Things to Do in Genoa
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Genoa, Italy, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Genoa. Columbus was born here, try to look suitably impressed, a properly significant maritime power in its day, and the labyrinth of medieval alleys behind its grand harbour still hasn't fully let go of that history. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Genoa: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are genuinely rewarding lost in. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Christopher Columbus's Birthplace
Genoa was the birthplace of explorer Christopher Columbus, credited with reaching the Americas in 1492, some historical debate about the details, but Genoa claims him proudly regardless, and the modest house believed to be his childhood home, preserved near the old city walls, rewards a quick visit for anyone interested in the historical figure.
It's a small, focused stop, combine with a wander through the nearby Porta Soprana, a medieval gate that would have stood during Columbus's childhood.
Hours Check current opening days and times
Address Vico Dritto Ponticello, Genoa
The Caruggi (Old Town Alleys)
Genoa's old town, one of the largest medieval centres in Europe, is known for narrow alleys called caruggi, so narrow in places sunlight barely reaches the ground, excellent for staying cool, an atmospheric, maze-like network that rewards wandering without a fixed plan.
It's easy to get lost in, deliberately part of the appeal, though keep valuables secure in the busier, more crowded stretches, standard city-centre caution applies here as it would anywhere.
Best time Any time; useful shade on hot days
Address Genoa's historic centre
Genoa's Pesto
Genoa gives its name to pesto, the popular pungent green sauce made from basil, pine nuts, and olive oil, never once been offered a taste, a pattern that's starting to emerge with these food cities, though I remain professionally optimistic about future visits. The genuine article, made with Genovese basil (a specific, protected variety) and traditionally ground with a mortar and pestle, tastes noticeably different from the jarred versions found abroad.
Trattorias across the old town serve it properly, seek out somewhere that makes it fresh rather than from a jar, the difference is noticeably significant.
Best time Lunch or dinner
The Old Harbour (Porto Antico)
Genoa's historic harbour, redeveloped in recent decades by architect Renzo Piano (himself Genoese), now combines the old port's genuine maritime history with a modern aquarium (one of the largest in Europe), a biosphere, and waterfront restaurants and walkways.
It's a good, full afternoon out, the aquarium alone rewards a couple of hours, and the wider harbour redevelopment shows how a properly old working port has been thoughtfully adapted for modern use.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–7.30pm, hours vary seasonally
Address Porto Antico, Genoa
Via Garibaldi & the Palazzi dei Rolli
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Via Garibaldi is lined with grand Renaissance and Baroque palaces built by Genoa's wealthy merchant families during the city's height as a maritime power, several now open as museums (the Palazzi dei Rolli), a striking concentration of aristocratic architecture reflecting just how wealthy Genoa once was.
Allow a couple of hours to see at least one or two of the palace interiors, the frescoed ceilings and grand halls properly convey the scale of historic Genoese wealth.
Address Via Garibaldi, Genoa
Spianata Castelletto
A public terrace reached by a historic funicular, offering properly sweeping views over the old town's rooftops and out toward the harbour, a good, easy way to get oriented and appreciate the city's layout from above.
It's free once you've paid the modest funicular fare, combine with a coffee at one of the terrace cafes while taking in the view.
Best time Late afternoon into sunset
Getting there Funicular from Piazza Portello
Best time to visit Genoa
April through June and September through October give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking through the caruggi this list involves, mild without summer's peak heat.
Genoa's aquarium and museums work well year-round, visit even in cooler months if the caruggi's narrow, shaded streets don't hold the same appeal without summer heat to escape.
Getting around Genoa
Genoa's old town is widely walkable, though the caruggi's narrow, maze-like layout takes some getting used to. The funicular and a small metro line cover the hillier parts of the city and longer distances.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Genoa worth visiting?
- Yes, particularly for the caruggi old town and the Porto Antico's blend of historic and modern harbour redevelopment, genuinely underrated compared to Italy's more famous coastal cities.
- How many days do you need in Genoa?
- Two days covers the old town, the harbour aquarium, and Via Garibaldi's palaces comfortably.
- Is Genoa expensive?
- No, widely affordable, generally cheaper than Milan or Florence for dining and accommodation.
- What is Genoa famous for?
- Being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, its labyrinthine caruggi medieval alleys, and giving its name to pesto sauce.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change. UK travellers can check the FCDO foreign travel advice; if you're travelling from elsewhere, check the equivalent service run by your own country's government.
