Nestled on the picturesque Ligurian coast of Italy, Genoa is a historic port city known for its rich maritime heritage and stunning architecture. With a population of around 580,000, Genoa is Italy’s sixth-largest city and the capital of the Liguria region. Visitors can explore its charming old town, indulge in delicious seafood cuisine, and marvel at the impressive with its Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether wandering through its lively Via Garibaldi or gazing out at the sparkling Mediterranean Sea from the Porto Antico, Genoa offers a unique blend of history and culture.
Top 10 Highlights of Genoa
Largest aquarium in Italy
Genoa, Liguria
Located in the Porto Antico area, the aquarium is a must-see in Genoa. With over 12,000 animals across 600 species, the aquarium showcases a spectacular array of marine life. You can marvel at sharks, turtles, penguins, and rare species like manatees in habitats that closely resemble their natural homes.
UNESCO Treasures in Genoa's Streets
Genoa, Liguria
When visiting Genoa, be sure to explore the Strade Nuove and their Palazzi dei Rolli. These stunning Renaissance and Baroque palaces, once homes for nobles and state guests, showcase the immense wealth and power of the Genoese aristocracy.
Genoa, Liguria
Piazza De Ferrari is the main square of Genoa. Situated in the heart of the city between the historical and the modern center, Piazza De Ferrari is renowned for its fountain, which was restored in recent years along with a major restyling of the square.
Today next to Piazza De Ferrari are numerous office buildings, headquarters of banks, insurances and other private companies, making of this district the financial and business centre of Genoa, so that the Genoese popularly refer to it as the City of Genoa. At the end of the 19th century Genoa was the main financial centre of Italy along with Milan, and Piazza De Ferrari was the place where many institutions were established, like the stock exchange, the Credito Italiano, the branch offices of the Bank of Italy, founded in 1893.
Genoa, Liguria
Genoa Cathedral or Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Lawrence is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the Italian city of Genoa. It is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, and is the seat of the Archbishop of Genoa. The cathedral was consecrated by Pope Gelasius II in 1118 and was built between the twelfth century and the fourteenth century as fundamentally a medieval building, with some later additions. Secondary naves and side covers are of Romanesque style and the main facade is Gothic from the early thirteenth century, while capitals and columns with interior corridors date from the early fourteenth century. The bell tower and dome were built in the sixteenth century.
Genoa, Liguria
The Doge's Palace is a historical building in Genoa, northern Italy.
Once the home of the Doges of Genoa, it is now a museum and a centre for cultural events and arts exhibitions. It is situated in the heart of the city, with two different entrances and façades, the main one on Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, and the second one on Piazza De Ferrari.
Genoa, Liguria
The Galata - Museo del mare is a maritime museum in the Italian city of Genoa. It is the largest museum of its kind in the Mediterranean area and also one of the most modern in Italy. The museum is located on the grounds of the Porto Antico, in the Palazzo Galata in the Darsena district, where galleys were built in the Republic of Genoa era. It is close to downtown Genoa, the Port of Genoa, and within walking distance of Genova Principe train station and Darsena metro stop. It opened in 2004 as part of Genoa's 2004 European Capital of Culture celebration.
Genoa, Liguria
The Teatro Carlo Felice is the principal opera house of Genoa, Italy, used for performances of opera, ballet, orchestral music, and recitals. It is located on the side of Piazza De Ferrari.
Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato
Genoa, Liguria
The Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato is the Catholic cathedral of Genoa, northern Italy; its decoration employed the major baroque studios and artists in Genoa in the 17th century.
It is named Vastato because the area where it was built was outside the walls of the city, in an area where houses had been demolished for defensive reasons. In Latin, vastinium referred to a safety belt within the protective bastions.
Genoa, Liguria
The Palazzo Reale or Palazzo Stefano Balbi is a major palace in Genoa.
Genoa, Liguria
D'Albertis Castle is a historical residence in Genoa, north-western Italy. It was the home of sea captain Enrico Alberto d'Albertis and was donated to the city of Genoa on his death in 1932. It currently houses the Museo delle Culture del Mondo, inaugurated in 2004.
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Travel Info
Best time to visit
The ideal time for a more relaxed experience is during the late spring (May and June) or early fall (September and October) when the weather is pleasantly warm, and the city is less crowded. The summer months, while warmer and great for excursions to the beach, can be quite crowded with tourists.
How to get to Genoa
By Plane
The nearest airport is Genoa's Cristoforo Colombo Airport and offers flights from major European cities including Rome, London, Munich, Paris, and Madrid. From the airport, taking the Volabus shuttle bus or a taxi into the city is straightforward. If no connections are available from your home, consider flying to Milan.
By Train
Genoa's main train station, Genoa Piazza Principe, is well-connected with frequent services from major Italian cities as well as night trains from major European cities. From Milan, you can reach Genoa in under 2 hours with prices ranging from €11 to €25. If you're coming from the French border, the journey from Ventimiglia to Genoa takes around 2,5 hours. From Vienna, the night train takes 13 - 15 hours.
By Car
For those driving to Genoa, the city is easily accessible via the A7 motorway. It connects Genoa to Milan to the north and to the Italian Riviera to the south. If driving from the French Riviera, take the A10 highway to Genoa, a journey of around 160km from the French border. Coming from Tuscany, the A12 highway leads directly to Genoa.
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History
Genoa's rich history dates back to ancient times. Founded by the Ligures, an ancient Celtic people, it later became a maritime powerhouse. In ancient times, it prospered from trade with the Etruscans and Greeks, flourishing as a Roman municipium. The city faced tumult following the fall of the Roman Empire, enduring invasions by Ostrogoths and Lombards, and sinking into obscurity as a fishing and agrarian center. However, by the 10th century, Genoa's strategic revival began, catalyzed by the economic upswing of Europe. This resurgence saw the city counter Muslim raids, rebuild its walls, and expand its maritime commerce.
By the 11th century, Genoa had emerged as an independent city-state, its destiny intertwined with the sea. The city became a nexus for trade, shipbuilding, and banking, fostering a formidable navy that dominated the Mediterranean. This period of expansion was marked by the establishment of colonies across the Mediterranean, from the Middle East to Northern Africa, as Genoese merchants traded spices, textiles, and precious metals, further enriching the city's economy.
The internal political strife of the Middle Ages did little to hamper Genoa's progress. Genoa's golden era saw the construction of iconic buildings and the expansion of trade routes into the Black Sea, consolidating Genoa's position as a major commercial and naval power.
Genoa's historical city center reflects the city's glorious past. UNESCO recognized its significance in 2006, particularly highlighting the Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli. Today, Genoa remains a vital economic center within Italy, its port bustling with activity, testament to its enduring legacy as la Superba, "the proud one".
