Things to do in Genoa for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appAll self-guided activities
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!
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!
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!
FantaCinema allows movie buffs and casual film fans alike to trace the journey of one of the world's favourite genres. Everything from Dracula to Marvel is covered on this deep-dive into the world of fantasy cinema! The tour includes a historical section that explores early cinema, cameras, projection and more. Plus, get Instagram-worthy photos with some of your favourite characters in life-size, from movies like Lord of the Rings, Hellboy, Pirates of the Caribbean and more. There are authentic props and costumes from hit movies, and so much more.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
About Genoa
The best walking tours to do in Genoa are:
The best tours to do in Genoa with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Genoa for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Genoa
WeGoTrip IncWhen I visit Genoa, I always start with pesto alla genovese—here it’s made with basil from nearby Pra’, pine nuts, Parmigiano, pecorino, garlic, and good Ligurian olive oil, usually tossed with trofie or trenette. Genoa is also famous for focaccia: plain and salty in the morning, or the softer focaccia di Recco style with melted cheese if I want something richer. I also recommend farinata, a thin chickpea pancake baked in a wood oven, and pansoti with walnut sauce. If you visit Genoa, tasting these local staples is one of the best things to do in Genoa, and any solid travel guide Genoa should tell you to follow the bakeries and old trattorias, not the flashy waterfront menus.
I recommend late April to June, or September into early October. That’s when Genoa feels lively but not overwhelming, and I can actually enjoy the caruggi, the old port, and seaside walks in Boccadasse without summer heat pressing down. In July and August, Genoa gets humid, and locals often leave the city on weekends for the Ligurian coast. If you visit Genoa in spring, pesto season and outdoor café tables make everyday wandering one of the best things to do in Genoa. In my travel guide Genoa advice, I’d also mention February if you like quieter museum days and crisp light over the harbor.
When I want the best attractions in Genoa beyond the usual center, I head up to Spianata Castelletto for the view, then take the old public elevator back down into the caruggi. I also recommend Nervi for its cliffside Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi and small sea-facing museums, or Camogli for an easy day by train. If friends ask me what to see in Genoa, I tell them to mix the grand Palazzi dei Rolli with everyday places like the food stalls in Mercato Orientale. For more local-style tours in Genoa, I prefer following the funiculars and hilltop neighborhoods, where Genoa feels lived-in, not staged.
On my first day in Genoa, I’d keep it simple and layered: start in the caruggi around San Lorenzo, then step into the cathedral before the lanes get crowded. After that, I like walking Via Garibaldi for the Palazzi dei Rolli, then stopping for focaccia from a neighborhood bakery rather than sitting down right away. One of the smartest things to do in Genoa is to use the lifts and funiculars—Castelletto gives you the view that makes Genoa make sense. If you’re deciding what to see in Genoa, mix grand palaces with Boccadasse or Nervi. For attractions in Genoa, I’d skip rushed tours in Genoa and leave time to wander.
When I plan to visit Genoa around an event, I look first at the Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare, when Genoa leans into its maritime pride with historic costumes and rowing crews. I also like Euroflora when it’s on, because the city fills with Ligurian blooms and design displays that feel very local, not just decorative. In June, the Festa di San Giovanni Battista is one I recommend for seeing Genoa at its most rooted, with evening celebrations tied to the city’s patron saint. In my travel guide Genoa notes, I’d add the Rolli Days too: they’re among the best things to do in Genoa if you want rare access to aristocratic palaces usually closed.
In my travel guide Genoa advice, I usually tell first-timers to stay near the Centro Storico but not deep in the narrowest caruggi—around Via Garibaldi, Piazza delle Erbe, or the edges near De Ferrari works well. You’re close to the best things to do in Genoa, but you can still sleep at night. When I visit Genoa, I also like Castelletto if I want quieter evenings and wide views, as long as I’m happy using the lifts and funiculars. If you visit Genoa for sea air and a more local rhythm, Boccadasse or Nervi feels less hectic than central Genoa and gives you easy waterfront walks.
When I’m showing someone Genoa, I usually start with the Centro Storico, because its caruggi, tiny shrines, and old shop signs hold some of the most layered attractions in Genoa. I’d then go up to Castelletto for Liberty-style buildings and that famous terrace view, then head east to Boccadasse for its fishermen’s houses and evening sea light. Nervi is another favorite in Genoa: the promenade there feels calmer, with parks and waves breaking below the cliffs. If you’re deciding what to see in Genoa, I’d mix these with Via Garibaldi’s palaces. The best tours in Genoa, in my experience, are the ones that connect everyday neighborhoods, not just monuments.