What to see in Genoa in one day: Ligurian views, flavours and dreams

Imagine Genoa as a gift package to be unwrapped slowly, a city with infinite facets and a thousand faces that reveals itself slowly, step by step and glimpse after glimpse: every alley hides a story, every building holds an echo of ancient glories and the gaze opens onto an unexpected horizon between the sea and the mountains.

Don't be fooled by appearances: if at first glance it might seem cold, distant, almost inaccessible, it is only a mask. It doesn't take much to grasp its warmth: a scent coming from a fry shop, a craftsman at work behind a dusty shop window, a group of kids laughing in the square. It is then that Genoa reveals itself, and it does so with the elegance of those who don't need to exaggerate.

If you only have one day to get to know it, let yourself be guided through its most characteristic corners and timeless wonders.

Piazza De Ferrari, the beating heart of the city

This is where Genoa shows off its energy. Piazza De Ferrari is the stage for major city events, where life flows under the monumental gush of the bronze fountain.

All around, overlook the Carlo Felice Theatre, the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts, the Palazzo Ducale which hosts exhibitions, the Palazzo della Regione and the imposing Palazzo della Nuova Borsa , an extraordinary example of Genoese Liberty style.

Porta Soprana and the house of Christopher Columbus

Continuing the journey through the wonders of the center of Genoa in one day, you cannot miss one of the most representative testimonies of the medieval city: the suggestive Porta Soprana that stands out like a sentinel of Time. Its two twin stone towers , robust and austere, are what remains of the ancient city walls, dating back to the 9th-10th century. Crossing the arch is like crossing the threshold of a distant era, when Genoa was surrounded by mighty fortifications to defend itself from attacks from the sea and the hinterland.

But it doesn't end there. Just below Porta Soprana, right where the gentle climb that leads to the arch begins, lies another stop full of legend and charm: the house of Christopher Columbus , a small stone dwelling rebuilt in the eighteenth century on the ruins of the original that was destroyed, today a house-museum dedicated to the discoverer of the New World.

According to tradition, the young Columbus lived within these walls during his childhood. Walking through its rooms, looking out of the small windows, observing the objects and documents on display, means trying to imagine the dreams, ambitions and visions that inhabited the mind of one of the most famous navigators in history.

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo, faith, art and mystery

Just a few steps away you find yourself in front of the two-tone façade of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo , the most important church in the Ligurian capital . Its beauty is austere and magnetic, accentuated by the two marble lions that seem to silently watch over the city.

Built starting in 1098 on a previous early Christian building, the cathedral houses treasures that make it a true treasure chest of art and spirituality. Inside, the Chapel of San Giovanni Battista houses the ashes of the patron saint, while the Museo del Tesoro and the Museo Diocesano offer a marvelous look at frescoes, illuminated manuscripts and precious artefacts.

The historic center, the authentic soul between alleys and shops

Genoa cannot be truly understood in one day if you do not delve into its historic center , one of the largest and most fascinating in Europe. A maze of alleys, the famous caruggi , where the past and present find themselves in harmony: chocolate shops from another era coexist with small artisan tailors, ancient grocery stores sell spices with an inebriating scent and the fry shops enliven the air with irresistible aromas.

Walking in this area of ​​the city is, without a doubt, a sensory experience .

Via Garibaldi and the Palazzi dei Rolli, elegance and power

Between the Cathedral and the historic center, a passage opens up in the medieval fabric of the city: Via Garibaldi , formerly Strada Nuova , overlooked by the sumptuous Palazzi dei Rolli (Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Doria Tursi), once the homes of the most influential families of the Republic of Genoa. These were the buildings chosen, by drawing lots, to welcome illustrious guests on official visits.

Today they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but even more so they are a symbol of Genoese power and taste. Walking slowly, the eye gets lost among decorations, stuccos and courtyards that tell of times when Genoa was master of the sea and lady of the arts.

Sottoripa, the popular face of the port

Going down towards the sea, you will come across the Portici di Sottoripa , the long portico which was once a commercial area for shops and merchants, and which still retains a genuine and popular character today.

Here you can breathe the soul of the port: between fishmongers displaying the catch of the day, small fry shops where you can taste mixed fried food and farinata, and little shops selling spices, olives and preserves, Genoa shows itself for what it is, alive, genuine, overwhelming.

The Porto Antico, where the sea meets culture

Renovated by Renzo Piano in the 1990s, the Porto Antico has become one of the symbols of contemporary Genoa, the waterfront to be experienced, with piers, squares, exhibitions and attractions.

This is where the famous Genoa Aquarium stands out, the largest in Europe, with 71 tanks that house sharks, dolphins, jellyfish, penguins and thousands of marine creatures. Not far away, the Biosfera resembles a drop suspended on the water, while the Bigo (the panoramic elevator that recalls the ancient port cranes) offers an unforgettable view of the port and the roofs of the historic center. The Galata Museo del Mare , the Nazario Sauro submarine and the reproduction of the Neptune galleon complete an exciting journey dedicated to Genoa's seafaring vocation.

The Lantern, symbol of the “Dominant of the seas”

Majestic and solitary, the Lanterna of Genoa has stood sentinel for centuries, a silent witness to its glorious seafaring past, the very soul of the “Superba”, the undisputed symbol of the commercial and naval power of the Maritime Republic that dominated the seas.

At 77 meters high, it is the tallest lighthouse in the Mediterranean , and still today it guides ships towards the port, and projects its light far away, on the sea and on memory. Built in 1543 and rebuilt on an even older structure, the Lanterna stands on a rocky spur that can be reached on foot thanks to a suggestive pedestrian walk, starting from the Ferry Terminal parking lot.

Once you arrive, you have the opportunity not only to climb the 172 steps (a challenge rewarded by an enchanting view) but also to discover the history of the city through the installations of the Multimedia Museum of the Lanterna , housed inside.

Boccadasse, poetry by the sea

And finally, a visit to Boccadasse is almost a must. An ancient seaside village, nestled in the folds of the city, it resembles a painting: the pastel-colored houses are reflected in the water, the boats sway placidly on the shore, the seagulls circle in the sky.

You walk along the beach, you enjoy an ice cream in the little square, you sit on the wall to look at the sea and listen to Genoa tell its poetry.