Genoa, Italy is a port city known for its hillside palaces, narrow alleyways, and sweeping views of the Ligurian Sea. Once a powerful maritime republic, Genoa today offers visitors a layered mix of architectural landmarks, street food stalls, and coastal access.

But is Genoa the right destination for your trip? Choosing where to go depends on what you’re looking for—whether it’s urban exploration, seaside scenery, or a quieter alternative to Italy’s better-known cities. Like any destination, Genoa has pros and cons, and understanding both is essential for aligning with your travel goals.

We spent a month exploring Genoa’s neighborhoods, historic architecture, and traditional shops. In this post, we break down the key factors we considered when choosing to visit Genoa and answer frequently asked questions to help you decide if Genoa belongs on your itinerary.

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We spent the entire month of February in Genoa and feel like we know the city (at least the Old Town) pretty well. Based on our experience, we assigned each factor a score from 1 to 5, with one being the worst and five being the best. If the attribute is unavailable or does not apply, we give it a 0.

If you’re asking yourself, “Is Genoa worth visiting?” hopefully, this information will help you make a more informed decision.

Hot in the Summer	3
Cold in the Winter	4

Few Tourists in Large Groups	4
Few Cruise Ship Passengers	3
Few Tourists in Couples or Small Families	2
Pedestrian Only Areas	5
Lines at Attractions	5

Beaches with Calm Water (Kid-Friendly)	0
Beaches with Rough Water	2
Boating Activities/Kayaking	2
Rocky Swim Spots	1
Sunbathing	1

Wine	4
Beer	1
Specialty Liquor	2
Specialty Food	4
Seafood	5
Meat	2
Street Food	4
Large Food Market with Restaurants	5

History	4
Architecture	4
Art	2
Museums	4
Castles	0
Walled-City	2
Palaces	5
Hiking	1
Running	3
High-Fashion Stores/Shopping	2
Nightlife	3
Dog-Friendly	5
Kid-Friendly	4

Great Grocery Stores	4
English Widely Spoken	1
Outwardly Friendly Locals	4
American Tourists	1
Accessible by Train	5
Day Trips by Train	5
Clean Streets	3
Noise	4

Food Cost	4
Accommodation Cost	4
Activities Cost	4
Transportation Cost	5

Some factors may sway you in one direction or another, depending on your circumstances and interests—for example, the weather.  If you like to go to the beach, you may be looking for hot weather in the summer. If you like winter sports, you may be looking for cold weather in the winter. On the other hand, if you want to explore the city (like us), you may be looking for milder weather in the summer and winter. For this reason, you may need to take your situation into account.

While there are some exceptions, we assume the weather will be good in the Spring and Fall everywhere we consider visiting. So, we focus primarily on the Summer and Winter weather.

Hot in the Summer – 3

We were not in Genoa during the summer, but the average highs for June, July, and August are 77℉, 82℉, and 83℉, respectively.

Cold in the Winter – 4

We spent February in Genoa, and the weather was great! We wore jackets but no hats, gloves, or scarves. And we often wore our jackets unzipped. Perfect, mild winter weather for long walks around the Old Town! Gus, our French Bulldog, thought the weather was perfect. He set his personal record for daily steps while in Genoa in February.

If you’re looking for a snowy winter wonderland, this is probably not your destination.

Few Tourists in Large Groups – 4

There were large tourist groups in the Old Town, but they did not inhibit our ability to walk around and enjoy the area.

Few Cruise Ship Passengers – 3

Genoa is a cruise ship port, and there were some passengers in large groups, but they did not inhibit our ability to walk around or our enjoyment.

Few Tourists in Couples or Small Families – 2

There were tourists in, couples, and small families. The Old Town did get crowded on weekends and after work on weekdays.

Pedestrian Only Areas – 5

Genoa is advertised as one of the largest old towns in Europe. Most of the historic center is pedestrian only.  It greatly enhanced our enjoyment of the city! If only all other cities were as pedestrian friendly…

Lines at Attractions – 5

There were no lines at any of the attractions we visited. We often joked about our private tours! It was February, so this is not entirely surprising and may not indicate the lines in high season.

Beaches with Calm Water (Kid-Friendly) – 0

Genoa is not a beach destination. While there may be some places along the Ligurian coast, beaches with calm water that you can float around with a drink in your hand are not available in Genoa.

Insider Tip:  Check out our Rovinj, Croatia blogs if this is your most important criteria.

Beaches with Rough Water – 2

Beaches with rough water are not located directly within Genoa, but Boccadasse, a former fishing village, is a long walk or bus ride away. We walked there, and it took us an hour each way.

