Petrarch, in the 14th century, described Genoa as " superba ". Even today, when discovering this fascinating, proud and elegant city, one can only agree with the poet! The city known as "La Superb" seduces travelers with its incredible medieval city center, one of the largest in Europe, rich in historical monuments and palaces classified as UNESCO heritage sites, but also with its Mediterranean atmosphere. Here, the sea reigns supreme! The glorious past of the city is no longer in question: a hub of maritime trade, Genoa has seen the great explorers, such as Christopher Columbus, who have left their mark here. It is also a city in constant evolution, where the architectural prowess of Renzo Piano, a local boy, shapes the landscape while always keeping an unbreakable link with the sea.
A city rich in maritime history
From the outset, it is La Lanterna, the symbol of the city, which calls to mind the importance of the sea in Genoa's history. With its 77 m, it is the highest lighthouse in the Mediterranean and the second highest in Europe: its light is projected up to 57 km! A tower serving as a lighthouse already existed in the 12th century, but the structure that we admire today dates back to the 16th century. It is the ideal place to take the pulse of Genoa and start your stay. A tip: climb its 172 steps to reach the terrace from which the view of the sea is spectacular! This visit is a perfect introduction to the discovery of the Porto Antico. Redesigned by Renzo Piano in 1992, on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, the Porto Antico is the former port area and today it is one of the most lively places in Genoa! Like a huge square in the middle of the sea, the Porto Antico is the ideal place to have a drink or attend a cultural event; the Arena del Mare and the Piazza delle Feste offer a rich program of concerts and shows throughout the year. You can also take the time to stroll along the isola delle chiatte, the island of barges, to admire the Genoese skyline
The Porto Antico, in the heart of Genoa
The Porto Antico is home to several of the city's must-see attractions, including the famous aquarium, which houses approximately 12,000 animals of 600 different species from all over the world! The Cetacean Pavilion, also designed by Renzo Piano's studio, is the highlight of the aquarium visit, with its four open-air pools and a 15-meter glass tunnel from which to admire the dolphins. For an even more immersive experience, boat excursions also allow you to take to the sea and see the cetaceans in the open sea. The visit can then continue at the Biosfera, located at the exit of the aquarium and identifiable by its unique architecture. Nicknamed the bolla (the bubble), this glass and steel sphere delicately placed on the sea shelters the reconstruction of a small part of the tropical forest and testifies to the beauty but also the fragility of the latter. In total, the biosphere has 150 species of animals (piranhas, red ibises, turtles...) and plants (passiflora, tree ferns, banana trees...).
Not far from this biosphere, we can see a gigantic inverted spider. No panic! It is one of the other must-sees of Porto Antico: the famous Bigo! This architectural structure, recognizable among thousands, owes its name to the metal crane that was used to lift the goods on the cargo ships. The Bigo houses a rotating elevator that rises to a height of 40 meters, for one of the most beautiful views of Genoa and the sea! Along the way, a recording describes the view and the monuments that are revealed. Note that in addition to this panoramic elevator, the Bigo also has a more down-to-earth function: it supports the capital of the adjacent Piazza delle feste!
When the culture of the sea is on display
For a complete immersion in Genoa's maritime culture, a visit to the Galata Museo del Mare, the most important maritime museum in Europe, is a must. Located in the Porto Antico, this large five-story museum offers an immersive journey through six centuries of the city's history and its port, always through the spectrum of the sea. An important place is given to Christopher Columbus and his adventure to discover America. There is also a beautiful reconstruction of a 17th century galleon, an exhibition of maritime maps and several ancient navigation instruments. Not to be missed is the impressive military submarine Nazario Sauro, open to visitors for a dive into the life of submariners! A room of the museum on the third floor also offers a virtual and documented visit of this space, to learn more. In addition to these various elements of local maritime history, the highlight of the visit to the Galata Museo del Mare is undoubtedly the section dedicated to migration by sea. The MEM - Memoria e Migrazioni - recalls the history of the many Italians who left their country at the beginning of the 20th century for America, but also that of the migrants who arrive in Italy today by sea
A moving section that completes a visit to the MEI, the National Museum of Italian Emigration. Opened a few months ago, this new Genoese cultural center is located in the Commenda di San Giovanni di Pré, a building dating back to 1180 that was originally managed by the Hospitaller brothers and served as a hospital or a shelter for merchants, knights passing through, pilgrims... A symbolic place, therefore, dedicated today to Italian emigration. During the visit, you will discover the stories of the hundreds of thousands of people who left Italy between the 19th and 20th centuries to try their luck elsewhere (America, Africa, Asia, Australia...). The port of Genoa was then the exit door, the last contact with the peninsula. Original documents (letters, photographs, travel diaries...) and a multimedia tour make the visit even more interactive. A great way to discover this part of Italian history that is sometimes overlooked. In the city center, stroll along Via Garibaldi and take the opportunity to visit the Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi. A visit to these sumptuous palaces and incredible museums is worth the detour!
