2026 is an important year for Marina Porto Antico: your berth in the heart of Genoa is celebrating its 30th anniversary. This milestone makes us proud—and also gives us pause for thought. We still feel like a young marina, and this feeling is certainly fueled by the frequent renovation projects we undertake to ensure that, year after year, we offer a modern marina that keeps pace with the times; at the same time, however, this anniversary highlights the maturity of our marina, which—not surprisingly—has become a go-to destination for those seeking a sophisticated and, yes, prestigious berth in Liguria.
30 Years of Marina Porto Antico
Today, having a berth in the center of Genoa seems almost natural. Yet when Marina Porto Antico was founded, the idea of mooring a pleasure boat in the heart of the city was anything but a given.
Now that this modern marina is celebrating its 30th anniversary, it may be hard to imagine, especially for those who didn’t experience our town in the 1980s and early 1990s. In fact, this area used to be very different from what we know today: we’re talking about a large section of the waterfront that was completely cut off from city life, enclosed behind massive gates.
The transformation that began in the 1990s has radically changed the face of this crucial area, giving rise to an urban renewal project that has restored the Town’s direct connection to the sea. The creation of Marina Porto Antico is, in fact, part of the broader renewal process that has shaped Genoa since the 1992 Colombiadi: we are, of course, referring to the restoration of the Porto Antico, but also the revitalization of the historic center, with the redevelopment of squares and historic buildings, as well as the gradual pedestrianization of the heart of Genoa.
As the town became more attractive, restoring its architectural and artistic treasures, our marina took shape in an area that had long been marked only by abandoned buildings and urban decay, creating a prime gateway for boaters. Choosing one of our berths means mooring right in the city center, just a short walk from the wonders of the historic heart of “La Superba.”
The approach taken for the development of Marina Porto Antico was an innovative one: not a new expansion into the sea, not another concrete-filled development, but rather the revitalization of an existing space, transformed into a modern marina that is seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric. Around the moorings, services, commercial establishments, lodging facilities, offices, and residences have sprung up, creating a lively and dynamic neighborhood just a short walk from the Town’s main landmarks.
How the Boating Industry Has Changed
With its 270 berths and a unique location between the Porto Antico and the historic center, Marina Porto Antico has thus become one of the most charming gateways to Genoa, welcoming boaters from all over Italy and abroad, thereby contributing to the revitalization of one of the town’s most iconic sites.
Of course, it’s not just our town that has changed over these three decades. The era we’re living in today is different in so many ways: think of digitalization, but also the way we spend our free time and travel. All of this has had tangible consequences for the boating world as well, and our marina in the center of Genoa has been a close observer of these changes, both big and small.
First and foremost, it is the boats themselves that have changed, with an evolution that has affected virtually every aspect. Consider the hulls, which have become larger on average: not only longer, but also wider, in response to an ever-growing desire for space and comfort. And we’re not just talking about the superyachts moored in our marina. The size of standard recreational boats has also increased—from Sailing Boats to maxi RIBs—and catamarans are enjoying growing popularity.
In addition to getting larger, the recreational boats that fill marinas have gradually become more livable, increasingly taking on the character of floating homes: in fact, much of the focus has shifted from seafaring and navigational qualities to more social aspects related to relaxation and conviviality on board. Consequently, the increased available space is being utilized with spacious dining tables, large sun decks, and so on.
A dock in the heart of Genoa that looks to the future
Of course, our marina in the heart of Genoa hasn’t simply stood by and watched the evolution of recreational boating. On the contrary, Marina Porto Antico has worked year after year to adapt to change—and sometimes to anticipate it. Thanks to our inherently modern and safe facilities, we can comfortably accommodate large vessels, with dedicated berths for superyachts up to 25, 40, and 75 meters; but it’s not just about size.
To meet the demand for ever-greater comfort—and with a thorough understanding of the electrical needs of modern recreational boating—we have installed state-of-the-art power supply stations along the dock, capable of accurately measuring energy consumption and delivering up to 400 amperes. In terms of electrification, this project complements the work completed years ago to installelectric car charging stations in the marina’s private parking lot, allowing up to 120 cars to fully charge.
To ensure the best possible docking experience in downtown Genoa at all times, in recent years we have also renovated the restrooms on our piers, as well as the management office, and—among other things—set aside an area dedicated exclusively to package storage for our boaters.
In the heart of the Old Port, our marina continues to evolve, ensuring that boaters enjoy a mooring experience marked by comfort, safety, and innovation every day .