Porto Antico
The old port
The Porto Antico is where Genova meets its sea. Once a working dock, it was redesigned by Renzo Piano for the 1992 Columbus celebrations and is now a wide waterfront piazza, about a fifteen-minute walk from the apartment.
Itâs home to the Aquarium, the Biosfera (the glass sphere full of tropical plants) and the Bigo panoramic lift. Thereâs also the Galeone Neptune, a pirate ship you can board, and plenty of room to wander along the quays.
Itâs lovely in any season: outdoor events and open-air cinema in summer, an ice rink in winter. Even just for a sunset walk, with the boats and the smell of the sea, itâs worth the stroll down.
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Acquario di Genova
Aquarium · Porto Antico
One of Europeâs largest aquariums, on the Old Port.
Porto Antico
The old port
The cityâs waterfront heart, designed by Renzo Piano.
Via Garibaldi
The Rolli palaces · UNESCO
Genovaâs most elegant street â a UNESCO site.
The Caruggi
I Caruggi
Medieval alleyways. Get lost on purpose. That's the point.
Palazzo Ducale
Major exhibitions, an incredible bookshop, and coffee in the courtyard.
Boccadasse
A fishing village hiding inside the city. Gelato at sunset.
Spianata Castelletto
The neighbourhood belvedere
Castellettoâs panoramic terrace, a short walk up.
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
The striped cathedral
Genovaâs black-and-white striped cathedral, in the caruggi.
Galata Museo del Mare
Maritime museum + submarine
The Mediterraneanâs largest maritime museum, with a submarine.
Porta Soprana & Casa di Colombo
The medieval gate & Columbusâs house
A city gate from 1155 and Columbusâs boyhood house.