Photo: ValeDeNe / Teatroge · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Genoa
A great old port, palaces and the home of pesto.
A big, gritty, beautiful port city with Europe's largest medieval old town, a street of Renaissance palaces and the best focaccia and pesto in Italy. A good base for the Riviera and Portofino.
Places to see
- Piazza De FerrariSight · Genoa's main square, with a wide bronze fountain in the middle and the Doge's Palace, the…Free
Genoa CathedralChurch · A striped black-and-white Gothic front with stone lions on the steps; inside, a British…Free
Via GaribaldiWalk · A single straight street lined with grand Renaissance palaces of Genoa's richest…Free
When to go
- Jan12° / 6°Some rainQuiet
- Feb13° / 6°Some rainQuiet
- Mar15° / 8°Some rainQuiet
- Apr18° / 11°Some rainBusy
- May21° / 14°Some rainBusy
- Jun25° / 18°Some rainBusy
- Jul28° / 21°Mostly dryBusy
- Aug28° / 21°Some rainBusy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
De Ferrari and Via XX Settembre. Genoa's grand square, the Doge's Palace and the shopping street.
The caruggi (old town). One of Europe's largest medieval centres: narrow lanes, bakeries and bars; some lanes are rough late at night.
Prè and Via Balbi. Near Principe station: the Royal Palace, university and budget rooms; edgy at night.
Flying in
Genoa (GOA): Volabus to Principe and Brignole stations, about 30 min, ≈ A$18.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Genoa; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$4. The old town is a maze best walked. Metro, buses, the funiculars and the public lifts up the hills share one ticket, about €2.20 for 110 minutes (check).
Tourist tax
Genoa's city tax: usually about €1.50–2.50 a person a night in hostels and B&Bs, more in hotels, for the first nights; under-14s don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
