Genoa

Genoa (Italian: Genova, Ligurian: Zena) is a historic port city in northern Italy, the capital of the Liguria region. As a tourist attraction, 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 fish 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 touristic market. With unusual typical slate-roofed houses, artistic churches, 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.

Paolo Coelho wrote: "Among the marvels of Italy, it will take some digging to find the beauties of Genova, but it is worth visiting it. I remember walking there with a friend, when she suddenly said: 'Let’s stop for a bit. I can’t stand this orange color!'"

Genoa is a place where you discover daily new surprises, even if you stay for years.

The city may be less known by major tourist operators, but its splendor is often hidden inside the narrow streets of the historical center, called "vicoli".

Genoa is a sort of decayed glorious port town, whose decay, however, is what makes it so interesting and pretty. The façades of grand palaces are hidden in scruffy, yet enticing alleyways, and there are really curious treats for anyone in virtually every alley. The city is your "typical" Italian one - quite sunny (during summer), with Mediterranean-looking houses topped by slate roofs, filled to the brim with outdoor cafes and bars, with lots of tiny and quirky alleyways, elegant designer shops, and restaurants. Today, also, the old port has been renovated, and has some funky avant-garde modern architecture, a delightful marina, and several seaside bars and shops.

Genoa has Europe’s largest preserved historical centers, made up of an incredible number of tiny streets and alleys called Caruggi. Walking through it will plump you right back in ancient times when Genoa was the most important harbor of the Mediterranean sea. The city is generally safe, but caution is to be applied, especially at night time and in the more quiet zones toward Piazza Principe and the old harbor, due to presence of petty crime.

• Cristoforo Colombo house. The house where Columbus lived as a child.
• The impressive fortification belt built on the hills surrounding the city, originating in the 16th Century.
• Spianata Castelletto. A nice belvedere where one can have a pleasant view of the city and of the seaport. It can be reached by public lift from Piazza della Nunziata or on foot from that very same square.
• Via Garibaldi. also known as Via Aurea and Strada Nuova, Golden Street and New Street has very impressive baroque buildings.
• Some similar buildings are also found in Via Balbi.
• The Old Harbour. An entertainment area with museums, cinemas, cafés and also a beautiful promenade along the sea.
• Lanterna di Genova, Access through Lanterna pedestrian promenade (800m) starting near the ferry terminal in Via Milano (100 m from bus stops; 400 m from "Dinegro" subway station; 1.5 km from Principe train station; 1.5 km from "Genova Ovest" highway exit, +39 349 2809485. Sa Su 14:30-18:30 (last access: 18:00). The prominent Genovese symbol since 1128: the second tallest traditional lighthouse in the world €6 full price; €4 reduced price.
• A lot of beautiful churches, some of which date back to the Romanesque time (San Giovanni di Pre', San Donato, Santa Maria del Castello)
• Castello d'Albertis.
• Palazzo Ducale. Where the Dukes of Genoa used to live.
• Cathedral of San Lorenzo.
• Galeone Neptune. Replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon.
• Via Balbi. Also has some similar buildings.

Cristoforo Colombo house. The house where Columbus lived as a child.

Spianata Castelletto. A nice belvedere where one can have a pleasant view of the city and of the seaport. It can be reached by public lift from Piazza della Nunziata or on foot from that very same square.

Via Garibaldi. also known as Via Aurea and Strada Nuova, Golden Street and New Street has very impressive baroque buildings.

Some similar buildings are also found in Via Balbi.

The Old Harbour. An entertainment area with museums, cinemas, cafés and also a beautiful promenade along the sea.

Lanterna di Genova, Access through Lanterna pedestrian promenade (800m) starting near the ferry terminal in Via Milano (100 m from bus stops; 400 m from "Dinegro" subway station; 1.5 km from Principe train station; 1.5 km from "Genova Ovest" highway exit, +39 349 2809485. Sa Su 14:30-18:30 (last access: 18:00). The prominent Genovese symbol since 1128: the second tallest traditional lighthouse in the world €6 full price; €4 reduced price.

Castello d'Albertis.

Palazzo Ducale. Where the Dukes of Genoa used to live.

Cathedral of San Lorenzo.

Galeone Neptune. Replica of a 17th-century Spanish galleon.

Via Balbi. Also has some similar buildings.

