Genoa in 5 days

Italy's grand, gritty port city of medieval alleys, painted palaces and pesto. Best time to visit: April-June and September-October for warm, uncrowded days. Average daily budget: $90 to $160 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Caruggi (Old Town), Europe's largest medieval centre - a dense maze of alleys, shops and trattorias.

Morning: Get lost in the caruggi. Wander the medieval alleys past tiny shops, shrines and bakeries.

Afternoon: Explore Caruggi (Old Town), Europe's largest medieval centre - a dense maze of alleys, shops and trattorias.

Evening: Boccadasse at sunset. Eat gelato by the colourful cove at the city's seaside village.

Eat: Trofie al pesto, the city's signature pasta

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Via Garibaldi, The UNESCO street of opulent Renaissance palaces, now museums and galleries.

Morning: Palazzi dei Rolli. Tour the lavish UNESCO palaces of Via Garibaldi, like Palazzo Rosso and Bianco.

Afternoon: Explore Via Garibaldi, The UNESCO street of opulent Renaissance palaces, now museums and galleries.

Evening: Funicular to Castelletto. Ride up for the classic panorama over Genoa's rooftops and harbour.

Eat: Focaccia genovese and focaccia col formaggio

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Porto Antico, The revitalised old port with the aquarium, Bigo lift and waterfront walks.

Morning: Acquario di Genova. Visit Italy's largest aquarium on the old port waterfront.

Afternoon: Explore Porto Antico, The revitalised old port with the aquarium, Bigo lift and waterfront walks.

Evening: Fresh focaccia col formaggio eaten warm from a back-alley bakery.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Farinata, a baked chickpea flatbread

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Boccadasse, A pastel former fishing village with a pebble cove, now part of the city.

Morning: The view from Spianata Castelletto, reached by the Art Nouveau lift.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Boccadasse, A pastel former fishing village with a pebble cove, now part of the city.

Evening: A traditional sciamadda serving farinata (chickpea flatbread).. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh Ligurian seafood and anchovies

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Castelletto, A hilltop residential quarter with panoramic terraces over the rooftops and sea.

Morning: The frescoed halls of Palazzo Reale, often blissfully quiet.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Castelletto, A hilltop residential quarter with panoramic terraces over the rooftops and sea.

Evening: Dinner at Trofie al pesto, the city's signature pasta, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Castelletto.

Eat: Trofie al pesto, the city's signature pasta

Hidden gems

Fresh focaccia col formaggio eaten warm from a back-alley bakery.
The view from Spianata Castelletto, reached by the Art Nouveau lift.
A traditional sciamadda serving farinata (chickpea flatbread).
The frescoed halls of Palazzo Reale, often blissfully quiet.

Getting around

Genoa's old town is best explored on foot, but the city sprawls along the coast and up steep hills, so use the metro, buses, funiculars and public lifts to save your legs - they're all part of the integrated transit system. Two main stations, Genova Piazza Principe and Genova Brignole, link the city to the Cinque Terre, Portofino (via Santa Margherita) and the rest of Italy. Driving in the centre is discouraged.

Safety

Genoa is generally safe, but as a big port city some areas around the old town and the station can feel seedy after dark, particularly in the lanes near the waterfront and the Maddalena district. Keep valuables secure against pickpockets in crowded alleys, stick to busier, well-lit streets at night, and trust your instincts in quiet caruggi. Standard city precautions are enough for an enjoyable, hassle-free visit.

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