Boating Activities/Kayaking – 2

Boating/Kayaking are not typical tourist activities in Genoa, but there are some boating/kayaking opportunities in Genoa. See some highly-rated options below.

Insider Tip: Check out our Dubrovnik, Croatia blog if sea kayaking is your most important criteria.

Rocky Swim Spots – 1

Swimming in the sea with access from a rocky area is not available directly in Genoa, but Boccadasse is a bus ride away.

Sunbathing – 1

Sunbathing is unavailable within Genoa, but Boccadasse is near.

Experiences

Want to go on a boat trip while visiting Genoa? Book a highly-rated boating excursion with a Genoa meeting point!

Wine – 4

Genoa is in the Ligurian wine region, which produces Vermentino and Pigato wines. These are white wines that pair perfectly with the seafood of the area. These wines can be purchased reasonably in restaurants, local wine shops, and small grocery stores.

Insider Tip: If you want to buy table wine like a local, go to a bulk wine shop (“vini sfusi”). For more information, read our article titled “How to buy wine like a local in Genoa.” We developed a relationship with one vini sfusi and went there regularly (perhaps, too regularly, according to our waistlines).

Beer – 1

Genoa is not in a beer production region or known for beer.

Specialty Liquor – 2

Two of Italy’s most popular specialty liquors are grappa and limoncello. While these liquors can be purchased at most liquor stores, they are not local, Ligurian products.

Specialty Food – 4

Genoa is well-known for its focaccia, farinata, and pesto. Focaccia and farinata are available in every bakery (there are many).

Genoa is the birthplace of Pesto Genovese, which is made with pine nuts, basil, oil, garlic, and cheese. You can try this signature sauce in almost every trattoria in Genoa. It’s best served with trofie pasta – a short, twisted variety that pairs perfectly with the rich and nutty flavors of pesto.

Seafood – 5

Genoa is also known for its seafood. Mixed fried fish and squid (fritto misto) are available from street vendors and are a popular way to enjoy local seafood.

Additionally, fish markets are tucked into small stalls throughout the Old Town. You can purchase a large variety of freshly-caught seafood to prepare in your apartment rental (remember to take out the scraps before the place starts to smell)!

Meat – 2

While burgers and steaks are available, Genoa is not known as a meat-eating destination.

Street Food – 4

Genoa has good street food. As mentioned above, fritto misto and focaccia are very popular.

Large Food Market with Restaurants – 5

Genoa has a large market called Mercato Orientale. It is an excellent fresh food market with several restaurants—a “must-visit” for all foodies.

Experiences

Want to learn about local food and wine in Genoa? Book a highly-rated food experience while visiting Genoa!

History – 4

Genoa has a great maritime history. The Republic of Genoa rivaled Venice for trade starting in medieval times and lasting centuries. You can learn all about Genoa’s maritime history at the maritime museum in the Old Port, Porto Antico.

Also on the maritime history theme, Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa. His childhood home was reconstructed in the 18th century and near the Porta Soprana.

Architecture – 4

The narrow streets in the Old Town (called “caruggi” by the locals), the palaces, and the churches provide unique architectural attractions to occupy sightseeing days in Genoa. The buildings showcase many different styles from Renaissance to Baroque architecture.

Art – 2

Some palaces have art exhibits, but there are better destinations for art lovers.

Museums – 4

The maritime museum, Galata Museo del mare, is excellent and covers a more extended period than we expected. It undoubtedly exceeded our expectations.

We also went to many of Genoa’s museums and palaces and thought they were great.

The municipality of Genoa offers a discount card for entrance to the museums. It is the Genoa Museum Card. It includes entrance to the most popular palaces: Palazzo Spinola, Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco, and Palazzo Tursi. The last three are located on Via Garibaldi and connected into one museum.

Castles – 0

Genoa has no medieval castles (the 19th-century D’Albertis Castle does not count). That doesn’t mean we don’t recommend visiting D’Albertis Castle because we do. It’s a fascinating place and is included in the Genoa Museum Card. We just don’t think it’s a castle.

Walled-City – 2

Genoa is not a fully walled city, but portions of the old walls are still standing that you can visit.

Palaces – 5

Genoa has lots of palaces. The collection of palaces, known as the Palazzi dei Rolli, is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. If you’re interested in history, architecture, and exploring a UNESCO World Heritage site, these stunning palaces are definitely worth a visit.

Hiking – 1

Genoa is not known as a hiking destination. For more information on Genoa hiking, check out AllTrails.

Insider Tip: Take the train down the Ligurian coast to Cinque Terre for some incredible hiking.