• Museum of Modern Art - Wolfson, +39 010 372 6025.
• Wolfsoniana. A museum of modern applied arts.
• Museum of Modern Art - Villa Croce.
• Museums of Fine Arts - Strada Nuova. Palazzo Bianco (White Palace) and Palazzo Rosso (Red Palace)
• Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art. The biggest European collection of oriental art.
• Museum of St. Augustine. A convent displaying various medieval works of art.
• Luxoro Museum. A private collection which houses various works of art and furniture.
• National Ligurian Gallery at the Spinola Palace.
• Raccolte Frugone. The Nervi's former private art collection.
• Museum of the Ligurian Art Academy.
• Museo di Palazzo Reale. Owns a historical picture gallery.
• Museum at the Prince's Palace. Another Genovese historical art collection.

Museum of Modern Art - Wolfson, +39 010 372 6025.

Wolfsoniana. A museum of modern applied arts.

Museum of Modern Art - Villa Croce.

Museums of Fine Arts - Strada Nuova. Palazzo Bianco (White Palace) and Palazzo Rosso (Red Palace)

Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art. The biggest European collection of oriental art.

Museum of St. Augustine. A convent displaying various medieval works of art.

Luxoro Museum. A private collection which houses various works of art and furniture.

National Ligurian Gallery at the Spinola Palace.

Raccolte Frugone. The Nervi's former private art collection.

Museum of the Ligurian Art Academy.

Museo di Palazzo Reale. Owns a historical picture gallery.

Museum at the Prince's Palace. Another Genovese historical art collection.

• Aquarium. The second biggest in Europe!
• Sea Museum.
• Naval Museum.
• D’Albertis Castle Museum of World Cultures.
• Doria Museum of Natural History.
• The Cathedral Museum.
• Ligurian Archeological Museum.
• Ippolito National Antarctic Museum. Based on the expeditions of Italian scientists to the Antarctic.
• Palazzi dei Rolli. A group of palaces, or rather, fancy private homes whose owners volunteered to host foreign dignitaries during their visits to Genoa in the 16th-17th centuries. On the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Santa Maria di Castello. The cloister of the Dominican order, the museum and the summer cathedral offer a lot of treasures and exploring them is free during the opening hours of the church

Aquarium. The second biggest in Europe!

Sea Museum.

Naval Museum.

D’Albertis Castle Museum of World Cultures.

Doria Museum of Natural History.

The Cathedral Museum.

Ligurian Archeological Museum.

Ippolito National Antarctic Museum. Based on the expeditions of Italian scientists to the Antarctic.

Palazzi dei Rolli. A group of palaces, or rather, fancy private homes whose owners volunteered to host foreign dignitaries during their visits to Genoa in the 16th-17th centuries. On the UNESCO [[World Heritage List]].

Santa Maria di Castello. The cloister of the Dominican order, the museum and the summer cathedral offer a lot of treasures and exploring them is free during the opening hours of the church

• Righi. A spectacular view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. From here, one can have pleasant walks on the surrounding hills and to the fortifications.
• Corso Italia. Genoa's promenade.
• Boccadasse. A picturesque fishermen quarter.

Righi. A spectacular view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. From here, one can have pleasant walks on the surrounding hills and to the fortifications.

Corso Italia. Genoa's promenade.

Boccadasse. A picturesque fishermen quarter.

There are plenty of things to do in Genoa, although it is very advisable to visit in spring and summer. A lot of young kids spend their time playing with their friends in Parks found within certain antique Villas, some of them are also museums (i.e. Villa di Negro- oriental arts museum Edoardo Chiossone). Go for ice cream along the beaches and beach promenades. There are a lot of paintings in the town and on the brick floors which a lot of people admire. Fishing for catfish is also a hobby you might enjoy.

Genoa's main street Via XX settembre, is filled with cafes and high street fashion shops. Start from Brignole station and head towards Piazza De Ferrari. Via San Vincenzo, another popular shopping destination, runs parallel to Via Venti (as the Genoese call it) from Brignole.

De Ferrari square lies in the heart of the city, surrounded by the Carlo Felice theatre, and Palazzo Ducale. Head towards Via San Lorenzo and get lost inside the Centro Storico. A bustling net of alley ways that gains its character from being close to the port and as such is a melting pot of cultures. You can breathe the Sea air and the port of a once strong maritime republic.

It is full of bars, shops, antique barbers (va canneto il lungo), butchers and restaurants. Get lost! (though you might want to take a map because you could get lost.)

On Friday and Saturday nights, these alleyways fill up with people, excellent for bar crawling and living the night. Find its many chupiterias, to get speciality shots or find smaller more rustic birrerias. Occasionally you can find live bands on the streets or in many of the bars, especially by Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza Luzzati.

