You never stop discover Genoa. This is something that boaters know all too well—even though they live elsewhere, they’ve chosen to keep their boats permanently moored at our Genoa marina, and who take advantage of this opportunity to visit the Town from time to time, always finding something new. From historic buildings to museums, from squares to hikes in the hills, from fishing villages to the surprises of Genoa’s vertical landscape, there is always something worth discovering. But you don’t always need a specific destination: simply set out from the boat slips at the Porto Antico and let yourself be carried away by the narrow alleys and streets of the city center to stumble upon countless treasures that reveal the true soul of our regional capital. And when it comes to seeking out authenticity , it’s simply impossible to overlook Genoa’s many historic shops: true symbols of the Town, they capture—like nothing else—the tastes, colors, foreign influences, traditions, and eras of “La Superba.”
A Brief Guide to Genoa’s Historic Shops
Anyone who moors at our marina in downtown Genoa, in the heart of the Porto Antico, can understand this better than any other visitor: the sea and the town are one and the same, and “La Superba” has become the town we know today precisely because of its constant interaction with the sea. The constant flow of traffic from all over the Mediterranean—and beyond—becomes strikingly clear on a tour of Genoa’s historic shops. That’s because in these ancient shops you can find absolutely everything— and have been able to for as long as anyone can remember: tripe, confetti, stockfish, oil cruets, safes, harps, and much more.
In total, there are more than 100 historic shops in Genoa with over 70 years of history; many are more than a century old, and some of them have even been in business for over 200 years.
A tour of the town’s workshops, restaurants, and historic shops
It certainly comes as no surprise that, just a short walk from our marina in Genoa, you’ll find a wide variety of historic shops. In Sottoripa , for example, there’s the “lock wizard,” Giovanni Steri, with his workshop that’s over a century old; also on the ancient Ripa Maris, we find another historic shop, Lucarda, where the Town’s first pair of jeans was sold in 1920. A little further on is the Marescotti di Cavo pastry shop and liqueur store , founded in 1780 under the name Cioccolateria Cassottana, which has long been a staple of the area thanks to its blend of classic Savoyard and Genoese pastry traditions.
The beauty of Genoa’s historic shops is that, as you stroll through the city center, you’ll find them absolutely everywhere. The list could go on and on—you’re truly spoiled for choice. Take, for example, the Bottega dello Stoccafisso, founded in 1936 and famous for its baccalà and traditional stocche, enhanced with Taggiasca olives, dried mushrooms, potatoes, pine nuts, and tomatoes. Just a short distance away is another historic shop that’s a must for anyone who puts gastronomy first: the Tripperia Casana, where tripe has been prepared since 1890, when it was served for breakfast to factory workers. Just a few meters separate the tripe shop from another historic establishment with a decidedly sweeter focus: in Piazza Soziglia stands Confetteria Romanengo, the “oldest” confectionery in Italy, having opened its doors in 1780. It’s just a few steps away to try the iconic Panera, the coffee semifreddo that’s the symbol of another historic Genoese brand: Cremeria Buonafede.
And there’s more: in Vico Caprettari , you’ll find the FAI’s Antica Barberia, which opened in 1820 and still boasts its Art Deco decorations today; to taste the classic farinata, a stop on Via dei Giustiniani in Sa Pesta is a must ; since 1889, — also serves fried panissa and castagnaccio; and what aboutthe Antica Farmacia Sant’Anna, founded in 1750 by the Carmelites to prepare herbal remedies for a wide variety of ailments and pains?
These are just a few of Genoa’s many diverse and colorful historic shops: exploring them allows you to discover the history, flavors, and many facets of our town. And, of course, it’s all so much easier from the berths at our marina!