Discover Genoa: Culture, Harbour and Green Trails

Genoa: Palazzi, Museums and a Multifaceted Urban History

Genoa combines important cultural sites with historic complexes, museums and paths through diverse landscapes. The UNESCO World Heritage property comprises 42 Palazzi dei Rolli in the historic centre of Genova. The Musei di Strada Nuova form a museum circuit with more than 75 rooms dedicated to Renaissance and Baroque art. At the Palazzo Rosso, you can encounter 17th-century art, the collections and the historic furnishings of the Brignole-Sale family.

The Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno holds a special place: it is an open-air museum with free admission. The Castello D'Albertis Museo delle Culture del Mondo is a museum residence in a Neo-Gothic castle. It houses ethnographic and archaeological material collected by Captain D'Albertis on five continents. The Castello D'Albertis can be reached by the Montegalletto lift; its entrance is 50 metres from Genova Piazza Principe railway station.

Harbour Life and Experiences for Different Travel Plans

A different side of the city can be seen at the Porto Antico. The harbour area was redesigned by Renzo Piano in 1992 on the occasion of the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, and today it is a tourist centre of the city of Genova. Here you can enjoy aperitifs, dine out, go shopping, watch a film, ice-skate or swim. The Acquario di Genova covers approximately 27,000 square metres and displays around 11,000 animals from 450 different species. Forty large tanks recreate underwater habitats true to the original. The Galata Museo del Mare complements the maritime offering with interactive multimedia stations and a shipyard.

The Villa Durazzo Pallavicini, by contrast, focuses on an experiential tour through a romantically inspired garden. Its park is structured as a theatrical narrative with three acts and twelve scenes.

Green Trails, Coast and Views

In addition to the 17th-century city walls, the park comprises 16 military forts built between the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century. Since 2008, it has protected 617 hectares of green hills.

The Parchi di Nervi form a large green area made up of several gardens. Today, they house art museums for modern and contemporary art as well as important cultural and specialist events. Their green paths lead to the rocky coast of Capolungo and offer exceptional views of the Golfo Paradiso and the Portofino promontory. The historic aqueduct of Genova forms a walking route through forests and along paths leading as far as the Porto Antico. Along the way, the route crosses the Staglieno monumental cemetery and includes a hidden underground section within the urban area.

For another viewpoint, an approximately 800-metre-long walk leads to the rocky promontory with the Lanterna lighthouse. A multimedia museum is located within the fortifications, and the first viewing terrace can be reached on foot. The approximate length of the walk provides a useful guide for planning your day.

Excursions by Train, Bicycle and Garden Architecture

The narrow-gauge Trenino di Casella railway runs for 25 kilometres along the Apennine ridge between Valle Scrivia and Val Polcevera. Its route passes through steep slopes, valleys and forests. Cycling and trekking routes in Genova include the Voltri–Crevari–Passo della Gava–Monte Reixa route. Together with the paths along the historic aqueduct and in the Parco delle Mura, it offers various ways to explore Genoa actively without separating culture from the landscape.

The Villa Durazzo Pallavicini develops the theme of the garden as a staged experiential space. Two lakes, small waterfalls, streams, fountains and diverse garden architecture shape the park. The grounds appear in Neoclassical, Neo-Gothic, rustic, Chinese-inspired and exotic styles. This creates an excursion destination where the focus is not only on individual structures but also on the sequence of different garden scenes.

Ligurian Culinary Culture and Special Occasions to Visit

The regional culinary scene includes the competition for Pesto alla Genovese in Liguria. It attracts participants from around the world and has an international jury of gastronomy professionals. Another special occasion is a weekend of the Palazzi dei Rolli: dozens of public and private palazzi then open to the public and are presented by academic guides.

Getting There and Finding Your Way During Your Stay

Genova is served by Cristoforo Colombo Airport, located in Sestri Ponente and connected to the centre by public transport. The seaport facilities connect Genova with the main ports of the Mediterranean. Railway lines serve the urban area from east to west, while the four motorways A12, A10, A26 and A7 lead to Genova by car.

For your stay in Genoa, you can choose the location of your accommodation according to your preferred focus. Museums, palazzi and historic complexes create a different daily rhythm from harbour life, garden architecture, coastal views or paths through the green hills.

Other places in the region: Bogliasco, Coreglia Ligure, Casella, Roverazza, Mignanego, Gaiazza, Velva, Campo Ligure, Ne, Stibiveri, Statale, Mele, Gorreto, Mortola, Sanguineto, San Salvatore, Casà, Pieve Ligure, Serra Riccò, Pedemonte, Leivi, Sori, Uscio, Montebruno, Castiglione Chiavarese, Tiglieto, Valbrevenna, Cogoleto, Teriasca, Zoagli, Lorsica, Neirone, Vobbia, Sella, Bargone, Carasco, Testana, Orero, Lavagna, Bargagli, Montoggio, Favale Di Malvaro, Casanova, Vescina, Santo Stefano D'aveto, Cicagna, La Costa, San Lorenzo della Costa, Cogorno, Prati, Nascio, Fascia, Rezzoaglio, Prato, Bricco, Isola del Cantone, Torrazza, Ronco Scrivia, Campomorone, Busalla, Sestri Ponente, Moconesi, Sant'olcese, Recco, Santa Margherita Ligure, Sestri Levante, Comeglio, Tessi, San Colombano, Ruta, Portofino, Nervi, Borzonasca, Arenzano, Savignone, Rapallo, Genoa, Casarza Ligure, Chiàvari, Moneglia, Camogli, Rossiglione, Bracco, Masone, Pegli.

To the broader travel overview: Liguria.