Genoa Travel Guide: 2–3 Days, Old Town, Best Day Trips and Where to Stay

Q: How many days do you need in Genoa?

2–3 days is ideal: two days for the city, three if you want one day trip (Portofino or Camogli).

Genoa is Italy’s most authentic port city—a place where history, food, and real neighborhoods collide without the tourist polish of Venice or Florence.
Home to incredible pesto, narrow caruggi alleyways, and a vibrant waterfront, Genoa rewards travelers who want genuine Italy with excellent logistics for exploring the Ligurian Riviera.
This Genoa travel guide cuts through the hype and focuses on smart planning: where to stay (waterfront vs Old Town edges vs station areas), how to navigate the vertical city with elevators and funiculars,
whether the Aquarium is worth booking, and how to plan an easy day trip to Portofino or Camogli. This guide is updated regularly with planning tips, costs, and transport advice.

Built for: History lovers, food enthusiasts, and travelers looking for an authentic Italian city with easy access to coastal day trips and genuine local culture.

Genoa at a Glance (Fast Planning Snapshot)

Ideal stay length: 2–3 days is the sweet spot. Two days covers the Old Town, Porto Antico, and key neighborhoods. Three days adds one Ligurian Riviera day trip.
1 day (Fast): Porto Antico loop + Aquarium + a quick Old Town walk. Rushed but possible if you’re passing through.
2 days (Classic): Day 1: Porto Antico + Aquarium + Old Town + Via Garibaldi. Day 2: Boccadasse + Castelletto views + a pesto food anchor.
3 days (Ligurian Riviera): Add one day trip: Portofino (more famous) or Camogli (simpler, more local). Or stay in Genoa and slow down.
Best areas to stay: Porto Antico/waterfront (walkability + families), Old Town edges (areas just outside the tightest caruggi), Carignano/Castelletto (views), station areas (logistics/budget).
Must-book (busy dates): Genoa Aquarium tickets—especially weekends and peak season.
Quick anti-trap rule: Walk 5–10 minutes off the waterfront. Prices spike right next to Porto Antico and the most obvious tourist corridors.

1. Do This First (Before You Arrive)

Genoa works best when you lock a few decisions early:

Define 2 vs 3 days (pace): 2 days = Old Town + Porto Antico + neighborhoods. 3 days = slower pace or one Riviera day trip.
Choose your base (only one): waterfront vs Old Town edges vs station areas. Your neighborhood choice shapes your whole Genoa rhythm.
If the Aquarium is a priority: reserve tickets: weekends/peak dates can sell out—timed entry protects your Day 1 timing.
Decide if a museum card helps: it’s usually worth it only if you’ll enter several paid sites in a tight 24–48 hour window.
Plan one loop per day: Genoa is vertical—avoid zig-zag routing across hills and neighborhoods.
Save 2 “vertical hacks” you’ll actually use: public elevators/lifts and a funicular can turn a long climb into a 2-minute hop.
Choose one day trip max: Portofino or Camogli. Don’t stack both in one day.

2. Where to Stay in Genoa (Best Areas + Trade-Offs)

Hotel bedroom view over Genoa’s rooftops and harbor, used in a Genoa Travel Guide to illustrate where to stay in the city

Genoa is a city of hills and pockets—so location matters more than in smaller, flatter destinations. Think evening vibe vs logistics.

Porto Antico / Waterfront

Best for first-timers, families, and easy access to the Aquarium and harbor promenade. Trade-off: some stretches feel more tourist-forward and pricier.

Old Town edges (areas just outside the tightest caruggi)

Best if you want Old Town atmosphere without sleeping deep inside the labyrinth. Trade-off: fewer “postcard” waterfront moments right outside your door.

Carignano / Castelletto

Best for views and a local vibe. Trade-off: you’ll rely on the vertical hacks more often (and do more up/down).

Station areas (Brignole / rail hubs)

Best for logistics and budget. Trade-off: less atmosphere at night and more “commuting” into the most charming areas.

3. Genoa Travel Guide Itinerary: 2 Days (The Authentic Route)

This plan gives you the waterfront, the Old Town caruggi, the Rolli palaces street, and two “Genoa feels like Genoa” neighborhoods.

Day 1: Porto Antico + Aquarium + Old Town + Rolli

Morning: Porto Antico waterfront loop (easy start, good light).

Midday: Genoa Aquarium (use your timed entry). Plan 2–3 hours.

Afternoon: Old Town caruggi wander time (stick to main routes if you don’t like maze navigation).

Late afternoon: Via Garibaldi + Palazzi dei Rolli street (the “elegant Genoa” contrast).

Evening: Dinner 5–10 minutes off the waterfront (better value, better rooms).

Day 2: Boccadasse + Castelletto views + pesto

Morning: Boccadasse (fisherman-village vibe inside the city).

