Genoa in Oct

"Bus and train info"
www.trenitalia.com and then google "Genova Public Transport" or such. They should have and English language option.

Hi tdd,

A few years ago we were in Genoa for the last 2 weeks of October. The weather was pleasant and mostly sunny, but I don't remember going out without taking a light jacket or sweater. Mornings were cool and afternoons mild. We did have one day of rain; in fact were caught in a torrential downpour like I've never seen.

Genoa is not a "tourist" city but you can still enjoy it. Are you going for vacation or business? How long will you be there?

There are areas you want to avoid. This would be mainly in the port area and mainly at night. Otherwise Genoa is as safe as anywhere else.

There are 2 train stations in Genoa, a main one and a smaller one. We did take a couple of buses but since we speak Italian we would just ask locals which ones to take, so I'm afraid I'm not much help to you there.

As far as things to do I suggest you go to Piazza Ferrari and from there walk into the old center, Cannetto Lungo, which are the characteristic narrow dark streets of Old Genoa. Or take a leisurely walk down the promenade on Corso Italia ending in Boccadase, which is a colorful old cove area that has some seafood restaurants and a really good gelato place. There are some good art museums in Genoa but they are not filled with "famous" paintings. There is an aquarium which they are very proud of. We are familiar with good aquariums so to us it was just an aquarium. Wherever you do I recommend eating two things while in Genoa: fresh focaccia from a bakery, and pasta with pesto.

Enjoy your trip!

For Genoa, as well as other destinations in Italy and Europe, you'll have nothing to worry about as long as you use common sense, AND keep your passport, credit card, ATM card and large amounts of cash in a moneybelt worn under your clothes. Pickpocketing is common in cities and crowded areas.

October is likely to be pleasant, averages in the 60's in the daytime, and 50's at night. Locals would not wear shorts in the city at any time of the year, unless they are participating in sports.

Thanks everyone

Just thought of something. There is an International Boat Show held in Genoa every year in early October and the locals say there is gridlock in the city. I suggest not going at the time of the Boat Show (unless of course you are going there for that!)

INFO ABOUT GENOA (In Italian, but to give you an idea of the top 10):
http://www.10cose.it/genova/cosa-vedere-genova.html

WEATHER IN OCTOBER
Generally mild with possibility of rain especially the second half. Warm during the middle of the day and afternoons. Cooler nights and early mornings. Although it might be warm enough for shorts during the middle of the day, however it's not a time when locals would ever dream of wearing shorts.

CRIME
Violent crime virtually non existent. Petty theft possible but not a major concern in Genoa. Just use normal precautions like you would do anywhere else.

BUS AND TRAIN INFO
Bus and Metro:
http://www.amt.genova.it/
Trains:
www.trenitalia.com

Be prepared to carry your luggage up and down stairs. I changed trains a month or so ago at Genova Piazza Principe station - the main station - and none of the lifts (elevators) were working.

They have added a lot of new bits of the station but they then closed off the old lifts, and there are new lift shafts to the platforms from the new tunnels but the only thing in the shafts is painted plywood. So despite the new signs it is schlep it up and down time.

Maybe by October the plywood will be transformed - but it actually looked like they got everything done they were going to do and will do no more.

BTW - there is very limited food and drink in Genova PP.

Thanks again everyone
We will be attending Italian language school so hopefully we'll be able to communicate with the locals a little bit.