City · Italy · Liguria
Genoa
A rugged port city with a vast aquarium, grand palaces and one of Europe's largest medieval centres.
For storytellers
Why Genoa matters
Genoa is a city of narrow alleys, steep staircases and grand palaces built by merchant families who once ruled the seas. The old centre is a dense maze that opens up onto splendid streets lined with palazzi, and the harbour has been transformed with an aquarium and waterfront. It is also the home of pesto and focaccia. Fewer tourists come here than to the Italian Riviera towns around it, so it still feels like a working, authentic Italian city.
Talking points
- Pesto alla genovese was born here and is best with trofie pasta.
- The medieval centre is one of the largest in Europe, packed with alleys called caruggi.
- Focaccia, farinata and other bakery snacks are Ligurian specialities.
- Genoa was the home port of Christopher Columbus.
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What to see in Genoa
Historic site · UNESCO
Via Garibaldi and the Palazzi dei Rolli
Genoa, Italy
Genoa's grand street of Renaissance and baroque palaces.
Neighbourhood
Boccadasse
Genoa, Italy
A tiny fishing hamlet within the city, with colourful houses and a pebble beach.
Church, mosque or temple
Genoa Cathedral
Genoa, Italy
A striped black and white cathedral in the old town.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.