Spend a fabulous day in Genoa with this simple itinerary
This guide covers all the attractions that you can visit comfortably in 24 hours. Since it is just a day, you will have to make choices and we all know that deciding what to see and what not can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you are visiting Genoa for the first time. This one day itinerary has been drafted to make it easy for you to spend less time on planning (what to see) and more on enjoying the experiences.
Hundreds and thousands of people include Genoa in their 7 or 14 day trip itineraries in Italy and the majority of them rent cars for the road trips. However, there is another great mode of transportation – train; Italy has a big train network, many people prefer to go from one city to another using trains. Genoa also has an amazing train station which thousands of people use to reach the fabulous city. It’s been seen that on reaching Genoa, many of these people rent cars for moving about the city. The fact that almost all big car hire agencies provide one day rental deals, it is really easy to book a car for 24 hours in Genoa that you can pick right from the train station.
01 Start your day at Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari
Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari is the main square of Genoa which makes it the perfect place to kick start your day at the very heart of Genoa. Click pictures with the huge bronze circular fountain that sits in the middle of Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari.
On the left and the right of the fountain there are a lot of things to see. There are an eclectic mix of buildings from various eras which are now being used as offices by companies. Then there is Palazzo Ducale, aka Doge’s Palace which is noted for its Venetian Gothic style; now-a-days it is mainly used for exhibitions and conferences. Another great place on Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari that you should visit is the popular opera house, Teatro Carlo Felice (aka Carlo Felice Theater); it is interesting to note that the place was destroyed in WWII and was rebuilt entirely later on.
02 Next visit Piazza della Vittoria Genoa followed by the shopping street
Piazza della Vittoria Genoa is just a small distance from the Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari. This city square is right next to Genova Brignole train station and its highlight is the marvellous triumphal arch which sits amidst all the green cover. The arch was constructed to pay respects to people of Genoa (Genoese) who fell during World War I.
The backdrop of the arch is also quite impressive – Caravel’s Staircase, a flower garden which consists of 3 sections or parts, each of which represents the three ships used by Christopher Columbus.
After Piazza della Vittoria Genoa, it is time to visit the most popular shopping street of the city – via XX Settembre. The shopping street is full of shops and cafes & you get to walk under Ponte Monumentale bridge that crosses the street in the middle. As you walk through the covered walkways of the street, you will come across some great wonderful ceilings and ‘black and white’ colors of ancient Genoa nobility. It is a great place to hunt for souvenirs and if you feel like, have an early lunch at one of the cafes before moving on to Cattedrale di San Lorenzo.
03 Make your way towards Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo or Genoa Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral which was added to the city between 11th and early 14th Century. Built in black and white marble, the cathedral has two lions on its entrance and has an impressive mix of Romanesque and Gothic (main facade) architecture.
The Cathedral was damaged during WWII bombings, but it is interesting to note that though the bomb broke the ceiling as it fell in, it never exploded. It is still located within the cathedral for everyone to see.
There is one other tale related to the cathedral; there is a small carving of a dog near the doors used to access the church. As per the legend, the used to be a small dog that used to wander the building when the Cathedral was being built and used to keep the sculptors company. During the last phase of work, the dog vanished, but the sculptors wanted to remember the dog, so they carved a small sculpture in the cathedral’s facade.
04 Spend the afternoon exploring the old town & its numerous streets and alleyways
If you haven’t had lunch at the shopping street, make sure you have something to eat before starting the tour of the old town.
The old city lies east of Porto Antico and is a magical place full of narrow streets and alleyways, which are dotted with historic shops and structures adorned with frescos & more.
In Genoa, Caruggi is the word which is used for narrow covered walkways and alleyways and you will be surprised to know that Genoa’s Old Town is home to hundreds of Caruggi. Ponte Reale and piazza Banchi ( where Loggia della Mercanzia is located) are some of the most popular Caruggi.
05 Next stop is Via Balbi and the Palazzo Reale
Visit Annunziata Church and on its right is an uphill street known as via Balbi – it is a really important street in the city where the offices of the University of Genoa are located.
Walk through the street, after 300 meters or so you will reach Santa Brigida which is home to one of the biggest local legends – about the Augustinian nuns from Sarzano.
According to the legend, a group of nuns came to Genoa to create a cloister dedicated to Santa Brigida. And the interesting fact is that the cloister was to cohabit with friars. However, the Pope thought the arrangement to be suspicious and the friars were removed from the land. The nuns sold the land and on its place via Balbi was built about two centuries later.
06 After Via Balbi – UNESCO’s World Heritage Site
Via Garibaldi has been UNESCO’s World Heritage site since 2006. It is one of the many important streets in the historic center of the city. This 250 meters long street, closed to the public, is flanked on both sides by elegant buildings which once belonged to the seigneury of Genoa.
The Municipality of Genoa organises Rolli Days in April, May and September, when all the UNESCO Heritage sites are open to the public. If you are visiting in these months, this is a great opportunity to look at marvelous buildings from the past.
07 End the evening with sunset views of the city from Spianata Castelletto
After exploring the marvels of the city of Genoa, it is time to enjoy the astounding views of the city from the top of Spianata Castelletto. It is a fabulous balcony suspended over the historic center of the city where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the city.
Reach piazza Portello, get on the elevator and when at the top enjoy the astounding views of the Old Town, the Porto Antico and the Lanterna.
Where to stay at night in Genoa?
- Victoria House
- Ca dei Nobili
- Guesthouse The Lively Nicole