Genoa, known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and famous for its maritime history, offers a plethora of attractions. From the winding alleys of Genoa’s historical center to the magnificent Palazzi dei Rolli, there’s something to captivate every traveler. If you’re interested in architecture, the Best Things to See in Genoa are:

1. 1. Palazzo Spinola
   2. Palazzo Reale
   3. Cathedral of San Lorenzo
   4. Palazzo Rosso
   5. Palazzo Bianco
   6. Chiesa del Gesu
   7. Church and Convent of Santa Maria di Castello
   8. San Matteo Church
   9. Villa del Principe
   10. Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato
   11. Palazzo Ducale
   12. Porta Soprana
   13. Porto Antico

We spent the entire month of February visiting the sights in Genoa. Based on our experience, we compiled this list of the best things to see.

If you don’t have a month to explore, you can follow our suggested Genoa Walking Tour and see all the best sights in less than 2 hours (about 2 1/2 miles). This estimate allows time to stop for photos and take a peak inside the churches, but it does not include tours of the palaces or visits to museums.

aka National Galleries of Palazzo Spinola aka Palazzo di Francesco Grimaldi aka Palazzo Spinola di Pellicceria

• List No. 36
• Owner: Francesco Grimaldi
• Built: 1593
• Address: Piazza di Pellicceria, 1

It is owned by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism and houses the National Gallery of Art. It is one in a collection of palaces called the Palazzi dei Rolli that are destinated a Unesco World Heritage Site.

aka Royal Palace aka Palazzo di Stefano Balbi was home to the Balbi, Durazzo, and Savoy families from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

• List No. 30
• Owner: Stefano Balbi
• Architect: Pier Francesco Cantone, Michele Moncino, and Giovanni Angelo Falcone
• Built: 1650
• Address: Via Balbi, 10

The palace underwent significant renovations in 1705 and 1831.

The Cattedrale di San Lorenzo is the most important church in Genoa.

• Style: Romanesque and Gothic
• Built: c. 1098; consecrated 1118
• Address: Piazza S. Lorenzo, 16123 Genova GE

The cathedral was consecrated in 1118 after it was reconstructed in Romanesque style.

Following a fire in 1296, the building was partially restored, and the remaining portion was reconstructed in Gothic style.

New altars and chapels were added between the 14th and 16th centuries, along with the loggias in the towers of the façade.

Palazzo Rosso aka Palazzo di Francesco e Ridolfo Brignole Sale is a double-residence palace.

• List No. 19
• Owner: Rodolfo and Gio. Francesco Brignole Sale
• Architect: Pietro Antonio Corradi
• Style: Baroque
• Built: 1671 to 1677
• Address:  Via Garibaldi, 18

In 1874, the last heir of the Brignole Sale family donated the property to the city of Genoa.

It forms part of the Strada Nuova Museums along with Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi.

Palazzo Bianco aka Palazzo di Luca Grimaldi contains one of the more extensive city art galleries.

• List No. 18
• Owner: Luca Grimaldi
• Architect: Giacomo Viano (renovations)
• Built: 1530 to 1540; renovated 1714 – 1716
• Address: Via Garibaldi, 11

In 1711, the property passed to Maria Durazzo Brignole Sale, owner of the adjacent Palazzo Rosso. She had the building renovated with access from Strada Nuova and a new atrium-staircase-courtyard system similar to other buildings on the street. After being damaged by bombings in 1942, the palace was repaired and reopened to the public in 1950.

The Chiesa del Gesù aka Chiesa dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea acquired its current shape and name after the 16th-century reconstruction in the Baroque style.

• Style: Baroque
• Built: reconstructed 1552 – 1598
• Address: Via di Porta Soprana, 2, 16121 Genova GE

• Architect: Taddeo Carlone, Carlo Barabino, Giovanni Domenico Casella
• Style: Mannerism and Baroque
• Built: starting 1520
• Address: Piazza della Nunziata, 4, 16124 Genova GE

The church was built starting in 1520, but work stopped in 1537. The construction continued in 1591 under the direction of Taddeo Carlone.

Andrea Ansaldo completed the dome and Baroque decoration in the early 17th century.

Carlo Barabino built the neoclassical facade in the early 19th century.

The old port of Genoa is home to many cafes, restaurants, Eataly Genoa, the Genoa Aquarium, and the Bigo, which is a panoramic lift for great views of the city.

The Aquarium of Genoa is one of the best aquariums in Europe and showcases many different species including dolphins and numerous jellyfish.

A short walk from the Porto Antico along the water is the Galata Museo del Mare, which is a great Maritime Museum.

