Best Things To Do in Genoa

If you plan to visit Genoa, you will find yourself in one of the most beautiful destinations in Italy and also one of the most important sites of international maritime trade since time immemorial. Located on the shores of the Ligurian Sea, this city offers culture, art, unforgettable landscapes and some of the most outstanding museums in northern Italy.

Some of the best things to do in Genoa include visiting the lighthouse, strolling around the local port, visiting the Christopher Columbus House, visiting the Galata Sea Museum and discovering Boccadasse, the fishermen's quarter that stands out for its traditional spirit and timeless beauty. Here's everything you need to know to enjoy your trip to Italy's Liguria.

The Genoa Lighthouse, known locally as La Lanterna, is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world and an iconic symbol of the city. With a height of 76 meters, it is the tallest lighthouse in the Mediterranean and the second tallest in the world, fulfilling not only signaling tasks for ships, but also being an important observation post and strategic defense.

From the top of La Lanterna you can take in a panoramic view of Genoa and its industrial port, which is one of the largest in Italy. In addition, the lighthouse is surrounded by a park where you can take a stroll while discovering its monumental structure, which is more than nine centuries old.

By booking tickets for the lighthouse of Genoa you will also be able to access a museum dedicated to the maritime and port history of the city. This space, located on the second floor of the building, includes exhibits on the evolution of navigation, the development of the port and the crucial role that La Lanterna has played over the years to become a reference of the cultural heritage of this destination.

If you are a lover of marine life or plan to visit this destination with children, one of the best places to discover is the Genoa Aquarium, which is also one of the largest in Europe. Inaugurated in 1992 for the city's Expo, the aquarium is located in the Old Port and houses 12,000 animals of 600 different species. From sharks and dolphins to penguins and tropical fish, you will find an immersive experience in its tanks.

The aquarium tour, which includes the recreation of more than 70 ecosystems, offers interactive exhibits that allow you to get up close and personal with the animals. One of the most popular attractions is the dolphin tank, but you can also walk through the shark tunnel, which offers an unparalleled panoramic view. I encourage you to buy tickets for the Genoa Aquarium online so you don't have to waste time at the ticket office.

On the other hand, you can also feed some of the species that live there and learn about the importance of ocean conservation. This combination of natural beauty and education is what has established the Genoa Aquarium as one of the main tourist attractions in the city, attracting thousands of people every year.

The port of Genoa is one of the largest and oldest in the Mediterranean and has been a key point for European maritime trade since the Middle Ages, so taking a stroll through this site will allow you to discover the historical epicenter of this destination. From the deck of the boats, you will also be able to have incredible views of the cityscape and the Ligurian Sea surrounding the Genoese port.

By booking a boat tour of the port of Genoa you will have the opportunity to distinguish La Lanterna, the lighthouse I told you about that has shaped the city for centuries and remains one of its most recognizable symbols, as well as the ancient port walls, the cranes and the industrial areas that are still in operation. This contrast between the traditional and modern infrastructure is one of the most interesting aspects of the tour.

However, what makes this activity so popular is the combination of history and nature it offers. Along the tour, you can enjoy the calm waters of the Mediterranean while learning details about Genoa's maritime past and its historical evolution. It is also a good opportunity to take panoramic photographs with the Apennine Mountains as a backdrop.

The House of Christopher Columbus will allow you to learn about the origins of the explorer who changed the course of world history. Although the current house is an 18th century reconstruction, it stands on the site where the original Columbus family home is believed to have stood, near the Porta Soprana, one of the ancient medieval gates that is also one of the city's main historical attractions.

The house serves as a museum dedicated to the life and voyages of Christopher Columbus. There you can tour exhibits that highlight Columbus' childhood and youth in Genoa, as well as details of his famous expeditions to the New World under the patronage of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. Through informative panels, documents and replicas, the museum offers an overview of medieval Genoa and the explorer's life and career.

Among the exhibits on view at the museum are reproductions of maps and charts that Columbus used during his transatlantic voyages, as well as illustrations and documents that tell the story of his four expeditions to America. Although the collection is modest, its value lies in its connection to Columbus' legacy and its ability to immerse the visitor in the era in which he lived.

When booking tickets to the Christopher Columbus House museum you will also find materials on the influence that Genoa, as a maritime power, had on the young conquistador's upbringing.

Marking kilometer zero of the city, the Cathedral of Genoa is one of the most relevant and ancient religious buildings in Italy. Built in a fascinating mix of architectural styles, ranging from Romanesque to Gothic, the cathedral has witnessed the evolution of Genoa and its black and white marble facade has become an unmistakable symbol of this destination.

Inside the cathedral you can admire a collection of art and different historical elements. The frescoes, sculptures and side chapels decorated with marble stand out for their beauty and artistic value. One of the most important treasures inside is the Sacro Catino, an ancient glass vessel that, according to legend, was used at the Last Supper.

In addition, another of the cathedral's chapels houses a highly venerated relic: the ashes of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of Genoa.

