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Guide to Genoa, Italy
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Genoa
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Genoa Genoa is a beautiful Italian city with a history dating back more than 2500 years. The citys streets both wide and narrow are a mixture of the old and the new modern high-rises and chic hotels intertwined with historic landmarks and beautiful European architecture. Genoa is a portside town, and even though it is not the epicenter for maritime business it once was, the waterside neighborhoods still deliver quite a bit to the citys foundation, and it is safe to say that Genoa would not be what it is today without the seafaring culture that dominated here for millennia. Visit Genoa and youll experience its unique balance of modernism and living history.
When to go:
Genoa is beautiful destination to visit any time of year. For most of the year the city enjoys long days with mixtures of sun, warmth, and wind from the sea. Not to fear, the wind presents more of a relief from the hot days than a nuisance to your travels throughout the streets. Winters are pleasant in Genoa, though temperatures tend to dip somewhat and youll probably find yourself reaching for a light coat on your way out the door. Nevertheless, Genoa is a wonderful place with lively people, never without exciting things to do.
Getting there and around:
Flights to Genoa arrive at Aeroporto Internazionale de Genova Cristoforo Colombo. Its not too far from the city centre 6.4km, and youll have access to everything you need, such as information, maps, buses and taxis.
We advice you to take Volabus service to one of two major bus stations in Genoa: Stazione Pricipe, or Stazione Brignole. Buses that travel to both depart from Cristoforo Colombo every half-hour.
If its possible, we suggest experiencing most of Genoa on foot. It is entirely possible, with the city spanning only 2 miles along the Italian coast. However, if you must take transportation that includes a set of wheels, then we recommend taking a taxi over a bus. The buses are good for traveling to set, high-traffic destinations within Genoa, but taxis are not much more expensive, and you have a much wider range of choices in places to go. Taxis are available throughout the night as well (you dont want to get mugged in an alley on your way back to your hotel on the last day of your trip).
Attractions:
The Acquario di Genova (Aquarium of Genova) should be your first sight-to-see. It is, without a doubt, the largest aquarium in Europe, and houses many exhibits which are re-creations of habitats for aquatic life found all over the world. The aquariums home is an appropriately designed structure resembling a ship - with dock as an entrance. The re-creation of a Red Sea coral reef is a must-see. Youll find sharks, seals, dolphins, stingrays (which you can pet), and an interesting short 3D-film on ocean life (narrated in Italian you can obtain an English transcript).
The Cattedrale San Lorenzo is another must-see. Its unique architecture is fantastic, and it holds some great historical importance, although an aspect of its alleged history is not entirely confirmed. At arrival youll immediately notice its size and the black-and-white striping. The French Gothic carvings are spectacular, and the two stone lions at the entrance exude a sense of authority. The inside of the cathedral, however, brings even more wonder. There is a display in one chapel which holds an unexploded shell that traveled through the roof shot from a British ship. Also, a crypt that is said to hold the remains of John the Baptist was found here. This has not been confirmed, but it makes you wonder.
Two wonderful galleries given to the city of Genoa from the proprietors of two amazing palaces (the galleries are the palaces), are the Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Spinola, and the Galleria di Palazzo Bianco. Both are home to extraordinary works by famed Italian artists such as Strozzi and Lucas Crinach the Elder.
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