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.

aka Royal Palace aka Palazzo di Stefano Balbi

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

 The palace was home to the Balbi, Durazzo, and Savoy families from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

The palace underwent significant renovations in 1705 and 1831.

aka Palazzo di Francesco e Ridolfo Brignole Sale

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

Palazzo Rosso is a double-residence palace. 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.

aka Palazzo di Luca Grimaldi

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

Palazzo Bianco contains one of the more extensive city art galleries.

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.

aka Palazzo di Niccolò Grimaldi

• List No. 16
• Owner: Nicolò Grimaldi
• Architect: Domenico and Giovanni Ponzello
• Style: Mannerist
• Built: starting 1565
• Address: Via Garibaldi, 9

Palazzo Tursi is built on three plots of land located on via Giuseppe Garibaldi. After acquiring it for his son, Giovanni Andrea Doria had the loggias added to the front of the building in 1597. Vittorio Emanuele I of Savoy bought the palace in 1820 and had it renovated by the architect Carlo Randoni.

Palazzo Doria-Tursi has housed the offices of the Municipal administration since 1848.

aka Palazzo Carrega-Cataldi

• List No. 11
• Owner: Tobia Pallavicino
• Architect: Giovan Battista Castello “il Bergamasco”
• Built: 1558 – 1561
• Address: Via Garibaldi, 4, 16124 Genova GE

The palace is now home to the Genoa Chamber of Commerce.

aka Palazzo Doria Spinola aka Palazzo della Prefettura

• List No. 1
• Owner: Antonio Doria
• Architect: Bernardino Cantone and Giovan Battista Castello
• Built: 1541 – 1543
• Address: Largo Eros Lanfranco, 1, 16122 Genova GE

Open to the public.

• Owner: Nicolò Lomellini
• Built: 17th century
• Address: Piazza della Nunziata, 5, 16124 Genova GE

Palazzo Nicolo Lomellini, a 17th-century architectural marvel, stands as a testament to the beauty and opulence of Genoa. Located in the heart of the city, this palace exudes an air of elegance and grandeur.

• Owner: Cardinal Vincenzo Giustiniani
• Built: late 16th century
• Address: Piazza Giustiniani, n. 6

The building was raised by one floor, and the Loggia dei Giustiniani was closed in the first half of the nineteenth century.

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

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

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

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.

• Architect: Giovanni Antonio Ricca
• Style: Baroque
• Built: rebuilt 1733
• Address: Piazza S. Giorgio, 16128 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 from 1830 to 1840s.

• Architect: uncertain
• Style: Baroque
• Built: 1584 – 1619
• Address: Via S. Siro, 4, 16124 Genova GE

• Architect: Carlo Mutone 
• Style: Baroque
• Built: 1626 – 1650
• Address: Via S. Luca, 1, 16124 Genova GE

• Architect: Bartolomeo Bianco 
• Built: 1629 – 1635
• Address: Via Balbi, 7, 16126 Genova GE

The loggia facade was built in 1743.

• Style: Baroque
• Built: 1674 – 1712
• Address: Via Lomellini, 10, 16124 Genova GE

The church’s facade was not completed until 1738.

• Style: Romanesque and Gothic
• Built: 1260; renovated multiple times
• Address: Piazza di Sarzano, 35/R, 16128 Genova GE

The church is deconsecrated and is now used as an auditorium for performances by Teatro della Tosse.

Porto Antico, or the Old Port, is a vibrant area of Genoa that showcases a mix of modern and historic architecture. The port was originally built in the 13th century and has undergone extensive transformation over the years.

• Address: Piazza Raffaele de Ferrari, 16121 Genova GE

Piazza de Ferrari took shape in the early 20th century. 

• Owner: Guglielmo Embriaco (possibly)
• Built: early 12th century
• Address: Salita alla Torre degli Embriaci, 15, 16123 Genova GE

• Address: Piazza Acquaverde, 16134 Genova GE

The Monumento a Cristoforo Colombo, or the Monument to Christopher Columbus, is an iconic landmark in Genoa. Located in Piazza Acquaverde, this grand statue commemorates the city’s most famous explorer. The monument was unveiled in 1912 and stands tall as a tribute to Genoa’s maritime history and connection to the discovery of the New World.

Boccadasse is an ancient fishing village in the municipality of Genoa. Located along the picturesque Ligurian coastline, Boccadasse exudes charm and tranquility. As you stroll through its narrow streets, you’ll be captivated by the vibrant colors of the traditional fishermen’s houses that line the shore.

Renzo Piano, an acclaimed Italian architect, has left an enduring impact on the architectural scenery of Genoa through his remarkable contributions. His architectural designs harmoniously combine functionality with visually appealing structures, elevating the allure of the city.

Some of his notable works in Genoa include the contemporary art gallery situated in the San Giorgio area, the fluid campus located in the city center, and the innovative Morandi Bridge. These projects reflect Piano’s visionary approach to modern urban studies and building research, showcasing his expertise and innovative spirit in shaping urban environments.

Piano’s architectural legacy in Genoa stands as a testament to his artistic vision and profound influence on contemporary architecture.

Stefano Boeri and Gabriele Basilico have left a mark on Genoa architecture. Boeri’s Vertical Forest is a standout feature, reshaping urban landscapes with greenery. Basilico’s photography captures the essence of Genoa’s historic buildings. Additionally, Luigi Carlo Daneri revived Genoese architecture with his influential designs.

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!

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

Genoa is famous for several things, including its history as a maritime power and its beautiful architecture. Some of the most notable attractions in Genoa include the historic center, which features narrow streets and medieval buildings; the Palazzi dei Rolli, a collection of grand palaces built during the 16th and 17th centuries; and the Aquarium of Genoa, one of the largest aquariums in Europe.

The architect of Genoa Port is Renzo Piano, an Italian architect and engineer. He is known for his innovative designs, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris and The Shard in London. The Genoa Port project was a major redevelopment effort that aimed to modernize the harbor and create a new urban space for the city. Renzo Piano’s design included a new terminal building, a cruise ship terminal, a pedestrian bridge, and other infrastructure improvements. The project was completed in 2020 and has been praised for its functional design and integration with the surrounding urban landscape.

Basilico di San Siro is credited with being the oldest building in Genoa, Italy.

Italy is known for its history and culture, and one of the most famous architectural styles associated with the country is Renaissance architecture. This style originated in Italy in the 15th century and is characterized by a focus on classical forms, symmetry, proportion, and balance. Some of the most well-known examples of Renaissance architecture in Italy include the dome of the Florence Cathedral and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Other notable architectural styles found throughout Italy include Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical.

Art and culture have played a significant role in the history of Genoa. As an important port city and center of trade, Genoa was home to many wealthy merchants who supported the arts and commissioned works from local artists. The city’s cultural heritage is reflected in its many churches, palaces, and public buildings, which feature stunning examples of architecture, sculpture, painting, and decorative arts.

The region gets its name from the Ligurians, its pre-Roman inhabitants. The Ligurians fell under Roman rule in the 1st century BC. After brief Lombard and Frankish rule, the city of Genoa began to emerge as a leading power as early as the 11th century AD.