A day in Genoa.
Genoa is gritty, vertical, and underrated, birthplace of pesto, focaccia, and an entire architectural style. The historic center is one of Europe's largest medieval districts, narrow caruggi lanes climbing up the hills from the harbor.
Hour by hour.
A suggested order, feel free to swap, skip, or take it in reverse.
09:30 · Start at Strada Nuova (UNESCO Palaces)
Begin your day at Strada Nuova (UNESCO Palaces). Arrive early to avoid crowds and see it in the morning light.
11:00 · Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
Walk to Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, one of the city's defining landmarks. Take your time, this is the kind of place you can't rush.
13:00 · Lunch at Vecchia Genova (Focaccia)
Long lunch at Vecchia Genova (Focaccia). Locals eat late, by 1:30pm you'll be at the heart of the lunch service.
15:00 · Acquario di Genova
Walk off lunch with a visit to Acquario di Genova. Allow at least an hour.
16:30 · Boccadasse
Continue to Boccadasse. By now the harsh midday sun has softened, best time for photos.
18:30 · Drinks at Trattoria delle Grazie
Aperitivo or evening drink at Trattoria delle Grazie. Soak in the local rhythm.
20:30 · Dinner
Pick a restaurant from the food list below, the city's best are within a 15-minute walk from where you're staying. Book ahead during peak season.
Picks for the day.
The food stops on the route, plus a couple of alternatives if your timing doesn't match.
Vecchia Genova (Focaccia)
Address: Piazza delle Erbe, 2
Trattoria delle Grazie
Address: Via delle Grazie, 48
What to see along the way.
Strada Nuova (UNESCO Palaces)
Address: Via Garibaldi
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
Address: Piazza San Lorenzo
Acquario di Genova
Address: Ponte Spinola
Boccadasse
Address: Boccadasse
Palazzo Ducale
Address: Piazza Matteotti, 9
Tips before you go.
- Most restaurants close between lunch (around 3pm) and dinner (around 7:30pm). Plan around it.
- Cash is still useful in smaller places, though cards are increasingly accepted everywhere.
- Walk where you can, the best parts of any old European city aren't accessible by car.
- Museums sell timed-entry tickets online and they save real time, especially in peak season.
- Locals eat dinner late by American or British standards. Don't show up at 6:30pm expecting service.
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