The sea, at the center of the Genoese panorama
Genoa is a cultural destination where history has a special place, but it also seduces by its unique setting that can be discovered by boat or on foot. From the Porto Antico, several cruises are planned to make the most of the surrounding landscape. It is possible to reach the Cinque Terre by sea, but also Portofino, one of the most famous villages of the Riviera
During these excursions, a stopover in San Fruttuoso, a charming village that can be reached by boat or by a hiking trail, is particularly recommended. This small village located on a cove has very few inhabitants. It is known for its Benedictine abbey, built between the 10th and 13th centuries, and for its Christ of the Abyss, a bronze statue 17 meters deep! It pays tribute to all those who perished at sea. When the water is clear, you can almost see it, diving sessions are also organized to get closer to it
If these charming cruises give a glimpse of the beauties of the Ligurian Riviera, beautiful walks are also possible in Genoa, to discover the surroundings. From east to west, there are several promenades overlooking the sea. The one that stretches for 2.5 km along Corso Italia and leads to the charming district of Boccadasse is the most popular among Genoese. What a surprise to discover this small fishermen's village almost in the city center! With its houses with pastel facades, its small pebble beach and its few moored boats, Boccadasse is the postcard of Genoa par excellence!
Along the promenade that leads to it, there are different beaches where you can take a dip, but also restaurants where you can taste the local specialties. It's hard to resist a dish of pasta with pesto or a tasty focaccia, the flagship dishes of Genoa's gastronomy! As a port city, Genoa also has a vast culinary tradition linked to the sea. In particular, you should try stoccafisso accomodato - stockfish cooked with tomatoes, potatoes and olives - or cappon magro, a tasty composition of fish and vegetables, served mainly on Christmas Eve, but which can be found all year round in the various establishments along the coast.
From the blue of the sea to the green of the parks... and pesto!
Strolling along Genoa's famous promenades allows you to see the extent of its coastline and the dreamy landscapes that surround it. The Anita Garibaldi Promenade, which leads to the picturesque Nervi district in the east of Genoa, is a real balcony on the Mediterranean
From the 17th to the 19th century, it was the preferred destination of the Genoese nobility who built splendid villas here, especially during the Belle Époque
The elegant Viale delle Palme and its Liberty style buildings remain from this period. If not for these impressive buildings, people also come to Nervi to enjoy its parks, which cover 92,000 square meters! This green setting is home to a hundred botanical species as well as modern and contemporary art museums. The walk along the paths leads to the Capolungo cliff, from which the view of the Golfo Paradiso and the promontory of Portofino is breathtaking! Back on the Anita Garibaldi promenade, you should take the time to admire the Torre Gropallo, or Torre del fieno (hay tower). It owes its nickname to the hay that was burned to produce a smoke that warned of coming danger. This 16th century tower was, in fact, part of the city's defensive system
Still along the coast, but this time to the west of Genoa, Pegli is also worth a visit. It can be reached by following a beautiful promenade from the city center or by boat from the Porto Antico. Pegli stands out for its impressive 19th century villas such as Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini and its park that extends over 8 hectares of hills. Voted the most beautiful public park in Italy in 2017, it offers an original tour that uses the codes of the theater. It is, in fact, divided into several stages: prologue, preamble, three acts with four scenes each, and the exodus to conclude. Spectacular! Here, the protagonists are lakes, waterfalls, rare flowers, water games and we take a lot of eyes! For a moment of relaxation, the walk can then continue to the beaches of Voltri, very popular with the Genoese, or even Vesima, where the studio of the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano is located
Between Pegli and Voltri, gourmets can stop at Pra', famous for its tasty and fragrant DOP basil. The western Genoese coast is the cradle of pesto, and the glorious title of "pesto capital" is often given to this small fishing village! Pra' is also a sports town: rowing is practiced in the canal and various water polo competitions take place throughout the year
"The Ocean Race", the grand finale in Genoa
Genoa is a city of choice for water sports of all kinds. It is also considered one of the world's sailing capitals. As such, it will host for nine days, from June 24 to July 2, 2023, the festivities of the grand finale of the Ocean Race, a crewed sailing race considered one of the most demanding in the world!
