Location: Genoa
Top Things to do in Genoa
What to do and see in Genoa, Liguria: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
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. Museo di Palazzo Reale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,104 reviews
Reviewed By backpacker31 - Boynton Beach, United States
Dating back to the early 1600’s when it was built for the Balbi family (subsequently owned and expanded by a succession of families), this massive home contains countless original items such as paintings, tapestries, furniture, sculptures, etc. The numerous rooms are decorated and arranged as if the homeowners will be returning shortly. The inner courtyard and garden provide a luxurious and tranquil environment. The top floor terrace offers sweeping city and port views. Each room has very informative literature (in several languages). A visit here was a step back to the golden era of Genoa’s seafaring history.
6. 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.
7. Galata Museo del Mare
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,174 reviews
Reviewed By A5550FKheleng - Weybridge, United Kingdom
Four floors of Genoa history. Plenty of exhibits for all ages, nearly all have an English translation. An interesting reconstruction of a 17th century galley, beautiful globes and atlases, plus a fantastic story of emigration and immigration, with photos, videos etc. See life for various passengers on board ship, there is also a submarine to visit. Do not miss the 360 degrees views of the port and the old city centre of Genoa from the two terraces on the 4th floor.
8. Castello d'Albertis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 537 reviews
The Museum of World Cultures is housed in the Castello D’Albertis, home of captain Enrico Alberto D’Albertis, its creator. After travelling by sea and land between the 19th-20th centuries, the Captain’s home collects pieces of his world in a romantic setting between “Chambers of Wonder” and colonial trophies. His castle testifies to the strong fascination that the distant worlds he had visited exerted on his soul, permeated with Genoese traditions and the love for the sea, as well as curiosity about the unknown and the unventured. But there is more. At the entry of the 16th-century bastion, on which the castle was built, starts a second exhibition, where archaeological and ethnographic pieces are displayed through the dialogue with the peoples who produced them, thus giving voice to multiple perspectives and making our certainties relative. The Castello D’Albertis is not only the home of Captain D’Albertis but our own house.
Reviewed By DonBursle
Stand in the square outside Piazza Principe station, look up past the statue of Christopher Columbus and you will see the towers of Castello D’Albertis. I wondered what it was, and finding out was easier than I expected. There is a really interesting (if you're an engineer) railway/lift just along Via Balbi under Hotel Vittoria, on which you can use your bus ticket, that takes you up to just outside the entrance to the park. It’s free to wander around the small park and castle grounds and only €6 to look around the museum. The museum has two subjects: items collected by Captain Enrico Alberto D”Albertis and his son on their explorations to various parts of the world; and World Cultures. It’s quite interesting and although most of it is in Italian there are explanation cards available in various languages including English next to many of the exhibits. Whatever you make of the museum it’s worth the entrance fee just to see the view over the city and docks. There is also a café just outside the castle for a cool drink in the shade. This museum is a little off the beaten track but it is most unusual and worth a visit if you have the time.
9. Teatro Carlo Felice
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
The Teatro Carlo Felice Opera House was inaugurated on April 7th 1828 with the opera "Bianca e Fernando" by Vincenzo Bellini. The original project was made by Architect Carlo Barabino. Unfortunately, during world war 2nd an incendiary bomb destroyed the Theatre. On April 7th 1987, the foundation stone of the new theatre was laid. The new architectural project was created by Ignazio Gardella, Aldo Rossi and Angelo Sibilla. The artistic season 1991/1992 was the rebirth of the new theatre. Since then artistic seasons including operas, concerts and cultural meetings have been held.
10. Piazza Raffaele De Ferrari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,445 reviews
Reviewed By laczkozsu - Debrecen, Hungary
This lively square is the meeting point between the old and modern city. It's lively but not overcrowded. There are some famous buildings around: Opera House (Carlo Felice Theater), Doge's Palce (Palazzo Ducale), stock exchange palace. In the middle you can see the statue of Garibaldi and a modern fountain. We walked here several times during our 3 days staying.
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