Location: Genoa
Top Things to do in Genoa
10 Free Things to do in Genoa That You Shouldn't Miss
Wandering the narrow caruggi alleyways of Genoa is a bit like solving a medieval labyrinth. In the heart of the Italian port city lies Piazza de Ferrari, a main square with a beautiful fountain and a perimeter lined with historic buildings, including the Palace of the Doges the Teatro Carlo Felice, which was destroyed during WWII and subsequently rebuilt. The seaside neighborhood of Boccadasse is vision of pink and yellow buildings that brighten up this lovely fishing village.
Restaurants in Genoa
1. Basilica di Santa Maria di Castello
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 466 reviews
Reviewed By taymazimi - Ramsgate, United Kingdom
This is one of my favourite churches in Liguria. The rest of the abbey is not functional anymore and unfortunately is not always open to the public, but with a bit of luck you would be able to find one of the welcoming priests or lay people who work there to open the doors to the complex behind the church to see some of the best examples of 16th Century Ligurian frescoes. The complex behind this church is a true gem, but this is not to say that the church itself is anything less than that. The atmosphere of this church is very calming, so much that an atheist like me can sit in here for hours and not even realising how quickly the time has passed.
2. Antica Farmacia Erboristica Sant'Anna dei Frati Carmelitani Scalzi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By rickypar
The Herbal Chemistry of Sant'Anna it's a cosy and secret place in Genova helpful for your health! Here the chemists monks make herbal remedies since 1650! The pharmacy is easy to reach by bus 36 or by the Sant'Anna funicular (that it's itself something not to miss)
3. Via Giuseppe Garibaldi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,188 reviews
Reviewed By DonaldHahn - State College, United States
Narrow Alley Lined With Wonderful Aristocratic Urban Palazzos in the great maritime trading rival to Venice. We took a slow walking tour down the street, admiring its amazing architecture, mostly from the Reniissance and the Baroque Age. MUST SEE!
4. Cattedrale di San Lorenzo - Duomo di Genova
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,839 reviews
Reviewed By jedferrari - Richmond, United States
While it is hard to get a good view of the building as it is in the middle of very small streets, the inside is quite impressive, and you clearly see the different times of construction / decoration. You can go on the top, and on the way get a cool view of the inside from a high point, then you get a great view of the old town.
5. Piazza San Matteo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 396 reviews
Reviewed By libius2018 - Moscow, Russia
The medieval piazza with palaces of Doria family members. The charch contents the sword of Andrea Doria and his tomb in cripta. For visiting it you have to ask a key. The tomb of Lamba Doria locates on the facade in the left side.
6. Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 829 reviews
The Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno, planned in the 1850s in an inhabited area, lies now in an area not far from the centre of Genoa. Staglieno's architectural pattern, albeit in the forms of a mature Classicism, draws on a genre that was rather common in Europe and Italy around the mid nineteenth century. However, the peculiarity and the charm of Staglieno lie in the fact that its architecture is combined with a natural layout, a type that is much more common in northern European cemeteries like, for example, the Pere Lachaise in Paris. It currently covers an area of 300.000 sqm.
Reviewed By giovannic973
The largest historical cemetery in Europe, full of amazing statues and beautiful ornaments. A visit is almost mandatory, better if not in summer.
7. Palazzo di San Giorgio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
Reviewed By laczkozsu - Debrecen, Hungary
It's a beautiful building with colourful frescos at the port. (My favourite one is St. George fighting with the dragon). The building became the Bank of Genoa in 1407, so it's the oldest bank-building in Europe. Unfortunatelly there's an ugly concret motorway nearby, but try not to notice it. Just look at the palace!
8. Chiesa di San Siro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, United States
As I was making my way from my nearby hotel to Palazzo Real, I stumbled upon this church. As I ascended a narrow alley this striking church presented itself. At the door was Giuseppe, a volunteer guide who is affiliated with the church (and others in the area) who welcomed me inside. He discussed various paintings, construction methods (ie: it took 45 years to complete this church), families affiliated with the church during its early years, its restoration post WWII (be sure to see the tall wooden ladders once used to restore areas near the ceiling), etc. The guild work, stone masonry and the art (paintings, frescoes, sculptures, woodwork) is truly spectacular.
9. Chiesa di Santo Stefano
10. Chiesa del Gesu e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 465 reviews
Reviewed By alibeegp - Corbridge, United Kingdom
This Church is a must to see if you are in Genoa.It was built by the Jesuit’s and the wonderful Baroque decoration is very uplifting and beautiful,with wonderful paintings and 2 incredible Rubens ,just so much to see ,I definitely want to go back as impossible to take it all in .I preferred it much more to the Cathedral /Duomo ,just below it as though magnificent was very dour in comparison ,(for me personally )
