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Itinerary & Turin Day trip to Genoa Questions

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My flights and accommodations are booked for a return to Italy end of September/1st week in October this year. TG I booked my flights in January '26 using my TA flight credit. Total was $748, only $10 more than when I booked for my planned 2025 trip. I checked the same flight/seat selections this morning and it's now $1316. Ouch!

  • Venice 3 nights -(day trip to Padua)
  • Verona 2 nights
  • Turin 4 nights - (originally planned a day trip to Sacra di San Michele but have now omitted it due to time/hassle getting there and back. Now seriously considering Genoa instead.)
  • Florence - 3 nights (day trip to Siena)
  • Bologna - 4 nights (day trip to Ravenna)

My itinerary is pretty solid, my choice of city bases and all day trips except from Turin are set. I feel it’s an interesting mix. Some will notice I’ve left out the lakes, mountains, and coast. That was intentional. I spent 16 days in Switzerland several years ago and it was amazing, one of the best trips I’ve ever taken, but I’m not looking for that type of experience in Italy. And as someone who was once a beach lover and spent every vacation at a new beach destination, the coast does not appeal to me as it once did.

I keep looking at other options as a day trip from Turin, but I find myself drawn to Genoa. I would not consider myself a foodie, though I do enjoy food. No wine interest at all. I love unique architecture, beautiful churches, history, incl. maritime history, and what some would label as grittiness I often find interesting, it gives character. The cemetery in Genoa would be a huge interest to me, but I know I’d want to spend some time there. There are other things I want to see as well. I loved Naples, but have been told Genoa is different.

I recently watched several Youtube videos warning that both Turin and Genoa were Italian cities to avoid, clearly focusing on the seedier areas of both, excluding what makes each unique and worth visiting. Clearly, I am not letting those videos change my Turin plans, and they didn't make me put a big X on Genoa either.

I would welcome honest input from those who have spent time in Genoa, whether only a day trip or longer...both the good and the bad. I know Genoa isn't for everyone, and I don't know if it's for me, but I am willing to give it a chance.

I'd also welcome other suggestions if you've got some.

Thanks so much!

Posted by
541 posts

No help for you on Genoa, but on my 2017 trip to Italy, while I wouldn’t trade the time we spent in Cogne or in the Piemonte wine regions for anything, I wish we’d spent another day or so in Turin. The Sabauda Galley and the whole palatial complex was amazing, and I wish I’d had more time to see it.

Street we stayed on in a B&B that no longer exists, was maybe a bit seedy, but not dangerous and more workaday and college student populated.

Posted by
953 posts

We spent a week in Turin in October 2024 and it was fabulous. A week was also not enough time for all we hoped to see. I am rather shocked by the focus of the YouTube videos you mention. We loved the city and enjoyed that it was not packed with tourists. Nothing there made us feel uncomfortable or make us think it was seedy.

Posted by
776 posts

We recently day-tripped in to Genoa from Camogli. We had originally planned to stay overnight, but due to some train troubles we had to give that up. I have to say it was not my favourite. I think there is a lot to see, and we could probably have done a much better job planning it, but to just arrive and have a wander around was a mistake. In addition, it was a Sunday and the amount of places closed was high. We had trouble at one point even finding a place for lunch.

There is some very beautiful architecture, but it is gritty. I don't usually mind " gritty"; I liked both Naples and Palermo, but somehow Genoa was different. Again, this may be because we daytripped in, instead of spending our usual few nights in a place. we just missed the charm perhaps.

If you are still keen, I suggest planning your time carefully before you go.

Posted by
26 posts

It's a shame that you've decided not to visit the Sacra di San Michele. The best way to get to it by public transport and then on foot is to take the train from Torino Porta Nuova station to Sant'Ambrogio di Torino—a journey that takes about half an hour. From the station, walk about 600 yards to the church of San Giovanni Vincenzo, from where the Via Crucis ('Way of the Cross') path commences. The path—along which there are 15 stations of the cross—has an even, well-tended surface. It's less than 2 miles from start to finish, but as you would imagine, it's all uphill. If you dislike walking, or have mobility issues, it could be a challenge. Otherwise it could be fun, and memory-making. The Sacra di San Michele is open all day, every day, but I would avoid going on a Sunday—its busiest day.

Trains from Torino Porta Nuova station to Genoa take around 2 hours, but there are some fast services that take around an hour and 40 minutes. If you like maritime history, the Galata Maritime Museum is highly recommended.
https://en.galatamuseodelmare.it/museo/galata/
The museum is a short walk—about 600 yards—from Genova Piazza Principe station (the first stop in Genoa arriving from Turin).
Despite not being a foodie, if you do decide to take a day trip to Genoa, you must try some Ligurian specialities, such as 'focaccia col formaggio' and 'trofie al pesto'.

Posted by
6819 posts

Rather than a day trip that would be backtracking, I would look into stopping in Genoa en route from Turin to Florence.

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