A seaside town with a thousand facets, boasting a long and glorious history: from the narrow alleys to the stately palaces, from the baroque churches to the small squares, Genoa is a continuous surprise for the attentive visitor. After all, it was Fabrizio de Andrè who said that “apart from the wide expanse of the sea, it is a city of ups and downs, made of narrow streets and curves, thus a city that constantly surprises you.” For this reason, creating a short list of things to see in Genoa in a day is not at all simple. Even the most diligent visitor, with the most intelligent itinerary from morning to evening, will end up excluding many attractions of the Ligurian capital. Sometimes, however, it is not possible to do otherwise: here are the attractions to see in Genoa in a day.
What to See in Genoa in One Day: A Tried-and-True Itinerary
The Old Port
The discovery of Genoa can only start from its waterfront. Here, around our tourist port, you can find museums, cultural centers, shopping galleries, bars, restaurants, and attractions of all kinds, in every season. Undoubtedly among the main attractions are the grand Galeone Neptune, the famous Bigo built for the 1992 expo, and the maritime museum Galata.
The Genoa Aquarium
The most well-known attraction of the Old Port is certainly the Aquarium, which deserves a separate mention. Showcasing to visitors of all ages sharks, manatees, moray eels, seals, and many other animals from every corner of the world, this enormous aquarium is rightly famous internationally. A quick visit requires between 2 and 3 hours – although it must be said that one could spend entire days here!
Cathedral of San Lorenzo
After the Aquarium, it’s time to leave the sea behind and venture into the narrow alleys of the Old Town, to get a little lost among these picturesque medieval streets. The destination to reach, without haste, is the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. It’s impossible not to recognize it at first glance: tall and massive, it is built with white and black marble, and boasts two decidedly photogenic large lions. The cathedral of the Genoese amazes outside and even more inside, especially in its right nave, where an exact copy of an unexploded bomb from 1941 is preserved, a memory of one of the fiercest attacks suffered by Genoa during the world conflict.
Piazza De Ferrari
A few steps from the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Piazza de Ferrari can be considered the heart of the town, and is easily recognizable by the large bronze fountain. Here it is worth lingering to admire the buildings overlooking the square, such as the Palazzo Ducale, the seat of the dogate of the ancient Republic, the Teatro Carlo Felice, as reconstructed after World War II, and the Stock Exchange building, the best example of Liberty style in Genoa.
Garibaldi Street
A visit is certainly also deserved by Via Garibaldi, the so-called “Strada Nuova,” home to the museum route dedicated to ancient art. This street connects three historic residences now owned by the municipality, namely Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco, and Palazzo Doria Tursi. Together with Via Balbi, Lomellini, and San Luca, Via Garibaldi is the reference point for the fantastic Palazzi dei Rolli, the stunning residences of the Genoese nobility between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The Lantern of Genoa
So far, the entire itinerary for seeing Genoa in a day has taken place in just a few hundred meters, perfect for a day on foot . To round off the day in the best possible way, you could finally head to a destination outside the historic center, namely the Lanterna di Genova , a symbol of the city. This historic tower rises above everything else at 77 meters high , atop a small hill: by climbing 172 steps, you can reach the top of the lighthouse, where you can enjoy a unique and dizzying view of the port of Genoa and the city.
Exploring Genoa’s Downtown on Foot
If you’re looking for things to see in Genoa in a day, you’re probably visiting the capital of Liguria for the first time: you should know, then, that this historic center—as large as it is—is best explored on foot. This is particularly convenient for those who choose to moor their boat at our berths, right in the heart of the Porto Antico: by doing so, you’ll have the town center right at your doorstep, with all of Genoa’s main attractions just a few minutes away.
Alternatively, you can take public transportation —thanks in part to the Genoa metro, which has a stop just a few meters from our marina —to reach more distant destinations, such as Boccadasse.
There’s no doubt about it: our marina in the heart of Genoa is the perfect starting point—and an ideal base—for discovering the town’s most authentic spirit.