Italy

Discover the top-rated tours in Genoa, including audio guides, walking tours, and museum visits. Skip the lines and explore with expert tips.

Best Genoa Tours in 2026 – Book Self-Guided Experiences

Genoa

cathedral

Palazzo S. Giorgio

Palazzo Ducale

Chiesa e chiostro di San Matteo

Vico della Casana

Strada Nuova Museums - Palazzo Rosso

Palazzo Bianco

Piazza Banchi

Palazzo Spinola National Gallery

Santo Stefano

Aquarium of Genoa

Christopher Columbus House

Galata Museo del Mare

Bigo Panoramic Lift

Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea

Chiesa di Santa Maria di Castello

Palazzo Doria (Gio Battista Spinola)

Royal Palace Museum

It's up, up, and away to the skies of Genoa with this thrilling 360° experience. Welcome to The Bigo, a panoramic lift at the Aquarium of Genoa that offers an extra special bird's-eye view of one of Europe's richest and most vibrant historical centers!

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Bigo Panoramic Lift: Fast Track Ticket

Sure, it _looks_ like half a giant clear golf ball sitting on Genoa's Old Port, but this amazing 'Glass Bubble' has over 150 different species of tropical plants, trees, and flowers packed inside! _La Biosfera_ is bursting with tropical beauty, just behind the Genoa Aquarium!

Biosphere: Fast Track Ticket

If you like the thought of watching sharks in action, but prefer to stay dry with all your limbs intact, head to the Aquarium of Genoa. Sharks, dolphins, penguins and more reside in Europe's largest aquarium, where 70 rooms house 12,000 animals and sea creatures. Built inside an old ship in the harbor, the entire thing is a visual spectacular!

Aquarium of Genoa: Skip The Line Ticket

Tucked away on the Italian Riviera between leafy hills and foamy turquoise surf, the Abbey of San Fruttuoso is its own little slice of heaven. Accessible via a sun-kissed cruise or a brisk hike through hilly woodland trails, arriving at this hidden oasis makes for some golden memories, no matter which way you approach it.

Once a sleepy fishing village, then a notorious pirate cove, the beautifully restored Benedictine monastery has a tale or two to tell. Sunglasses? Check! Ticket? Check!

Abbazia di San Fruttuoso: Entry Ticket

Not far from Porta Soprana, the best-known gate of the ancient walls of Genoa, is the Casa di Colombo (Christopher Columbus House) where the discoverer of the Americas lived in his youth. 

According to archival documents, Domenico Colombo, father of the great navigator, moved to the house in Genoa in 1455, when Christopher was four years old. The ground floor of the house was used as a workshop; a wooden beam divides it from the upper floor, where the rooms for private use were located.

Christopher Columbus House: Fast Track Ticket

Immerse yourself in the largest exhibit of aquatic biodiversity in Europe, explore the most fascinating seas and waters in the world, and see amazing aquatic creatures in this unforgettable experience. Choose from a range of thematic itineraries and learn more details about the secrets and stories of the aquarium. 

Need to relax and unwind after all that walking around and exploring? You're in luck! Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Tender Cafè, where you can taste authentic Ligurian and Genoese specialties. Lunch can be enjoyed between 11:30 and 16:00, which leaves plenty of time for sightseeing!

Aquarium of Genoa: Entry Ticket + Lunch

In the center of this Ligurian city, you'll find the Genova Aquarium, one of the biggest in Europe. It offers visitors a chance to learn about the world's marine environments and discover a wide array of sea species. 

After you've seen fish and sea creatures, get ready for a taste of Genoan street food. Located under the arches of Sottoripa near the Aquarium, a historic fry shop delivers delicious fried seafood and local Ligurian dishes. 

It was officially named one of Genova's historic stores in 2022, and has been serving up tasty treats since 1890.

Grab a takeaway cone filled with a variety of fried seafood, like calamari, shrimp, frisceu, and panissa, and then walk through the diverse, lively historic center of the city!

Genoa Aquarium: Entry Ticket + Street Food Tasting

This self-guided audio walking tour explores Genoa’s grand seafaring history, sacred art, and waterfront charm. It is ideal for first-time visitors who want a vivid introduction to the city, from medieval lanes to elegant palaces and the busy old port.

The route begins at the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, where Genoa’s striped stone and layered history make a striking first impression. From there, you continue to the Church of the Gesù, Piazza De Ferrari, the house linked to Christopher Columbus, and the nearby Terrazza Martini Tower area. The walk then leads to the hilltop church of Santa Maria di Castello, on through the noble cityscape around Palazzo Doria, and onward to the Royal Palace Museum.

The final part of the tour follows Genoa’s deep bond with the sea, with stops at the Galata Maritime Museum, the Aquarium, and Porto Antico. It also points beyond the center toward glamorous Portofino before ending in Boccadasse, the former fishing village on the water’s edge.

Along the way, the most memorable experiences include stepping inside richly decorated churches, tracing the city tied to Christopher Columbus, admiring aristocratic residences, and finishing with harbor views, colorful facades, and the salty atmosphere of the Ligurian coast.

Genoa: Self-Guided Audio Tour Through the Proud Maritime City

Embark on an adventure through the cobbled streets and historic haunts of Genoa with this immersive in-app audio tour. Designed for first-time visitors, this self-guided journey offers a peek into the city's grand piazzas, palaces, and maritime wonders, revealing why Genoa is a treasure trove of cultural heritage. A private guide will lead your exploration through the vibrant alleys, opening up a world where majestic history and present-day Genoa interlace seamlessly.

The tour begins at the Bigo Panoramic Lift, where the city stretches out beneath you, inviting you to view Genoa from the skies. Your route then carries you to the palatial beauty of the Palazzi dei Rolli on Via Garibaldi and onwards to the spiritual splendor of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. After marveling at the maritime artifacts at the Galata Museo del Mare and visualizing underwater adventures at the Nazario Sauro Submarine, conclude your walk in the Piazza Raffaele De Ferrari, passing through the Old Port Area and whispering past the historic Strada Nuova Museums. Your discoveries come to a splendid end at the iconic Doge's Palace.

This audio tour not only showcases Genoa's majestic architecture but also conjures the days when seafarers embarked on globe-spanning voyages. Allow your imagination to set sail as you traverse a cityscape where every corner holds a tale, every building a memory. By the tour's end, you'll carry with you not just photographs, but the echoes of Genoa's storied past and vibrant present.

Genoa: Piazzas & Sea Legends Audio Tour

Uncover the captivating history of Genoa with this self-guided audio tour, perfect for travelers eager to explore its medieval architecture, stunning squares, and maritime legacy. Ideal for history buffs and art enthusiasts, this tour reveals Genoa’s transformation from a Mediterranean powerhouse to a modern cultural hub.

The route begins at the Church of Santo Stefano and winds through the Old Town's landmarks like Piazza De Ferrari, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Porto Antico. Along the way, travelers will see iconic sites such as the Church of San Matteo, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and the House of Christopher Columbus. The tour concludes at Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Bianco, home to some of Genoa’s finest artistic treasures.

Expect to marvel at grand palaces, intricate Gothic architecture, and vibrant squares. Learn how Genoa's merchants shaped global trade and how Genoese artists contributed to Europe’s cultural heritage. This journey through Genoa guarantees unforgettable insights into the city’s architectural beauty, artistic achievements, and pivotal role in maritime history.

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