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.

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.

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The best month to visit Genoa depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best weather, fewer crowds, or the best value? Following are our suggestions for each.

The best weather is a personal preference. We find the best weather for exploring a city is around 55° F. The weather in Genoa can be warm during the summer.

Below is a chart showing the average high and low temperatures for each month so you can decide what is best for you.

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.

January and February are good months to visit Genoa for the best value and with few crowds. We spent all of February in Genoa and had excellent weather for exploring the city. We usually wore coats but never winter hats, gloves, or scarves. There were no crowds, and we were often the only museum visitors.

Genoa Airport (code: GOA) – there are no direct flights from the United States to GOA and connecting flights will cost significantly more than direct flights to Milan.

Milan Malpensa Airport (code: MXP) – there are direct flights from JFK, Newark, Chicago, and Atlanta to MXP. From there, a 30-minute train ride to Milan Central Train Station followed by a 1-hour 30-minute train ride to Genova Piazza Principe railway station will get you to the heart of Genoa.

Genova Piazza Principe Station – Piazza Acquaverde 16126, Genoa, Italy

Genova Brignole Station – Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, 2, 16121, Genoa, Italy

Port of Genoa – Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari

Central European Standard Time (GMT +1)

Euro €

Italian – Genoa is a city where English is not abundantly spoken.

Citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia don’t need a visa to visit Italy if they stay 90 days or less. For more information on visa-free travel in Italy, check out our article on traveling visa-free.

Italy’s electrical outlets are Type C, F, and L. They have a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Travelers from the United States will need an adapter.

If you have many items to plug in, we recommend a travel power strip with multiple USBs and standard plug-ins. Using a power strip, you will only need one adapter to plug the strip into the wall.

Travelers will want a SIM card for Italy. You can get either a local SIM card or an eSIM card.

To get a local SIM card, you have to find a local cellular service provider, often stand in line for assistance, show your passport, and complete some paperwork. The SIM cards work great, but purchasing them is somewhat inconvenient. This option is best if you need more than 5GB of data.

We use eSIMs exclusively because they can be purchased through an app prior to arrival in a new country and activated when you hit a cell tower in the country. We use Airalo eSIMs. They work great, and I recommend them if you plan to use less than 5 GB of data during your stay or if you need internet immediately on arrival.

Genoa is easily navigable on foot, boasting compact streets ideal for exploring. The city offers an efficient public transport system, including buses and a metro. Taxis are readily available for convenience. If you wish to venture beyond the city, Genoa’s train stations provide connections to other Italian cities. Additionally, ferry terminals offer scenic sea travel options to nearby destinations. Renting a car is recommended for exploring the picturesque Ligurian coastline and other attractions outside the city.

The fantastic train system in Italy makes rental cars unnecessary for most destinations. However, rental cars are needed to reach smaller towns and explore the countryside. In addition to the major car rental companies found in the United States, Sixt and Europcar are common throughout Europe. For a comparison of rental car offers from large, international brands and smaller regional brands, we recommend Discover Cars.