Midday: Your pesto food anchor lunch (choose one good place; don’t try to “collect” ten).

Afternoon: Spianata Castelletto viewpoint (use a public elevator/lift to save uphill effort).

Evening: Slow Old Town stroll or a final waterfront loop at dusk.

4. Genoa Travel Guide Itinerary: 3 Days (The Ligurian Riviera)

Day 3 is your Riviera reset day. Choose one option and keep it friction-light.

Option A: Deeper Genoa (low friction)

More museums, cafés, and neighborhoods—perfect if you want the city to feel lived-in, not rushed.

Option B: Portofino day trip (iconic)

Train to Santa Margherita Ligure, then boat or bus to Portofino (season-dependent). Beautiful, but more crowded.

Option C: Camogli day trip (simpler + more local)

Direct train to Camogli. Easy, charming, lower-friction than Portofino for many travelers.

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5. Genoa vs Cinque Terre: Which One Should You Choose?

They’re both Liguria, but they’re not the same trip.

Choose Genoa if…

You want an authentic city with museums, food, real neighborhoods, and easy rail-based day trips.

Choose Cinque Terre if…

You want coastal villages, hiking, and scenery-first days (and you’re okay with heavier crowds and higher prices).

Tripstou rule: Want a city base with day trips? Choose Genoa. Want village-hopping + trails? Choose Cinque Terre. If you have time for both, they pair well by train.

6. Old Town Safety: What You Actually Need to Know

Genoa’s Old Town is a maze of narrow caruggi. It’s one of the most atmospheric parts of the city—and the #1 place people worry about.
The reality is simple: awareness matters more than fear.

Do: stick to main routes at night, keep valuables secure, stay on the edges if you’re anxious

Don’t: empty alleys late, flashing valuables, deep-labyrinth routes after midnight

Daytime exploration is generally fine; nighttime is where route choice matters.

7. Getting Around: The Vertical City Hacks

People using a public elevator and funicular in Genoa, shown in a Genoa Travel Guide to explain how to get around the city’s steep neighborhoods

Genoa is built into hills—so the “secret” is not grinding uphill. It’s using the city’s vertical shortcuts like a local.

Public elevators/lifts: great for quick jumps from the center up to viewpoint neighborhoods (Castelletto is the classic example).
A funicular: useful when you want a scenic climb without the effort—especially if your day includes hill neighborhoods.

How to structure your day: start low (waterfront/Old Town), walk horizontally, then do one vertical hop to a view or hill neighborhood.

8. Genoa Aquarium Tickets: Worth It + Best Time Slots

The Aquarium is one of Europe’s top aquariums. Whether it’s right for you depends on intent.

Worth it if: families / rain / you actually like aquariums.

Skip if: you’re here mainly for lanes + food + views.

Do I need to book in advance?

On weekends and peak dates, yes—timed entry can sell out. Booking protects your schedule.

Best time slots

9–10 AM or 4–5 PM are usually calmer. Midday is the busiest window.

How much time do you need?

2–3 hours is the realistic baseline.

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9. Food in Genoa (Best Pesto + How to Eat Well)

Genoa is pesto’s home—and the city eats best when you keep meals simple and intentional.

The pesto food anchor

Plan one pesto food anchor meal: a place where you’ll have authentic Genovese pesto (basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil—no tomato).
One excellent meal beats five average ones.

Front-row pricing rule

Restaurants right on Porto Antico often charge more for less. Walk 5–10 minutes inland for better value and more local rooms.

10. Costs in Genoa (Quick Reality Check)

Budget reality ranges

Budget (€60–€100/day): simple stays, casual meals, selective paid sights.

Mid-range (€100–€180/day): 3-star hotels, the Aquarium, sit-down dinners.

Comfort (€180+/day): boutique stays, nicer dinners, more paid attractions/tours.

Main cost drivers: hotel location, Aquarium tickets, and how often you do sit-down meals (waterfront pricing can spike).

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11. Frequently Asked Questions

Is Genoa worth visiting?

Yes—Genoa is worth it for authenticity, food (especially pesto), historic port atmosphere, and as a practical base for the Ligurian Riviera.

How many days do you need in Genoa?

2–3 days is ideal: two days for the city, three if you want one day trip (Portofino or Camogli).

Is the Genoa Aquarium worth it? Do I need tickets?

Worth it for families, rain, or aquarium-lovers. For weekends/peak season, book timed entry to avoid sell-outs and long queues.

Is Genoa safe for tourists, especially the Old Town?

Generally yes—with normal city awareness. Daytime exploring is fine; at night, stick to main routes and avoid empty alleys late.

Can you visit Portofino from Genoa in one day?

Yes—train to Santa Margherita Ligure, then boat/bus to Portofino (season-dependent). Camogli is even simpler by direct train.