Best Things To Do in Genoa

If you plan to visit Genoa, you will find yourself in one of Italy's most beautiful destinations and also one of the key sites of international maritime trade since time immemorial. Located on the Ligurian Sea, this city offers culture, art, unforgettable landscapes and some of the most outstanding museums in northern Italy.

Some of the best things to do in Genoa include visiting the lighthouse, strolling around the local harbour, visiting the Christopher Columbus House, visiting the Galata Sea Museum and discovering Boccadasse, the fishermen's quarter with its traditional spirit and timeless beauty. Here's everything you need to know to enjoy your trip to Italy's Liguria.

The Genoa Lighthouse, known locally as La Lanterna, is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world and an iconic symbol of the city. With a height of 76 metres, it is the tallest lighthouse in the Mediterranean and the second tallest in the world, fulfilling not only signalling duties for ships, but also being an important strategic defence and observation post.

From the top of La Lanterna you can enjoy a panoramic view of Genoa and its industrial port, which is one of the largest in Italy. Moreover, the lighthouse is surrounded by a park where you can stroll around while discovering its monumental structure, which is more than nine centuries old.

Booking tickets for the Genoa lighthouse also gives you access to a museum dedicated to the maritime and port history of the city. This space, located on the first floor of the building, includes exhibits on the evolution of navigation, the development of the port and the crucial role that La Lanterna has played over the years to become a reference of the cultural heritage of this destination.

If you are a lover of marine life or plan to visit this destination with children, one of the best places to discover is the Genoa Aquarium, which is also one of the largest in Europe. Inaugurated in 1992 for the city's Expo, the aquarium is located in the Old Port and houses 12,000 animals of 600 different species. From sharks and dolphins to penguins and tropical fish, you'll find an immersive experience in its tanks.

The aquarium tour, which includes the recreation of more than 70 ecosystems, offers interactive exhibits that allow you to get up close and personal with the animals. One of the most popular attractions is the dolphin tank, but you can also walk through the shark tunnel, which offers an unparalleled panoramic view. I encourage you to buy tickets for the Genoa Aquarium online so you don't have to waste time at the ticket office.

On the other hand, you can also feed some of the species that live there and learn about the importance of ocean conservation. This combination of natural beauty and education is what has established the Genoa Aquarium as one of the city's main tourist attractions, attracting thousands of people every year.

The port of Genoa is one of the largest and oldest in the Mediterranean and has been a key point for European maritime trade since the Middle Ages, so a stroll around this site will allow you to discover the historical epicentre of this destination. From the deck of the boats, you'll also have incredible views of the cityscape and the Ligurian Sea that surrounds the Genoese port.

When you book a boat tour of the port of Genoa, you will have the opportunity to see La Lanterna, the lighthouse that has shaped the city for centuries and is still one of its most recognisable symbols, as well as the old harbour walls, the cranes and the industrial areas that are still in operation. This contrast between the traditional and modern infrastructure is one of the most interesting aspects of the tour.

However, it is the combination of history and nature that makes this activity so popular. Along the walk, you can enjoy the calm waters of the Mediterranean while learning details about Genoa's maritime past and its historical evolution. It's also a good opportunity to take panoramic photographs with the Apennine Mountains as a backdrop.

The House of Christopher Columbus will give you an insight into the origins of the explorer who changed the course of world history. Although the current house is an 18th century reconstruction, it stands on the site of what is believed to have been the original Columbus family home, near the Porta Soprana, one of the ancient medieval gates that is also one of the city's main historical attractions.

The house serves as a museum dedicated to the life and voyages of Christopher Columbus Here you can visit exhibitions that highlight Columbus' childhood and youth in Genoa, as well as the details of his famous expeditions to the New World under the patronage of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain. Through information panels, documents and replicas, the museum offers an overview of medieval Genoa and the explorer's life and career.

Among the exhibits on display in the museum are reproductions of maps and charts that Columbus used during his transatlantic voyages, as well as illustrations and documents that tell the story of his four expeditions to America. Although the collection is modest, its value lies in its connection to Columbus' legacy and its ability to immerse visitors in the era in which he lived.

When you book tickets to the Christopher Columbus House museum you will also find materials on the influence that Genoa, as a maritime power, had on the young conquistador's upbringing.

Marking the city's kilometre zero, Genoa Cathedral is one of the most important and oldest religious buildings in Italy. Built in a fascinating mix of architectural styles, ranging from Romanesque to Gothic, the cathedral has witnessed the evolution of Genoa and its black and white marble façade has become an unmistakable symbol of this destination.

Inside the cathedral you can admire a collection of art and different historical elements. The frescoes, sculptures and marble-decorated side chapels stand out for their beauty and artistic value. One of the most important treasures inside is the Sacro Catino, an ancient glass vessel which, according to legend, was used at the Last Supper.

In addition, another of the cathedral's chapels houses a highly venerated relic: the ashes of Saint John the Baptist, the patron saint of Genoa.