If you’re still on the fence after reading about the 13 best things to see, check out “Is Genoa Worth Visiting.” We review a long list of factors you should consider before reserving a room and booking your flight.

Old Town Genoa is large. But it’s primarily a pedestrian-only zone, so walking is your only option. If you have limited time, we suggest visiting the recommended sites in the following order:

• • Villa del Principe
  • Palazzo Reale
  • Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato
  • Palazzo Bianco
  • Palazzo Rosso
  • Palazzo Spinola
  • San Matteo Church
  • Cathedral of San Lorenzo
  • Palazzo Ducale
  • Chiesa del Gesu
  • Porta Soprana
  • Church and Convent of Santa Maria di Castello
  • Porto Antico

Following the suggested route, you will pass all 13 Best Things to See in Genoa.

Our suggested Genoa Walking Tour starts near the train station at the Villa del Principe, passes five of the most important palaces, five of the most important churches, the Porta Soprana, and ends at Porto Antico.

Want to learn about the history of Genoa? Book a highly-rated city tour!

Genoa, Italy is most famous for being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. It is also known for its maritime history and its beautiful old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Genoa is considered to be one of Italy’s major economic and cultural centers, and it has a long history as a trading port.

The city is also renowned for its delicious cuisine, particularly its seafood dishes and pesto sauce. Additionally, Genoa is home to many impressive historical landmarks and architectural treasures, such as the Palazzi dei Rolli and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo.

Genoa’s very large, pedestrian-only Old Town is what makes it special. Genoa is famous for its pesto and palaces, and you can enjoy them while walking the Old Town.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Genoa has many large palaces that were beautiful in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, Genoa is a port city. It may not have the glamour of the past, but it is pretty in its own gritty way.

There are many great places to stay in Genoa. For the best experience, we recommend staying in the Old Town. But Genoa Old Town is large. So, where in the Old Town? We recommend staying near Piazza Banchi  (the castle marker on the map below). It is in the heart of a beautiful shopping area, is close to the historical Palaces, and is centrally located in the Old Town.

Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Genoa is March, April, October, and November. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit.

If you fly into Genoa Airport, you can get to the city center and train stations by taxi, shuttle, or bus. There is no train from Genoa Airport to the two Genoa city train stations.

If you fly into Milan Airport, you can take the local train from Milan Airport train station to Milan Centrale train station. Then you take the regional 1hr 30min train from Milan Centrale to Genova Piazza Principle train station or Genova Brignole train station.

It is possible to explore some of the highlights of Genoa in one day but keep in mind that there is much to see and do in the city. If you only have one day, it is recommended to prioritize the top attractions, such as the historic center, known as the “Caruggi,” where you can wander through narrow streets and discover charming shops and cafes. Be sure to visit the famous aquarium, one of the largest in Europe, which offers a variety of marine life exhibits.

Another must-see is the Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a series of palaces that were once used to accommodate important visitors. Additionally, consider taking a stroll along the picturesque waterfront promenade, known as the “Porto Antico,” where you can enjoy beautiful views of the harbor and visit interesting museums like the Galata Maritime Museum. While one day may not be enough to experience everything Genoa has to offer fully, you can still get a taste of its history, culture, and culinary delights.

The number of days you need to explore Genoa fully depends on your personal preferences and the activities you wish to engage in. However, a general recommendation would be to spend at least 2-3 days in Genoa to have enough time to visit the main attractions, explore the historic center, and sample the local cuisine. This timeframe allows you to soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere and get a good sense of its history and culture. Of course, if you have more time, you can extend your stay in Genoa and venture out to nearby towns or take day trips to other destinations along the Italian Riviera.

We found Genoa, Italy to be a less expensive than other Italian cities like Venice or Florence.

Yes, I felt welcome in Genoa as an American who speaks little Italian. The friendly people, the many palaces to visit, and the prominent Old Town to explore provide many things for tourists to enjoy while in Genoa. While the general population speaks little English, everyone who works in hotels and restaurants does speak English.

If you primarily interact with hotel and restaurant employees, you don’t need to speak Italian to enjoy Genoa. But, few locals in Genoa speak English, so interaction with anyone outside the tourism industry will require you to speak some Italian.

Genoa is located in the Liguria region of Italy. Liguria is bordered on the south by the Liguria Sea, on the west by France, on the north by the Piedmont region, and on the east by the Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions.

The most famous tourist destinations in Liguria are Portofino and Cinque Terre. They are in an area often called the Italian Riviera.

You will need the Italian translator app downloaded on your smartphone.

Genoa is a port city on the Ligurian Sea in northwestern Italy. It is a 1 hr 30 min train ride south of Milan and a 3 hr 30 min ride east of Nice, France.