About Genoa
Genoa is the sixth-largest city in Italy and the capital of the region of Liguria in northern Italy. As of 2026, 566,247 people live within the city's administrative limits. While its metropolitan city has 820,691 inhabitants, more than 1.5 million people live in the wider metropolitan area stretching along the Italian Riviera.
Places to visit in Genoa
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Aquarium of Genoa
ZooOne of Europe's largest aquariums, with dolphins, sharks and penguins in the old harbor. Buy timed tickets online to skip the long lines, especially on weekends and holidays.
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Via Garibaldi
NeighborhoodA grand street lined with Renaissance and Baroque palaces, several of them now museums. Buy a combined ticket for the Strada Nuova museums to see inside the palaces.
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Genoa Cathedral
ReligiousA cathedral with a striking black and white striped facade in the historic center. Look for the unexploded World War II naval shell displayed near the entrance inside.
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Old Harbour
NeighborhoodA redeveloped waterfront area with museums, restaurants and harbor views. Take a ride on the Bigo panoramic lift for views over the busy port and the old town.
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Piazza De Ferrari
LandmarkThe city's main square, centered on a large bronze fountain and surrounded by grand buildings. It is a good starting point for exploring the historic alleys.
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Boccadasse
Neighborhood · 2 mi from centreA colorful former fishing village within the city, with a tiny pebble beach. Visit in the evening for an ice cream and a sunset view.
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Staglieno Cemetery
Historic · 2 mi from centreA vast monumental cemetery known for its realistic marble sculptures. Allow a couple of hours, and pick up a map to find the most notable tombs.
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Portofino
Neighborhood · 15 mi from centreA small, picturesque harbor village east of Genoa, popular with yachts and celebrities. Take the ferry from Santa Margherita Ligure to avoid traffic on the narrow road.
Things to do in Genoa by type
10 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Gastronomy & nightlife 5 experiences Dining Experience at a Local's Home in Genoa -
City tours 2 experiences Explore Genoa VIP Tour with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 2 experiences Explore Genoa VIP Tour with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket -
Day Trips & Excursions 2 experiences Discover Genova and Portofino - Full-Day Tour
- 1-3 hours 1
- 3-6 hours 1
- Private 1
- Wheelchair accessible 1
Top experiences in Genoa
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 10 available.
Local Market Visit and Private Cooking Class at a Local's Home in Genoa
From $187 per adult
Private Cooking Class in Genoa
From $143 per adult
Genoa Private Walking Tour
From $276 per adult
Small Group Street Food Tour in Genoa
From $119 per adult
Small Group Pasta and Tiramisu Class in Genoa
From $128 per adult
Genoa City - Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $25 per adult
Portofino - Open-Top Panoramic Bus Tour
From $76 per adult
Where to stay in Genoa
Popular hotels in Genoa, out of 379 properties you can book.
NH Collection Genova Marina
From $166 per night
NH Genova Centro
From $105 per night
Grand Hotel Savoia Genova, Curio Collection
From $225 per night
Continental
From $143 per night
Best Western Premier CHC Airport
From $115 per night
Starhotels President
From $114 per night
Palazzo Grillo
From $231 per night
B&B Hotel Genova Principe
From $101 per night
Le Nuvole Residenza D'Epoca
From $108 per night
Boccascena
From $160 per night
Hotel Britannia
From $50 per night
Tower Genova Airport Hotel & Conference Center
From $85 per night
Best time to visit Genoa
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Genoa is July, when average daytime highs are around 82°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Genoa weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 69° 63° 100%
- Thu 22 Oct 70° 53° 3%
- Fri 23 Oct 65° 51° 44%
- Sat 24 Oct 63° 53° 39%
- Sun 25 Oct 62° 54° 5%
- Mon 26 Oct 65° 57° 5%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- Italian
- Calling code
- +39
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/RomeUTC+2
- Capital
- Rome
Upcoming public holidays in Italy
- All Saints DayTutti i Santi
- Immaculate ConceptionImmacolata Concezione
- Christmas DayNatale
- St. Stephen's DaySanto Stefano
- New Year's DayCapodanno
- EpiphanyEpifania
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Genoa
These are the airports closest to central Genoa. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- GOA Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport5 mi (8 km) from the city centre
Getting around Genoa
Locals will say driving around the city is somewhat faster than public transportation (traffic jams at rush hours notwithstanding), but once you have reached your destination you are faced with the nightmare and frustration of looking for a nonexistent parking spot. It is not just chance that most locals switched from cars to scooters - to the extent that even finding a spot for a scooter has become difficult too.
Public transportation
Public transportation will probably be your best bet within the city. The bus network is operated by AMT and services the whole city until 01:00. Be sure to check the routes and timetables you need because the system can be somewhat confusing, e.g. some routes only travel at certain times and are replaced by other similar ones with different numbers at those times.
By taxi
Radio Taxi Genova provides taxi services; call +39 010 5966 or download their app. Taxis also line up at some tourist attractions. Piazza de Ferrari in the old city is a reliable place to find taxis lined up.
By boat
AMT also operates a public boat service called Navebus (see timetable) connecting the Porto Antico to Pegli. It is a great and cheap way to have a look at the city from the sea; once in Pegli, you can visit the Villa Pallavicini public park.
Genoa travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Genoa?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Genoa is July, when average daytime highs are around 82°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
What is the weather like in Genoa?
August is usually the warmest month in Genoa, with average highs of 87°F (30°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 41°F (5°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 256 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Genoa?
Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) is the closest airport, about 5 miles (8 km) from the centre of Genoa.
What currency is used in Genoa?
Genoa uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Genoa in?
Genoa uses the Europe/Rome time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Genoa?
Locals will say driving around the city is somewhat faster than public transportation (traffic jams at rush hours notwithstanding), but once you have reached your destination you are faced with the nightmare and frustration of looking for a nonexistent parking spot.
What are the best places to visit in Genoa?
Top sights in Genoa include Aquarium of Genoa, Via Garibaldi, Genoa Cathedral and Old Harbour. One of Europe's largest aquariums, with dolphins, sharks and penguins in the old harbor. Buy timed tickets online to skip the long lines, especially on weekends and holidays.
What are the top things to do in Genoa?
Popular experiences you can book in Genoa include Local Market Visit and Private Cooking Class at a Local's Home in Genoa, Private Cooking Class in Genoa and Genoa Private Walking Tour. Destina Holidays offers 10 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Genoa?
The most popular types of experiences in Genoa are gastronomy & nightlife (5), city tours (2), tickets & attraction passes (2) and day trips & excursions (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Genoa?
Popular areas for hotels in Genoa include Genova. Well-reviewed options include NH Collection Genova Marina and NH Genova Centro.
How many hotels can I book in Genoa?
Destina Holidays currently lists 379 properties in and around Genoa, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
