Genoa: Culture, Harbor and Green Routes

Culture and history in Genoa

The Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno is an open-air museum. Admission is free; check the current access conditions before your arrival. The Castello D’Albertis Museo delle Culture del Mondo offers a different kind of museum visit: the museum is housed in a neo-Gothic castle that is also a museum-residence. On display are ethnographic and archaeological materials collected by Captain D’Albertis across five continents.

In the historic center, the UNESCO site comprises 42 Palazzi dei Rolli. The Musei di Strada Nuova form a museum route through more than 75 rooms dedicated to Renaissance and Baroque art. Palazzo Rosso presents 17th-century art through the collections and historic interiors of the Brignole-Sale family. Together, these places offer different ways to explore Genoa’s art history, from a series of museum rooms to a single palace with its collections and interiors.

The Acquario di Genova offers another way to shape your visit around a particular theme: it covers 27,000 square meters and displays around 11,000 animals from 450 different species. Its 40 large tanks faithfully recreate underwater habitats. At Porto Antico, redeveloped by Renzo Piano in 1992 for the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, you can experience a tourist hub of the city today. There you can enjoy an aperitif, dine, shop, watch a film, ice-skate or swim.

Gardens, green spaces and routes

The park of Villa Durazzo Pallavicini is designed as an experiential route through a romantically inspired garden. Its design tells a story in three acts and twelve scenes. Two lakes, small waterfalls, streams and fountains are part of the park, along with garden structures in neoclassical, neo-Gothic, rustic, Chinese-inspired and exotic styles. Visitors interested in garden design will find several different forms and styles within a single site.

The Parchi di Nervi comprise several gardens and form a large green space. Today, they are home to art museums dedicated to modern and contemporary art, as well as major cultural and professional events. Their green paths lead to the rocky coast of Capolungo, where views open onto the Golfo Paradiso and the Portofino promontory. Another historic green landscape is Parco delle Mura: alongside the 17th-century city walls, it includes 16 military forts built between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Since 2008, the park has protected 617 hectares of green hills.

Routes also connect different sides of the city. The historic aqueduct forms a walking route through woods and along paths to Porto Antico. It crosses the monumental cemetery of Staglieno and includes a hidden underground section within the city. Genoa’s cycling and trekking routes also include the Voltri–Crevari–Passo della Gava–Monte Reixa route.

A walk of about 800 meters leads to the rocky promontory with the Lanterna lighthouse. The fortifications house a multimedia museum; the first viewing terrace is accessible on foot. Check the current opening conditions before your visit.

Getting there and choosing a hotel

Cristoforo Colombo Airport serves Genoa, is located in Sestri Ponente and is connected to the center by public transport. The port facilities connect Genoa with the main ports of the Mediterranean. Railway lines serve the city from east to west; by car, the four motorways A12, A10, A26 and A7 lead to Genoa. Check specific connections and timetables before traveling. To compare hotels, you can first decide which visits matter most to you, then compare hotel addresses with the routes you plan to take.

Discover more destinations: Rossiglione, Bracco, Camogli, Casarza Ligure, Chiàvari, Moneglia, Genoa, Lavagna, Rapallo, Recco, Santa Margherita Ligure, Sestri Levante, Comeglio, Tessi, San Colombano, Ruta, Portofino, Nervi, Borzonasca, Arenzano, Savignone, Pegli, Sestri Ponente, Moconesi, Sant'olcese, Pieve Ligure, Serra Riccò, Leivi, Sori, Castiglione Chiavarese, Tiglieto, Valbrevenna, Cogoleto, Zoagli, Vobbia, Sella, Bargone, Bogliasco, Uscio, Montebruno, Coreglia Ligure, Casella, Casanova, Bargagli, Montoggio, Favale Di Malvaro, Santo Stefano D'aveto, Cicagna, La Costa, Orero, Vescina, Pedemonte, Lorsica, Neirone, Busalla, Ronco Scrivia, Campomorone, Masone, Carasco, Torrazza, Roverazza, Mignanego, Gaiazza, Velva, Campo Ligure, Ne, Stibiveri, Statale, Mele, Gorreto, Mortola, Sanguineto, San Salvatore, Casà, San Lorenzo della Costa, Cogorno, Prati, Nascio, Fascia, Rezzoaglio, Prato, Bricco, Isola del Cantone, Testana, Teriasca.

For the regional travel overview: Liguria.