Location: Genoa
Top Things to do in Genoa
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What to do and see in Genoa, Liguria: The Best Historic Sites
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. 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)
2. House of Giacomo Lomellini and House of Marini-Spinola
3. Musei di Strada Nuova
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Palazzo Tursi Since 2004, the Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Tursi – the three historical, municipally-owned stately homes in the 16th-century Strada Nuova – constitute a continuous exhibition devoted to ancient art: the Museums of Strada Nuova. The Palazzo Rosso, historical residence of the Brignole Sale family, and the Palazzo Bianco, a prestigious art gallery, have been open to the public since the end of the 19th century; the Palazzo Tursi, the seat of the Municipality, hosts a museum as well as cultural and official events. Joint in a continuous exhibition path, the three buildings retain their own specific historical features and collections, transforming the Strada Nuova into a real ‘museum-street’: a masterpiece of the Genoese architectural and residential tradition, with a cultural establishment unique in size, features, quality and prestige. The Museums of Strada Nuova also provide cafeteria services and bookshops.
Reviewed By CWBuff - Abington, United States
One of numerous museums on Via Garibaldi and part of a combination ticket (I would still recommmend getting the Museum Pass though - even the 24hr one - you'll get your moneys worth on the 2nd entry) Just.... too much stuff to describe!!!! Frescoes, paintings, furniture, metal & porcelaine things - all with nice doze of history! Highly recommend
4. Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Spinola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 336 reviews
Reviewed By 946lenak - Minsk, Belarus
Absolutely stunning! Definitely worth visiting even though it's not as easy to find as other palaces because it's not on Via Garibaldi but rather further in the Old Town. I would highly recommend spending time wondering around old narrow streets to get to this Palazzo as it's one of the oldest ones (the oldest?) in Genova. The interiors and the artwork are breath taking. This might be the only place in the world where you can see paintings by van Dyck and Rybens without queuing. They organize guided tours every half an hour, the male guide we had was amazing and spoke good English. The entrance fee is lower than in other Palazzos and gives you a discount to visit Museo di Palazzo Reale for just 3 EUR. If you ever come to visit Genova, this is a must-see!!!
5. 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!
6. Villa Rosazza Di Negro
7. Chiesa di Santo Stefano
8. La Commenda di Pre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
The Commenda di Prè is a complex of two beautiful churches, located one on top of the other: a medieval diamond of outstanding beauty. Built in 1180 by the will of Friar Guglielmo of the Knights of St. John – which later became the Order of the Knights of Malta –, the Commenda became a place of support and assistance for pilgrims and crusaders travelling to or from the Holy Land. Among its illustrious guests were two Popes: Pope Urban V, passing through Genoa on his way to Rome in 1367, and Pope Urbano VI, who settled there for over a year between 1385 and 1836. After forty years of restoration work, in 2009 the Mu. MA reopened the Commenda to the public, organising a “museum-theatre” exhibition with the strong message that “Nobody should feel a stranger in Genoa”. A multimedia instalment animates the ancient walls, bringing back to life the characters of Genoese, Latin, Frankish, Muslim, and Jewish medieval history.
