Genoa walking tour & city guide

The caruggi and the palaces

The old town is one of the largest medieval centres in Europe, a tangle of dark, narrow lanes where washing hangs between tall houses and tiny shops sell focaccia, cheese and fresh pasta. The striped Cathedral of San Lorenzo and Piazza De Ferrari, with its large bronze fountain, mark the heart of the city.

Via Garibaldi, the 'Strada Nuova', is lined with Renaissance and baroque palaces built by Genoa's wealthy families and listed by UNESCO as the Palazzi dei Rolli. Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Tursi are now museums with art collections and rooftop views.

The Old Port and Boccadasse

The Porto Antico was redesigned by architect Renzo Piano, a native of Genoa, and is home to one of Europe's largest aquariums, the Bigo panoramic lift and a lively waterfront promenade.

East of the centre, the seafront Corso Italia leads to Boccadasse, a tiny fishing village of pastel houses around a pebble cove, perfect for gelato at sunset. Funiculars and lifts climb to viewpoints such as Spianata Castelletto, high above the rooftops.

Visiting tips

Genoa has two main stations, Principe and Brignole, with trains along the Ligurian coast to Cinque Terre, Portofino (via Santa Margherita Ligure) and the Riviera. The old town is best explored on foot, but be ready for steep streets and stairs.