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Things to do in Genoa

12 places · 16 h of sightseeing · 3 days

José Martí, Genoa

How many days do you need in Genoa?

12 places add up to 16 h of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 3 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 5 h 45 min

2 days — 11 h 15 min

3 days — 16 h

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

  1. José Martí — 15 min visit. It commemorates the figure of the Cuban national hero José Martí, offering a different historical perspective than local landmarks.
  2. Palazzo Rosso — 1 h 30 min visit. A 17th-century palace of the Brignole Sale family, it now functions as an art museum featuring works by Van Dyck and Veronese.
  3. Lanterna di Genova — 1 h visit. It offers panoramic views of the port and sea from a historic structure, unlike the modern Bigo elevator. Hours: Fri–Sun 10:00–18:00.
  4. Cattedrale di San Lorenzo — 1 h visit. The city's main church, built since the 12th century, features a distinctive black and white marble facade and the relic of the Sacro Catino. Hours: Mon–Sun 08:00–12:00,15:00–19:00.
  5. Doge's Palace of Genoa — 2 h visit. It was the former seat of the Doges of the Republic of Genoa, which cannot be found in Palazzo Rosso or other buildings.
  6. Acquario di Genova — 3 h visit. One of Europe's largest aquariums, opened in 1992 for Expo '92, with a focus on ecological education. Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 · Sat–Sun 09:00–20:00.
  7. Teatro Carlo Felice — 1 h visit. Opened in 1828, it is the main opera house in Genoa, with a neoclassical facade that survived World War II.
  8. Piazza Raffaele De Ferrari — 30 min visit. Genoa's main square, with a monumental fountain built in 1936, serving as its central point.
  9. Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno — 2 h visit. Unlike traditional galleries, this is a cemetery that serves as an open art space with monumental sculptures and tombs.
  10. Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta di Carignano — 1 h visit. Its dominant position on the hill allows for admiring a vast panorama of the city from the dome, unlike views from towers.
  11. Palazzo Bianco — 1 h 15 min visit. It currently functions as an art gallery, presenting a collection of paintings, including works by Rubens, Van Dyck, and Veronese.
  12. Museo Palazzo Reale di Genova — 1 h 30 min visit. It was a 17th-century residence belonging to the House of Savoy, preserving its original furnishings and a mirrored gallery.
  13. Arco della Vittoria — 20 min visit. In contrast to medieval gates, this is a monumental triumphal arch commemorating those who fell in World War I.
  14. Palazzo San Giorgio — 30 min visit. It is characterized by beautifully painted facades, and in the past housed one of the world's oldest banks.
  15. Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato — 50 min visit. The construction of its facade was completed in the 19th century, which distinguishes it from the older Basilica Santa Maria delle Vigne.
  16. Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria — 2 h visit. It presents the diversity of the natural world and scientific evolution, instead of focusing on one specific machine, like a submarine. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 · Mon closed.
  17. Basilica Santa Maria delle Vigne — 45 min visit. Its history dates back to the 10th century, and it was expanded into a basilica in the 12th century, making it one of the oldest.
  18. Bigo — 35 min visit. A panoramic lift designed by Renzo Piano, offering a 360-degree view from a height of 40 meters, imitating old port cranes.
  19. Chiesa di San Donato — 40 min visit. This Romanesque building from the 11th century stands out with its octagonal bell tower and a valuable triptych by Joos van Cleve.
  20. Porta Soprana — 30 min visit. This well-preserved medieval city gate from the 12th century features two cylindrical towers and an arched passage.
  21. Villa del Principe — 1 h 30 min visit. Unlike city palaces, this is a villa with extensive gardens, formerly the residence of Admiral Andrea Doria. Hours: Fri–Wed 10:00–17:00 · Sep–Mar closed.
  22. Basilica of San Siro — 40 min visit. Unlike other temples, its interior hides rare testimonies of early Christianity, showcasing the city's long history.
  23. Chiesa di Nostra Signora della Consolazione — 30 min visit. Unlike other temples, a quick, half-hour visit allows you to admire its rich decorations and Baroque altars.
  24. Chiesa di Sant'Agostino — 45 min visit. A former Augustinian church from the 13th century, it stands out with its impressive cloister, one of the few in Genoa.

Where to eat

What to see in Genoa in one day?

José Martí, Palazzo Rosso, Lanterna di Genova, Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, Doge's Palace of Genoa.

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