Genoa
Food | Wine | ArchitectureGenoa Travel Guide: Things to Know Before You Go
Our full-time travels started in Genoa. Except for a quick trip to Nice, this is where we spent all of February. Admittedly, Genoa is probably not for everyone. However, if you are passionate about narrow, winding, pedestrian-only, cobblestoned streets lined with historic shops and want to avoid tourists, you should plan a trip to Genoa!
Below is a guide to our favorite food, wine, and architecture in Genoa, plus some additional travel tips and resources we picked up along the way. We hope this information will inspire you to plan your next trip!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Genoa Food
The traditional dishes in Genoa employ simple cooking methods and an abundance of vegetables, herbs, and olive oil. In addition to pasta and baked goods, the region offers many seafood specialties.
Genoa Wine
Genoa is the capital of the Liguria region. Save for a few exceptions, Liguria is primarily known for white wines that pair well with pesto and seafood. The Liguria Wine page includes information about the wines produced in the region.
Genoa has several wine shops, including a superb location specializing in bulk wines.
Genoa Architecture
The historic center of Genoa is one of the largest and most densely populated old towns in Europe. The old town is characterized by the Strade Nuove and the caruggi.
The Strade Nuove (“New Streets”) are wide boulevards with impressive palaces once owned by important noble families.
The caruggi are a maze of narrow streets connecting small squares. The streets are lined with historic shops, and beautiful churches dominate the squares.
Where Is Genoa Located?
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.
Where Is The Best Place To Stay In Genoa?
Hotels in Genoa
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!
What Is The Best Time To Visit Genoa?
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.
Weather
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.
Shoulder Season
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.
Best Value
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.
FAQs About Genoa
Is Genoa Worth Visiting?
Yes, Genoa is definitely worth visiting. If you enjoy exploring palaces and eating pesto, you will have a wonderful time in Genoa. We explored this question in depth in our article “Is Genoa, Italy Worth Visiting?”
Is Genoa Expensive?
We found Genoa, Italy to be less expensive than other Italian cities like Venice or Florence. However, the cost ultimately depends on the level of luxury required. We prepared a Budget for a Month in Genoa that analyzes all the necessary expenses.
What Is Genoa Famous For?
Genoa, Italy is famous for its pesto and palaces. Pesto and palaces are everywhere!
Is Genoa Pretty?
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.
How Many Days In Genoa Is Enough?
You will need two days to walk the Old Town of Genoa and tour its palaces and maritime museum. For a list of the best things to see and a suggested walking tour, check out our article “13 Best Things to See in Genoa, Italy.”
What Region Is Genoa In?
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.
How To Get To Genoa?
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. To arrange a taxi or private transfer in advance, we recommend GetTransfer.
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.
Other Things to Know About Genoa
Airport
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.
Train Stations
Genova Piazza Principe Station – Piazza Acquaverde 16126, Genoa, Italy
Genova Brignole Station – Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, 2, 16121, Genoa, Italy
Ferry Terminal
Port of Genoa – Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari
Time Zone
Central European Standard Time (GMT +1)
Currency
Euro €
Language
Italian – Genoa is a city where English is not abundantly spoken.
Visa
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.
Electricity
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.
SIM Card
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.
Car Rental
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.
Genoa Blog Posts
22 Pros and Cons of Living in Genoa, Italy
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Budget for a Month in Genoa, Italy
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Vino Sfuso Genoa: Buy Wine Like a Local
If you're interested in vino sfuso Genoa, congratulations! You've discovered the secret to buying wine like a local in Genoa, Italy. The vino sfuso or vini sfusi are bulk wine shops that sell quality wines by the liter at discount prices....
Is Genoa Worth Visiting?
Genoa is definitely worth visiting for its historical significance and impressive architecture. The city boasts many beautiful palaces, stunning views of the Ligurian Sea, and mouth-watering cuisine. Its rich cultural heritage makes it a...
9 Best Historic Shops in Genoa, Italy
Genoa, with its interesting history and vibrant culture, is home to some of the most fascinating historic shops in Italy. These shops not only offer a unique shopping experience but also provide a glimpse into the city's past. The Best...
13 Best Things to See in Genoa, Italy
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