Please note that, due to its strategic location in the city centre, you can visit this site on your own, by public transport or by including a stop in your planned itinerary if you decide to book a private tour of Genoa, an experience in which you can choose which sites to visit.

If you want to visit one of the most important maritime museums in Europe, you can't miss the Galata Sea Museum in Genoa, which offers a complete overview of the city's naval and maritime history. Housed in a historic building that was once an arsenal, this museum tells the story of Genoa as a maritime power and its relationship with the sea over the centuries.

Among the museum's historical artefacts are model ships, charts, nautical instruments and weapons that reflect the beginnings of naval history. One of the highlights is the life-size replica of a 17th century Genoese galley, where you can walk around the deck and experience up close what life was like on board these ships in ancient times.

When you buy tickets to the Galata Sea Museum, you won't just see ancient artefacts, but also contemporary issues such as migration. The MEM exhibition offers an interactive experience where you can embark on a symbolic journey, reliving the voyages that thousands of Italians made to America in search of a better life.

This part of the museum is particularly moving, highlighting the harsh realities of migration and the importance of the sea as an escape route. You'll also find a section dedicated to Christopher Columbus, in a journey that shows his connection to Genoa and his legacy as an explorer.

Via Garibaldi is one of Genoa's most iconic streets and is known for its architecture and history. This artery was built in the 16th century as an exclusive avenue for local aristocratic families, so a stroll along this site will immerse you in an open-air museum, surrounded by Renaissance and Baroque palaces that showcase the splendour of ancient Genoa.

One of the main attractions of Via Garibaldi are the Palazzi dei Rolli, a collection of colourful palaces that were once the residence of the city's most influential families. Some of the most notable are Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi, which now house art museums where you can admire works by Van Dyck, Veronese and Rubens, as well as collections of decorative art.

These palaces not only stand out for their collections, but also for their interior courtyards and gardens, which offer a quiet respite from the bustle of the city and where you can find cafés and ice-cream parlours, ideal for escaping the heat if you plan to visit in summer. You can also include this street inside if you decide to book a private tour of Genoa.

Via Garibaldi is definitely a must for those who want to see the more refined and cultural side of Genoa. Along this street you can admire the opulence of the Genoese nobility and discover how the city's wealth from its thriving maritime trade was reflected in its architecture. Nearby you will also find the Aquarium and the Galata Sea Museum.

Boccadasse is a picturesque fishing district on the coast of Genoa that offers visitors the perfect getaway. This small and colourful district, with its pastel-coloured houses clustered around a small bay, is notable for its narrow cobbled streets where it is easy to indulge in the calm and relaxed atmosphere that characterises this Genoese corner.

The name of the district in Spanish means "mouth of an ass" and comes from the peculiar shape of the surrounding bay, which resembles the mouth of this animal. From this district you can enjoy panoramic views of the Ligurian Sea and there you will find the small pebble beach, which is a meeting point for the locals.

One of the highlights of Boccadasse is the viewpoint at the end of the promenade, from where you can get panoramic views of the coast. At sunset, this is one of the most romantic spots in the city, with the warm colours of the sky reflecting on the waters of the Mediterranean. You can get there on foot or by booking Genoa's hop-on-hop-off tourist bus.

Within Boccadasse you can't miss the Chiesa di Sant'Antonio, a church that overlooks the bay and adds a historical and cultural tinge to the neighbourhood. Nearby, you can also explore Corso Italia, Genoa's most famous waterfront promenade, and the Albaro neighbourhood, known for its elegant villas and gardens.

The Royal Palace of Genoa is one of the most famous monumental buildings in the city. Built in the 17th century for the Balbi family, one of Italy's most influential dynasties, the palace passed into the hands of the Durazzo family before becoming the property of the Savoy family, the Italian royal family, in the 19th century. Today, the palace is a state museum that preserves the splendour of its aristocratic past.

In this building you can tour the rooms that belonged to the nobility, which are decorated with frescoes, gilded stuccoes and original furniture that reflect the luxury in which the former owners lived. Highlights include the Throne Room, used by royalty during official visits, and the Hall of Mirrors, inspired by the famous Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

The Hall of Mirrors also offers a wide view of the palace gardens and the port. Throughout the visit you will be able to see the building's art collections, which include works by Tintoretto and Luca Giordano.

The Porta Soprana is one of Genoa's emblematic monuments and one of the few medieval gates still standing from the ancient city walls. Built as part of the local defensive system, the Porta Soprana marked the entrance to the city from the east with twin towers flanking the central arch.

In a perspective view of the gate, you can distinguish its sturdy structure and architectural design typical of the Romanesque style. The strategically placed towers rise above the narrow medieval streets and offer a full view of the historic centre of Genoa. From the top you can enjoy a panoramic view of the rooftops and domes of the nearby churches, as well as the Ligurian harbour and the Ligurian Sea.

Next to the Porta Soprana is another site of great historical significance: the House of Christopher Columbus, believed to be the home of the renowned explorer during his youth and home to an exhibition worth visiting in Genoa, already recommended in the list due to its historical importance.