On the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary, The Ocean Race has chosen Italy as its final stop for the first time, and it is in Genoa that the competitors will meet after a six-month race. This unique competition brings together some of the best skippers from around the world who challenge the oceans in a major sporting event. The arrival in Genoa promises to be spectacular! For the occasion, the city has pulled out all the stops and will transform its brand new Levante Waterfront into an Ocean Live Park. This free entry village will offer numerous activities on the theme of the sea, sailing and sustainable development. The 14th edition of The Ocean Race will start in Alicante, Spain, on January 15, 2023. The route will then be divided into eight stages that will pass through Cape Verde, Cape Town in South Africa, Itajaí in Brazil, Newport in the United States, Aarhus in Denmark, Kiel in Germany and The Hague in the Netherlands. An itinerary across the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans that will cross the three great southern capes: Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn
The city of Genoa will be present at all these stages, with a rich program of events. A great opportunity to spread the Genoese culture and gastronomy around the world! The arrival of the boats in the Ligurian capital is scheduled for June 25, 2023. An important and symbolic event for Genoa, whose history and daily life have always been linked to the sea! See you in the summer of 2023!
FUTURE INFO
When is the event?
Genoa is pleasant all year round. The high season is from April to October, with a peak in August when the city, victim of its success, is very busy. If possible, choose June, early July and September for the summer period. In 2023, sailing enthusiasts will visit the city from June 24 to July 2 to attend the grand finale of The Ocean Race
Duration
A three-day stay will give you a good overview of Genoa and its highlights. To enjoy the beaches and the beautiful villages of the Ligurian Riviera, five or six days will not be too much!
Budget
In Genoa, a large part of your budget will be spent on accommodation. Some visits are also quite expensive, such as the aquarium with a ticket starting at 22 €. However, you can eat well and at a very affordable price by finding the right places!
Public
With its diversified tourist offer (museums, seaside walks, ancient and modern architecture, gastronomy...), Genoa appeals to a large public
The pluses
The medieval city center and its maze of caruggi (narrow streets typical of Liguria), where it is good to get lost
The Porto Antico and its modern architecture signed by Renzo Piano, from the aquarium to the Bigo.
The charming district of Boccadasse, a fishermen's village just a stone's throw from the city center!
The gastronomy, from focaccia to pesto, and of course all the seafood cooked to perfection!
The minuses
The tourist influx on the Ligurian coast in very high season, especially in August
Getting there
By plane, Cristoforo Colombo airport is connected to downtown Genoa by public transport. Several airlines provide connections from Paris
By train, from Paris or Lyon, there are connections to Milan. From there, it is possible to take a train to Genoa station (between 1.5 and 2 hours of travel)
Regional railroads are particularly well developed in Italy, and ticket prices are affordable. Do not hesitate to consult the website of the national company (Trenitalia) to get around Liguria
By boat, Genoa is a port city, so it is connected to the main Mediterranean ports.
By car, Genoa is served by four Italian highways
Useful
The website of the city of Genoa, www.visitgenoa.it/fr is a mine of information. You will find a complete agenda of organized events, as well as detailed information about the various points of interest in the city.
Sleep
There is a wide range of accommodation available (hotels, youth hostels, B&Bs, apartment rentals, etc.). Note, however, that in high season, prices can be high.
