How many ports of Genoa are there? Which ones are they? And which are available to yachtsmen looking for a berth to explore the city’s attractions or to make a stopover in Liguria? For those unfamiliar with our city and coastline, understanding, delimiting, and recognizing the different ports of Genoa can be quite challenging, with areas dedicated to yachting, cruise ships, and, of course, large facilities dedicated to logistics, in an extremely extensive port system. Indeed, there is no doubt: for many people, the term “port of Genoa” often means something different, from those who refer to the entire system to those who indicate the trusted city marina, to those who mean the Porto Antico area. Here is a guide to the port and ports of Genoa.

The Port of Genoa: an Introduction

The port of Genoa has an ancient history, rooted in the very origins of the city. Historians tell us that the very first inhabited nucleus of Genoa, dating back to the 6th century BC, was a settlement formed not by people coming from inland, but from the sea. It is therefore not surprising to find references to the Genoese harbor already in Roman times, but it is in the Middle Ages that the port of Genoa gradually took shape: its overall layout remained largely unchanged until the mid-19th century! The port, as developed in the Middle Ages, took advantage of the natural bay of the Mandraccio (a term probably of Arabic origin, meaning a “safe haven”). It was a leading port in the Mediterranean for a long time, a hub of international maritime trade, especially in the 1500s, not coincidentally referred to as the “Century of the Genoese.” With the discovery of America and the subsequent shift of many trades towards the Atlantic, the port gradually lost importance; its revival occurred between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the construction of the new port of Genoa and continuous expansions (here we have provided a summary of the history of the Port of Genoa).

And today? Even today, the ports of Genoa take advantage of their strategic position, being at the center of a major industrial and commercial area in Northern Italy and Southern Europe: the system extends for a full 22 kilometers along the Ligurian coast, ranging from the Porto Antico basin (where our marina of Genoa is located) to Voltri. Thus, the port of Genoa, in its broadest but also most precise sense, occupies a stunning 6 million square meters on land and 14.5 million square meters in water. This enormous hub presents itself as a multifunctional structure, hosting within it huge terminals for logistics, to accommodate ships loaded with any type of goods, from metals to perishable goods; there are also passenger terminals, ship repair yards, maritime agents, and indeed tourist ports.

Based on these figures and services, it is not surprising at all that Genoa is the leading Italian port in terms of handling and among the top in Europe when looking at containerized transport tonnage, also thanks to its connection with about 450 ports worldwide.

After this general introduction, let’s focus on the ports of Genoa for yachting: what are the mooring options for nautical tourism in Genoa?

The Ports of Genoa for Yachting and Nautical Tourism:

The historical and cultural attractions of the city of Genoa, the gastronomic excellences of Liguria, the hiking trails in the natural parks along the coast, the beaches of all kinds, the characteristic seaside villages: Genoa and its surroundings are a tourist destination known worldwide, and there are certainly many boating enthusiasts who decide to explore these territories with their own boat. Well, there is no shortage of tourist ports available to them! Looking at the coast between Portofino and Genoa, reaching Savona and Vado Ligure, there are thousands of berths, to accommodate boats of all sizes, from small vessels to the largest and most luxurious super yachts. And of course, the services offered vary, ranging from the simplest marinas, offering little more than a berth, to the most modern and comfortable marinas.

The list of ports of Genoa is long, looking at the entire provincial territory: it ranges from the port of Sestri Levante to that of Rapallo, from Portofino to Voltri. However, there is no doubt: those who want to moor in the heart of the historic center of Genoa, just steps away from the beauties of our capital, opt for the comforts of our Marina Porto Antico.

The Marina in the Historic Center of Genoa: Marina Porto Antico

Our tourist marina Marina Porto Antico stands where the port of Genoa was born and developed over the centuries, in the heart of the area precisely called Porto Antico. The entire area, as is known, was renovated, rethought, and regenerated for the 1992 expo, with the project by Renzo Piano aimed at re-establishing the connection between Genoa and the water. Thus, here, along with our tourist marina, you will also find the Aquarium of Genoa, the Bigo, the Biosphere, Eataly, restaurants (including a Michelin-starred one), children’s games, and much more, all in the full historic center, and therefore just steps away from the Palazzi dei Rolli and the alleys.

Our tourist port of Genoa awaits you with 270 berths, for boats up to 75 meters in length, without any draft issues and with the unbeatable protection offered by the breakwater of the Port of Genoa. Here you will find all the services that an excellent tourist port is called to offer, from sanitary facilities with showers and changing rooms to waste collection directly on the quay. All that’s left is to book your berth in Genoa!