is where the dense fabric of the historic centre opens up into a more ordered, monumental city shaped by the late 19th century and major economic transformations. The iconic central fountain, with its constant movement, serves as a natural landmark\u2014a place to pause, observe and find your bearings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overlooking the square are buildings that reflect Genoa\u2019s more institutional and formal face, such as the Doge\u2019s Palace and the grand financial and administrative architectures that speak of a city that was, for centuries, an economic and political powerhouse. From here begins Via XX Settembre<\/strong>, an elegant, arcaded shopping street where Liberty-style architecture meets everyday life, historic stores and major international brands. Walking along it means stepping into bourgeois, rational and dynamic Genoa<\/strong>, perfectly completing the transition from the medieval maze of the caruggi<\/em> to a more modern, forward-looking city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Among the must-see sights in Genoa, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo<\/strong> is an essential stop, capable of telling centuries of the city\u2019s history at a single glance. Its unmistakable black-and-white striped fa\u00e7ade immediately catches the eye, standing out within the urban landscape as a powerful visual and symbolic landmark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stepping inside, the atmosphere shifts. The interior\u2014both spacious and intimate at the same time\u2014preserves works of art, chapels, relics and architectural details<\/strong> that reflect the cathedral\u2019s central role in Genoa\u2019s religious and civic life. It\u2019s one of those places where the city\u2019s rhythm seems to slow down naturally, offering a moment of silence and reflection right in the heart of the historic centre. Pausing for a few minutes, even just to watch the light filter through the naves, helps you connect with a deeper, more intimate side of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rolli Palaces and Strada Nuova<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Via Garibaldi, once known as Strada Nuova<\/strong>, is one of the city\u2019s most striking streets and home to the famous Rolli Palaces<\/strong>, extraordinary noble residences now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This elegant urban axis was created in the 16th century as a showcase of Genoese power\u2014a street designed to impress, where the most influential families of the Republic built monumental palaces intended to host ambassadors, princes and distinguished guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply walking along the street already reveals the architectural grandeur and cultural ambition<\/strong> of Genoa at its height, through imposing fa\u00e7ades, perfectly balanced perspectives and refined details. Stepping inside one of the palace-museums, however, takes the experience even further: spectacular frescoes, richly decorated halls, grand staircases and inner courtyards tell the story of a cosmopolitan city, cultured and deeply connected to its international role. It\u2019s an essential stop for understanding why Genoa was, for centuries, one of the Mediterranean\u2019s leading economic and cultural capitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Travel to and from Genoa with Italo<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Genoa between sea and views: what to see outdoors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Genoa is a vertical city, suspended between hills and the sea. This unique layout makes it perfect for those who love panoramic views and open-air walks<\/strong>, offering a constant dialogue between nature, urban landscapes and the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boccadasse, the seaside village<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Boccadasse is without a doubt one of the most photographed and recognizable places to visit in Genoa. Yet, despite its popularity, it has managed to preserve an authentic, deeply maritime soul<\/strong>. This small fishing village, nestled between the city centre and the sea, seems to move at a different pace from the rest of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pastel-colored houses face one another like a natural amphitheatre, small boats rest on the shore according to ancient traditions, and the narrow alleyways gently open onto a small pebble beach. Everything here invites you to slow down, leaving room for contemplation and simplicity. Boccadasse is the perfect place for a break, far from traffic and urban noise\u2014especially at sunset, when the sea reflects golden light and becomes the true star of the scene<\/strong>, offering one of the most evocative moments in all of Genoa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Corso Italia and the seafront promenade<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Those looking for things to do outdoors in Genoa<\/strong> will find Corso Italia to be one of the city\u2019s most pleasant and representative walks. This long promenade overlooking the sea connects different urban beaches and beach clubs, offering open views of the horizon that contrast beautifully with the verticality and density of the historic centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corso Italia is ideal for walking without haste, jogging, cycling or simply sitting and watching the sea<\/strong>, letting yourself be accompanied by the sound of the waves. Here, Genoa reveals a different side of itself: more relaxed, bright and unmistakably Mediterranean. It\u2019s the perfect spot to enjoy a sunny afternoon, a seaside lunch or an evening stroll, discovering a city that opens up and shows a lighter, more laid-back dimension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spianata Castelletto and the city viewpoint<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Among Genoa\u2019s most breathtaking panoramas, the view from Spianata Castelletto<\/strong> stands out as an absolute must. From this terrace, the city unfolds in all its complexity: rooftops packed tightly together, the historic centre spreading toward the port, and the sea closing the horizon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reaching the viewpoint is already part of the experience, thanks to the historic elevators that climb the hillside and connect the lower city with higher ground. Once at the top, the reward is immediate: one of the most iconic views of Genoa<\/strong>, perfect for understanding its vertical nature and capturing the essence of a city that rises between land and sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Exploring Cinque Terre: A Guide to Italy\u2019s Stunning Coastal Gem<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Exploring Cinque Terre offers an unforgettable adventure into the heart of Italy\u2019s maritime landscape, where the azure waters, rugged cliffs, and lush vineyards create a backdrop of unparalleled beauty. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What to do in Genoa beyond the classic attractions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve explored the city\u2019s iconic sights, Genoa continues to offer less obvious but equally meaningful experiences, perfect for those who want to go deeper and discover a different side of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riding the funiculars and historic elevators<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Genoa is a city built vertically, suspended between the sea and the hills, and this is precisely why it\u2019s famous for its unique system of vertical transport<\/strong> within the urban landscape. Riding a funicular or one of the historic elevators isn\u2019t just a practical way to overcome steep climbs\u2014it becomes a true journey within the city<\/strong>, and often an unexpected one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you ascend, sudden glimpses open up between palaces, rooftops, narrow alleys and fragments of the sea that change perspective meter by meter. These transport systems tell another side of Genoa\u2019s story: the ingenious ways the city has adapted to its complex geography over time. Using them isn\u2019t just about convenience\u2014it\u2019s a way to better understand Genoa\u2019s structure and how it has learned to coexist with its own vertical nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visiting lesser-known museums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the major museums, Genoa is home to many smaller, surprising cultural spaces<\/strong>: collections dedicated to the sea, music and industrial history. They\u2019re ideal for travelers who want to dig deeper and discover a more intimate, less narrated Genoa. Here are some of the city\u2019s lesser-known museums worth exploring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n