Things to Do
Iconic Neighborhoods
- Historic Centre/Caruggi District- This area of Genoa is the most densely populated and one of the largest historical districts in Europe. It is a melting pot of languages and culture due to its port. Full of tiny Medieval alleys (caruggi) and streets, many old Genoese palaces-turned-museums as well as churches and cathedrals are located along the way as Medieval and Baroque styles blend together. Go to the numerous small, 100+ year old shops (botteghe storiche) still serving the same traditional specialties or creating the same local objects.
- Porto Antico- Just downhill from the historic center of Genoa lies the large port district. It got a facelift in 1992 in time to celebrate the 500 year anniversary of Columbus’s discovery of America and has become a lively tourist district full of superior shopping, fine dining, interactive museums, an aquarium and marinas plus the giant Magazzini Del Cotone for numerous musical events.
Hotels
Holiday Inn Genoa City
Address: Via Al Ponte Calvi, 5, 16124 Genova GE, Italy
Phone: +39 010 251 8249
1.0 mile from cruise terminals
Best Western Hotel Porto Antico
Address: Via Al Ponte Calvi, 5, 16124 Genova GE, Italy
Phone: +39 010 251 8249
1.0 mile from cruise terminals
Activities
- Visitors looking to take in a little history and culture can stroll along the Via Garibaldi. Designed during the 16th century, the Strada Nuova, or New Streets, became the wealthy quarter of the city’s aristocracy who built their palaces in Renaissance and Baroque styles. Three of the most famous palaces turned into museums; The Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Tursi house the finest collections of masterpieces in the city. Tour through and see everything from Caravaggio to Rubens, to Van Dyck, ranging from the 16th to the 18th centuries, not to mention the frescoes and luxurious decorations of the palaces themselves.
- Cableways dot the streets of Genoa to transport people up steep hills in funiculars or lifts. Built in the early 20th century in the art nouveau style, take the east lift of Castelletto up to the Spianata Castelletto, up to a walkable balcony for a panoramic view of the city and port below. Relax with a coffee at one of the cafes at the top before heading back down.
Family Friendly
- Famed for its many theaters, the Genoese local municipality has worked with the theaters to come up with a coordinated program to give theatergoers an idea of what is being offered at each, ticket prices, and other information. Enjoy an opera, symphonic performance, a cabaret, or a children’s program at one of the many theaters throughout the city. The Teatro Carlo Felice offers opera and ballet or attend a comedy or drama at the Politeama Genovese.
- Take the kids on an underwater adventure to the Acquario di Genova (Genoa Aquarium) with over 15,000 animals. Wander around the Cetacean Pavilion to watch the four dolphins both above and below water levels. Encounter endangered manatees or see the giant shark tank. Kids can visit the virtual reality installation to learn about animal species and where they live or play the digital learning game for designing virtual fish for a virtual tank.
Sports
Soccer/Football
Genoa C.F.C.
Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris: Via Giovanni de Prà, 16139 Genova GE, Italy
U.C. Sampdoria
Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris: Via Giovanni de Prà, 16139 Genova GE, Italy
Water Polo
Sporting Club Quinto
Pool Sporting Club Fifth 1921: Via Quinto 14 canc., 16166 Genova Genova, Italy