Take a walk along Corso Italia on a sunny day, this promenade along the sea is a must for the outdoor season. Suited for runners, roller blades, it also has a skate park, Giardini Govi, along its way. Just head south from Brignole Bus Station, along Viale Bisagno Brigate and then turn left, there the promenade begins.

At the end of Corso Italia, there is a church and going down towards the sea you reach Bocadasse, a small beach surrounded by ice cream shops, little boutiques, and restaurants, with terraces over the sea. Adventure yourself along the "creuzäs", (small alley) ways to discover its villas and hidden coves.

Genoa is surrounded by hills, which have fortresses built under Napoleonic rule, to defend the city. You can reach this summit of the hill Righi by taking the funicular at Largo Zecca. From then on you may walk along the woods and access a birds eye view of the city and its port. Its quite a walk, but well worth it.

Nervi is the last neighborhood heading towards levante (east), get here quickly by taking bus number 15 or one of the frequent trains. Here lies an immense park that lies just above cliffs on the sea. It has a sea level promenade and another part of the park which extend towards the hills. There are a few small lakes hidden within the park.

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 some world class fashion-related shopping 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. Turn left and go under a bridge, near which there is a sign to the left for Fiumara. The shopping center is visible from the other side of the bridge and is about 10 minutes walk. The mall can also be reached by car or bus routes 1, 2, 4 and 22. The mall is open daily 09:00-21:00. Nearby there is a theater and activity center which includes a pool hall, bowling alley and restaurants.

The vast majority of places charges service for a fixed amount per person (called coperto), as is custom 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 07:30 - 22:00 for dinner.

• Pasta e Birra Take It Easy, Piazza Ferretto 10 rosso (Close to Magistrato Di Misericordia Church and the Genova Cathedral. Great, fresh pasta on a budget - less than €5 for a pasta and drink. Try the regional 'trofie with pesto sauce'. No reservation.
• Trattoria Da Maria, Vico Testadoro 14 (close to Piazza de Ferrari, +39 010 581080. Traditional regional cuisine and a practical and crowded atmosphere. Possible opening for lunch only, no reservation.
• Osteria La Lanterna, Via San Siro 12R (close to Via San Luca and Museo del Risorgimento, +39 010 2461608. This restaurant offers mainly fish dishes.
• Trattoria Sa Pesta, Via Giustiniani 16r (in the old town, +39 010 2468336. This restaurant offers traditional regional cuisine.

Pasta e Birra Take It Easy, Piazza Ferretto 10 rosso (Close to Magistrato Di Misericordia Church and the Genova Cathedral. Great, fresh pasta on a budget - less than €5 for a pasta and drink. Try the regional 'trofie with pesto sauce'. No reservation.

Trattoria Da Maria, Vico Testadoro 14 (close to Piazza de Ferrari, +39 010 581080. Traditional regional cuisine and a practical and crowded atmosphere. Possible opening for lunch only, no reservation.

Osteria La Lanterna, Via San Siro 12R (close to Via San Luca and Museo del Risorgimento, +39 010 2461608. This restaurant offers mainly fish dishes.

Trattoria Sa Pesta, Via Giustiniani 16r (in the old town, +39 010 2468336. This restaurant offers traditional regional cuisine.

• Ombre Rosse, Vico Indoratori 20-22-24 r, +39 010 2757608, +39 347 4280698. Lunch, dinner. Quality Genovese food, like pansotti, vegetable cakes, baccala, lepre, brasato. €25.
• La Berlocca, via ai Macelli di Soziglia 45r, +39 010 4075555. Lunch, dinner. Fish & meat of great quality. Excellent choice of wines. €35.
• Sä Pesta, via dei Giustiniani 16r. Only the best of Genoese food. This antique restaurant has been serving port workers, and nobility alike for the past couple of centuries. Great for torte and farinata.

Ombre Rosse, Vico Indoratori 20-22-24 r, +39 010 2757608, +39 347 4280698. Lunch, dinner. Quality Genovese food, like pansotti, vegetable cakes, baccala, lepre, brasato. €25.

La Berlocca, via ai Macelli di Soziglia 45r, +39 010 4075555. Lunch, dinner. Fish & meat of great quality. Excellent choice of wines. €35.

Sä Pesta, via dei Giustiniani 16r. Only the best of Genoese food. This antique restaurant has been serving port workers, and nobility alike for the past couple of centuries. Great for torte and farinata.