Please note that, due to its strategic location in the city center, you can visit this site on your own, by public transport or by including a stop in the itinerary you plan, if you decide to book the private tour of Genoa, an experience in which you can choose which sites to visit.

If you want to visit one of the most important maritime museums in Europe, you can't miss the Galata Sea Museum in Genoa, which offers a complete overview of the naval and maritime history of the city. Housed in a historic building that was once an arsenal, this museum tells the story of Genoa as a maritime power and its relationship with the sea over the centuries.

Among the museum's historical artifacts you'll find model ships, charts, nautical instruments and weapons that reflect the beginnings of naval history. One of the highlights is the life-size replica of a 17th century Genoese galley, where you can walk the deck and experience up close what life was like aboard these ships in ancient times.

When you buy tickets to the Galata Museum of the Sea, you won't be limited to seeing ancient artifacts, as it also addresses contemporary issues such as migration. The MEM exhibition offers an interactive experience where you can embark on a symbolic journey, reliving the crossings that thousands of Italians made to America in search of a better life.

This part of the museum is particularly moving, highlighting the harsh reality of migration and the importance of the sea as a means of escape. You will also find a section dedicated to Christopher Columbus, in a journey that shows his connection to Genoa and his legacy as an explorer.

Via Garibaldi is one of Genoa's most iconic streets and is known for its architecture and history. This artery was built in the 16th century as an exclusive avenue for local aristocratic families, so strolling along this site you can immerse yourself in an open-air museum, surrounded by Renaissance and Baroque palaces that show the splendor of ancient Genoa.

One of the main attractions of Via Garibaldi are the Palazzi dei Rolli, a set of colorful palaces that were once the residence of the most influential families in the city. Some of the most outstanding are Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi, which currently house art museums where you can admire works by Van Dyck, Veronese and Rubens, as well as collections of decorative art.

These palaces not only stand out for their collections, but also for their courtyards and interior gardens, which offer a quiet respite amidst the bustle of the city and where you can find cafes and ice cream parlors, ideal to escape the heat if you plan to visit this site in summer. You can also include this street inside if you decide to book a private tour of Genoa.

Via Garibaldi is definitely a must for those who want to get to know the more refined and cultural side of Genoa. Along this street you can admire the opulence of the Genoese nobility and discover how the city's wealth from its thriving maritime trade was reflected in its architecture. Nearby you will also find the Aquarium and the Galata Sea Museum.

Boccadasse is a picturesque fishing district located on the coast of Genoa that offers visitors a perfect getaway. This small and colorful district, with its pastel-hued houses clustered around a small bay, stands out for its narrow cobblestone streets where it is easy to surrender to the calm and relaxed atmosphere that characterizes this Genoese corner.

The name of the district in Spanish means "mouth of an ass" and comes from the peculiar shape of the surrounding bay, reminiscent of the mouth of this animal. From this district you can enjoy panoramic views of the Ligurian Sea and there you will find the small pebble beach, which is a meeting point for locals.

One of the highlights of Boccadasse is the viewpoint at the end of the promenade, from where you can get panoramic views of the coast. At sunset, this place becomes one of the most romantic in the city, with the warm colors of the sky reflecting in the waters of the Mediterranean. You can get there on foot or by booking Genoa's hop-on-hop-off tourist bus.

Within Boccadasse you can also visit the Chiesa di Sant'Antonio, a church that overlooks the bay and adds a historical and cultural touch to the neighborhood. Nearby you can also explore Corso Italia, which is Genoa's most famous promenade and the Albaro neighborhood, known for its elegant villas and gardens.

The Royal Palace of Genoa is one of the most famous monumental buildings in the city. Built in the 17th century for the Balbi family, one of Italy's most influential dynasties, the palace passed into the hands of the Durazzo before becoming the property of the Savoy family, the Italian royal family, in the 19th century. Today, the palace is a state museum that preserves the splendor of its aristocratic past.

In this building you can tour the halls that belonged to the nobility and are decorated with frescoes, gilded stuccoes and original furniture that reflect the luxury in which the former owners lived. Among the most outstanding exhibits are the Throne Room, used by royalty during official visits, and the Hall of Mirrors, inspired by the famous Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

The Hall of Mirrors also offers a wide view of the palace gardens and the port. Throughout the visit you will be able to see the building's art collections, which include works by Tintoretto and Luca Giordano.

Porta Soprana is one of Genoa's iconic monuments and one of the few medieval gates still standing from the ancient city walls. Built as part of the local defensive system, the Porta Soprana marked the entrance to the city from the east with twin towers flanking the central arch.

In a perspective view of the gate, you will be able to distinguish its robust structure and architectural design typical of the Romanesque style. The strategically placed towers rise above the narrow medieval streets and offer a full view of the historic center of Genoa. From the top you can see a panoramic view of the rooftops and domes of the nearby churches, as well as the Ligurian harbor and sea.

Next to the Porta Soprana is another site of great historical significance: the House of Christopher Columbus, believed to have been the home of the renowned explorer during his youth and home to an exhibit worth visiting in Genoa and already recommended in the listing due to its historical importance.