Genoa
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Tips
8 places on the map
Instagrammable
- 1
Colourful fishing village within the city
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Go for gelato
- Sunset is great
- Bus 31 or 42
📷 Photos
- 2
Panoramic terrace reached by a Liberty-style lift
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Take the Art Nouveau elevator
- Best at sunset
- Cheap fare
📷 Photos
- 3
Historic lighthouse, symbol of the city
3 tips
- Walk or take bus 20
- Panoramic park
- Check tower opening
📷 Photos
- 4
Renzo Piano panoramic lift in the old port
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Ticketed lift
- Sunset views
- Next to the aquarium
📷 Photos
- 5
Grand central square with a bronze fountain
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Lit at night
- Near opera house
- Good starting point
📷 Photos
- 6
UNESCO street of Renaissance palaces
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Rolli palaces
- Museums on this street
📷 Photos
- 7
Medieval gate beside the Columbus house
3 tips
- Photogenic
- Near Casa di Colombo
- Free to view
📷 Photos
- 8
Renovated old port with promenades and attractions
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Evening stroll
- Boat trips leave here
- Restaurants along the quay
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Genoa tips
Transportation
- Use the lifts and funiculars: Genoa's public elevators and funiculars climb the steep hills and are part of the AMT public transport network.
- Ride the metro: The single metro line links Brignole, the old town and Principe station, faster than buses at rush hour.
- Take the train along the coast: Regional trains reach Camogli, Santa Margherita and the Cinque Terre, ideal for day trips.
Security
- Be careful in the caruggi at night: Some narrow old town alleys near the port can feel unsafe after dark, so stick to busier streets.
- Watch for pickpockets: Keep bags secure on buses and in crowded areas like the Aquarium and Porto Antico.
- Heed weather alerts: Heavy autumn rains can cause flash flooding; follow local weather alerts and avoid low-lying areas.
Saving
- Get a museum card: The Genoa Museum Card covers many museums and can include public transport, saving money on sightseeing.
- Eat focaccia: Fresh focaccia from local bakeries is a cheap and delicious snack or breakfast.
- Explore for free: Walking the Strade Nuove and Via Garibaldi to admire the palaces costs nothing.
Weather/Clothing
- Enjoy mild winters: Genoa's Mediterranean climate means mild winters, but bring a jacket and umbrella for rainy days.
- Pack for warm summers: Summers are warm and humid, so bring light clothes and sunscreen.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The city is hilly with steep stairs, so sturdy walking shoes are essential.
Cultural
- Try authentic pesto: Genoa is the home of pesto alla genovese, best enjoyed with trofie or trenette pasta.
- Dip focaccia in cappuccino: Locals often enjoy focaccia with their morning cappuccino, a quirky Genoese tradition.
- Taste farinata: This thin chickpea pancake is a classic Ligurian street food, best hot from the oven.
Local Hacks
- Visit Boccadasse: This colourful fishing village within the city is perfect for a sunset stroll and gelato.
- Get views from Spianata Castelletto: Take the lift up to this terrace for panoramic views over the city and port.
- Join Rolli Days: During these events, the UNESCO-listed Rolli palaces open their doors, often for free; check dates in advance.
1-day itineraries in Genoa
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
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