• Ristorante Zeffirino. Allegedly one of Frank Sinatra's favourite restaurants (apparently he had them send him regular supplies of their pesto), Zeffirino is one of Genoa's gems. Hidden up a long flight of steps just off Via XX Settembre in the heart of Genoa, it can a little hard to find but well worth it. Stunning food, truly excellent service and a beautifully appointed dining room makes for a memorable lunch or dinner.

Ristorante Zeffirino. Allegedly one of Frank Sinatra's favourite restaurants (apparently he had them send him regular supplies of their pesto), Zeffirino is one of Genoa's gems. Hidden up a long flight of steps just off Via XX Settembre in the heart of Genoa, it can a little hard to find but well worth it. Stunning food, truly excellent service and a beautifully appointed dining room makes for a memorable lunch or dinner.

• Pesto sauce originates from the city of Genova. It is used in many dishes, including pastas and pizzas. You can always order from the huge variety of pastas and pizzas available here, but trying the one which is based on Pesto is a must to experience the traditional Genovese cuisine.
• Another must try from the Genovese or Ligurian cuisine is the focaccia, which essentially is a flat oven-baked Italian bread, which may be topped with onions, herbs, or other foodstuffs. They are quite tasty and often cheaper than pizzas. There are many 'Focaccerias' scattered throughout Genova and its surroundings. These are basically take away places, and easy on the wallet, too. In many of the focaccerias, you will find improvised varieties of focaccias, 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 to try the farinata, a thin crusty pie made with chick-peas flour, water, salt, and olive oil.

Pesto sauce originates from the city of Genova. It is used in many dishes, including pastas and pizzas. You can always order from the huge variety of pastas and pizzas available here, but trying the one which is based on Pesto is a must to experience the traditional Genovese cuisine.

Another must try from the Genovese or Ligurian cuisine is the focaccia, which essentially is a flat oven-baked Italian bread, which may be topped with onions, herbs, or other foodstuffs. They are quite tasty and often cheaper than pizzas. There are many 'Focaccerias' scattered throughout Genova and its surroundings. These are basically take away places, and easy on the wallet, too. In many of the focaccerias, you will find improvised varieties of focaccias, 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 to try the farinata, a thin crusty pie made with chick-peas flour, water, salt, and olive oil.

• Piazza delle Erbe: small square in the old town, with nice bars (5 min. walking from Piazza De Ferrari and Palazzo Ducale) open until 01:00. On Fridays and Saturdays it is crowded of young people.
• . Riviera hotel Pl

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.

Piazza delle Erbe: small square in the old town, with nice bars (5 min. walking from Piazza De Ferrari and Palazzo Ducale) open until 01:00. On Fridays and Saturdays it is crowded of young people.

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 touristic 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.

Muggings or violence towards tourists are practically unheard of, however deft pickpockets are not seldom. Be particularly careful in the via San Lorenzo/via San Bernardo/via San Donato area (which is a popular and very crowded nightlife zone for students and young people) and also on city buses.

When walking, you should not expect motorists (especially scooters and bikers) to be particularly disciplined. At unsignalized crosswalks, you might need to insist on your right of way by just starting to cross the road (with caution!), as Italian pedestrians normally do, rather than waiting for motorists to stop. If a car, van or truck has stopped to let you cross, be very careful and always assume there might be a scooter passing that vehicle at high speed without seeing you.

Virtually all beaches in Genoa and surroundings are made of cobbles, rocks and cliffs. The sea floor is normally very steep and you won't be able to touch the ground just some meters away from the shore, hence beware if your swimming skills are not good. When bathing, be extremely cautious as stones under water are mostly covered with vegetation and very slippery. Avoid bathing at all if the sea is not calm: waves that may seem innocent from the shore might be strong enough to turn getting out of the sea into a quite dangerous and scary undertaking, running the risk of being smashed into the shore or into a rock (that you perhaps don't see because it's under water). There is normally no lifeguard service on free public beaches.

It is not difficult to find someone who can help you with easy/touristic problems in English, Spanish or French, but the best is of course to speak a little bit of Italian.

• Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, Viaxx Settembre str. 34, 161121 Genova, +39 010 553 46 13.

Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, Viaxx Settembre str. 34, 161121 Genova, +39 010 553 46 13.

Genoa makes a good base to explore Cinque Terre, Rapallo, Portofino, Portovenere, La Spezia, or Chiavari. The French Riviera is not too far away, either.