Running – 3

You can run along the water, but it can be challenging due to the entrances and exits onto the highway. It’s not a runner’s paradise, but if you’re training for a race (or to stay in shape), you can find your way to the promenade along the water to get in your daily runs.

For more information on Genoa’s running routes, check out Map My Run. 

High – Fashion Stores/Shopping – 2

Genoa has many small specialty shops but no high-end fashion brand stores.

Nightlife – 3

Genoa has many busy bars and restaurants that seem to close early. The Old Town was quiet when we went for Gus’s evening walks. In our experience, it’s not a late-night party city.

Dog Friendly – 5

Genoa is very, very dog friendly. Dogs are welcome inside restaurants and grocery stores. We stopped taking Gus inside the grocery store because he would constantly pull to smell something, and it became frustrating for us, but he was very welcome. We saw a lady behind the deli counter ball up a piece of meat and toss it across the store to a dog. Undoubtedly, the Genoese love dogs more than anywhere else we have visited!

Kid Friendly – 4

While we don’t have kids, Genoa has a great aquarium and maritime museum that we think kids will enjoy.

Experiences

Want to learn about Genoa’s history? Book a highly-rated history tour while visiting Genoa!

Great Grocery Stores – 4

Genoa has excellent grocery stores in addition to the specialty shops found all around the Old Town.

English Widely Spoken – 1

If not for a couple of people (we’re not exaggerating) we encountered who spoke English during the month we were there, this would be a zero. We survived with the Italian we learned on Duolingo and learned a lot during our stay. But we stayed in an apartment. If you stay at a hotel, their staff will speak English.

Pro Tip: If you want to learn Italian, go to a city where the locals speak no English. In Florence, the locals got frustrated when we tried to speak Italian because we were so bad and their English was so good. They prefer to speak English then try to figure out what we’re saying in Italian.

Outwardly Friendly Locals – 4

The locals don’t speak English but are very friendly and patient with our poor Italian skills. We also had our Frenchie, and they are very friendly toward dogs, which helped.

American Tourists – 1

We did not encounter any other Americans during our entire month in Genoa.

Accessible by Train – 5

There are two major train stations ready to take you to Milan airport or anywhere else in Europe you want to go.

Day Trips by Train – 5

There are lots of day-tripping options available from the two major train stations.

Clean Streets – 3

The streets were neither super clean nor dirty. Overall, Genoa’s cleanliness is pretty typical of a large city.

Noise – 4

Genoa was not very noisy. This could be because the restaurants and bars closed relatively early. As mentioned above, it was very quiet when we took Gus out for his evening walk.

Food Cost – 4

The cost of food and wine is very reasonable in Genoa. Both are less expensive than other destinations in Italy (and much cheaper than most European destinations).

Accommodation Cost – 4

Accommodation cost is very reasonable in Genoa.

Activities Cost – 4

Activities are reasonably priced in Genoa.

You can purchase the Genova Museum Card for 15 euros, giving you 24-hour access to the 28 city museums, 19 civic museums, and 9 non-civic museums. For more information and to purchase the card, see the Museums of Genoa website.

Another option is the Genoa City Pass.

Transportation Cost – 5

Transportation is very inexpensive, with the two major train stations taking you around Europe and the local bus system taking you around Genoa.

Transfers

Check out the below transfer option to get you to and from Genoa airport.

Genoa’s very large, pedestrian-only Old Town is what makes it special, as well as its famous pesto and palaces. You can enjoy all of these while walking through the charming streets of the Old Town. Additionally, Genoa is less expensive than other Italian cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence, making it a great budget-friendly option for travelers.

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!

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.

Some of the most popular things to see in Genoa are:

• • Cathedral of San Lorenzo
  • Palazzo Ducale
  • Piazza de Ferrari
  • Lighthouse of Genoa
  • Bigo (if you’re into amusement park rides)

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.”

Genoa is a beautiful city with many attractions to see and experience, including its historic center, stunning architecture, museums, and delicious cuisine. Some visitors may only need a day or two to explore the highlights, while others may want to spend several days or more taking in all that the city has to offer.

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 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, 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.

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

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

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

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 part of the Italian Riviera.

Genoa is a port city on the Ligurian Sea in northern Italy. It is a 1 hr 30 min train ride south of Milan, a 3 hr 30 min ride east of Nice, France, and a 5 hr ride north of Rome.

Milan is known for its fashion, design, art scene, and historic landmarks such as the Milan Cathedral and La Scala opera house. On the other hand, Genoa is a coastal city with a rich maritime history and beautiful architecture in its old town. Both cities have their own unique charm and attractions, so it ultimately depends on what you are looking for in a travel experience.