Location: Genoa
Top Things to do in Genoa
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What to do and see in Genoa, Liguria: The Best Sights & Landmarks
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. 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
6. 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.
7. 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!!!
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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!
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