I am a solo senior traveller looking for suggestions of what to see and do in Genoa - I am there at the end of my Italy self-planned itinerary on 10/18 for about 48 hours. I am stopping in Genoa on my way from Monterosso to Milan before flying home to Canada via Gatwick. RS resources are not much help, so I am hoping some fellow travellers have some ideas for TTD in Genoa. (BTW this forum is fascinating and helpful reading.) Cheers and thanks.
Posted by
483 posts
We were there in July on a cruise stop. We enjoyed a little train tour and does a great job going around the city explaining various sites. Very informative and we enjoyed Genoa more than we thought we would. We enjoyed their famous salami and their pesto!
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
386 posts
I was in Genoa for about 24 hours over a decade ago. Walking around was very interesting with few tourists. Le Strade Nuove is is a Unesco World Heritage area of the central city with grand (or grandiose) Renaissance and Baroque palaces. There is also an extensive medieval historic center with a maze of very narrow winding streets and alleys. There are some major works of art (Rubens for one) in churches. There is plenty to see for a day or two.
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1454 posts
In early October, 2022, we greatly enjoyed a food tour in Genoa with Enrica --- she was fantastic: https://www.asmallkitcheningenoa.com/food-experiences/genoa-food-tour/
Enrica also arranged a tour of some large basil-growing greenhouses in the hills above Genoa --- you'd need to take a taxi up there. https://www.serresulmare.com/en/
I would go to Genoa again (for the third time) just to eat. My favorite place in 2018 was Sa Pesta, street food but also savory pies and other local food. There is indoor seating. Serves farinata, which you can watch being made. I think we ordered two different assortments, plus some pesto pasta. Some of the Italian Tripadvisor reviews of it are hilarious, such as complaints that it costs too much for street food and the service is too fast or there's no highchair for babies. But it was one of the most memorable lunches we've had in Italy. If you are interested, I can look up the names of other restaurants from that trip. I remember liking Osteria La Laterna, Ristorante Prie Rosse, and Da Leccarsi i Baffi.
If you like churches, as I do, there is the stripey Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, decorated with colored marble and guarded by stone lions. San Matteo is a pretty little striped church. Also 11th century San Donato.
Posted by
21 posts
the coast is really nice - Albaro and Boccadasse are good places to walk along the shore. lots of places to eat. I would go back.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2216 posts
Genoa has an outstanding aquarium which could easily fill up a whole day!
Posted by
Boston
1742 posts
Here's a recent local article in Italian with recommended authentic Genoa restaurants. https://www.ilgiornaledelcibo.it/trattorie-genovesi/?fbclid=IwAR13PVLZ8t_yar-mgLYcFKfCuLfwE8vt9wgS-I7z72kwLwBuZu_LtJLvlRE
The Museum of the Sea is a unique attraction. There are also the Museums of Strada Nuova. They are located in several of the palaces used in the Palazzi dei Rolli system of the 16th and 17th centuries and are UNESCO heritage sites: https://www.museidigenova.it/en/strada-nuova-museums
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1454 posts
Hooray, "my" Sa Pesta is in the article Mike posted! Pretty sure we went to and enjoyed Ugo, too.