Summer is not really over yet: the sea retains the warmth of the previous months, the days are still glorious and outdoor life continues; but there is no longer necessarily the intense summer heat that, particularly in July and August, can make the middle of the day rather less enjoyable.

At the same time, something else happens, something perhaps even more important for anyone wishing to discover Genoa beyond its purely tourist dimension: the city comes back to life.

In Italy, August is traditionally the month for holidays and cities tend to empty out; Genoa is naturally something of an exception because it is a seaside city and remains very much alive throughout the summer, but even here the rhythm changes, many activities slow down, some Genoese leave for their holidays and a little of the everyday bustle that characterises the city during the rest of the year inevitably disappears.

In September, all this returns very quickly: businesses resume their normal pace, schools and universities start again, theatres and cultural venues reopen, associations, initiatives and events get under way once more; above all, the streets fill again with the people who live, study and work in Genoa.

The beauty of it is that, meanwhile, the sea is still there and remains an integral part of the day. From Corso Italia to Boccadasse and then eastwards through Sturla, Quarto and Quinto as far as Nervi, September still allows you to enjoy Genoa fully as a seaside city: going to the beach, swimming, having lunch overlooking the sea, walking along the coast or simply stopping for a while to look at it.

Everything that makes Genoa even more enjoyable during the summer remains possible, but without necessarily having to contend with the peaks of heat of the previous months; October, too, retains an extraordinarily close relationship with the sea: in particularly mild years, many Genoese continue swimming well into November...

This is one of Genoa’s peculiarities and perhaps one of those things you only really understand by living here: the sea and the city are not two separate experiences between which you have to choose, but naturally belong to the same day. You can spend the morning wandering through the carruggi, have lunch in the city centre and, a few hours later, find yourself by the sea in Nervi; or do exactly the opposite, beginning the day on the beach and finding yourself in the afternoon at Palazzo Ducale or enjoying an aperitivo in one of the squares of the historic centre.

It is precisely the historic centre that fully recovers its rhythm in September. From early morning the caruggi are busy again: shops and markets, students and workers, small businesses, cafés and restaurants recreate that constant mixture of people and activities that is one of the city’s most fascinating characteristics.

In the evening, everything changes again: lights come on in the little squares, tables fill up, bars and restaurants become lively and the aperitivo once again belongs above all to the Genoese themselves. The same happens around the Porto Antico, San Lorenzo, the Maddalena, Via del Campo, Piazza Lavagna and Piazza delle Erbe; this is not a city putting on a performance for its visitors, it is simply Genoa living its own life again, giving those who are here for only a few days the chance to become part of it.

September and October are also the months when the cultural season gets properly under way again, adding another interesting dimension: many of the events taking place at this time naturally attract visitors from elsewhere, but they are not occasions created solely for tourists; they are events that the Genoese know, look forward to and attend and which, in some cases, end up changing the rhythm of the city itself for a few days.

In September, for example, the Festival Musicale del Mediterraneo continues, an event that for many years has brought music, artists and cultures from different parts of the world to Genoa; then, at the beginning of October, comes the International Boat Show, one of the great events on the international yachting calendar but, for Genoa, something more than simply an exhibition. During those days, the city’s relationship with the sea, its port, its shipbuilding tradition and its maritime history becomes even more apparent, while the Boat Show spills beyond its own boundaries and makes its presence felt in hotels, restaurants, streets and bars throughout the city.

October also brings Ottobre Paganini, naturally dedicated to Genoa’s most celebrated musician, with concerts, conferences, talks, masterclasses and events that are not confined to the city’s major cultural institutions but extend into its squares, neighbourhoods and other public spaces; then comes Book Pride, Italy’s national independent publishing fair, and above all the return of the Rolli Days, one of the events that best illustrates the particular relationship the Genoese have with their own history.

For a few days, many of the city’s extraordinary aristocratic palaces open their doors: these are the residences that, during the time of the Republic of Genoa, were included in the so-called Rolli degli alloggiamenti pubblici and, according to their rank, were designated to accommodate princes, ambassadors and dignitaries on official visits. Today, the system of the Strade Nuove and the Palazzi dei Rolli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, during the Rolli Days, buildings that are normally closed to visitors, or only partially accessible, open once again.

Visitors naturally come from elsewhere, but a walk along Via Garibaldi and the surrounding streets is enough to notice that many of the people queuing are Genoese: it is one of those occasions when the city itself periodically rediscovers places that belong to its own history and which, paradoxically, even those who live here do not always truly know.

Towards the end of October, the Festival della Scienza finally arrives and, for several days, Genoa changes once again: museums, palaces, theatres, universities and other venues throughout the city host conferences, workshops, exhibitions, performances and talks; students, researchers, families and simply curious people move from one place to another and the festival, rather than remaining confined within a single exhibition space, physically enters the city and becomes part of its everyday life.

Perhaps it is precisely this overlapping of different experiences that makes September and October so special: summer has not entirely disappeared and the sea is still there, fully accessible and very much present in the life of the city; at the same time Genoa has regained its normal rhythm, the carruggi are busy once again, bars and restaurants are lively, theatres reopen and exhibitions, concerts and major cultural events return.

That is precisely the charm of September and October in Genoa: there is no need to choose between a seaside holiday and a few days in a great Italian city, between the beach and culture, between being a tourist and experiencing everyday life; everything coexists naturally in an extraordinarily unique city that becomes fully itself again.

We were wrong.

From our very first year of activity, we began receiving bookings well in advance for the very heart of the summer season. These were not simply short city breaks lasting a couple of days, but often holidays of one or even two weeks. At first this surprised us, prompting us to look at Genoa through the eyes of our guests and ask ourselves what attracted them to a city that, in the popular imagination at least, is not usually regarded as a classic summer destination.

The answer is actually quite straightforward. Genoa is a maritime city, and the sea profoundly influences its climate. Although naturally warm during July and August, it benefits from the constant presence of the Mediterranean, which generally keeps temperatures milder than those experienced in many inland cities. The sea breeze often refreshes the daytime hours and makes the evenings particularly enjoyable, when strolling along the seafront, dining outdoors or simply wandering through the narrow medieval caruggi becomes one of the real pleasures of a holiday.

Added to this is a historical and cultural heritage that few Italian cities can rival. Genoa is one of Europe's oldest historic cities and is home to the largest medieval historic centre in the world, an extraordinary urban treasure filled with noble palaces, churches, museums, historic shops and ancient alleyways that tell almost a thousand years of history.

The Old Port, the UNESCO World Heritage Rolli Palaces, St Lawrence Cathedral, the city's museums and its impressive fortifications offer virtually endless opportunities for exploration; in fact, even a full week is often not enough to appreciate everything the city has to offer.

Summer is also the season when Genoa comes most vividly to life: concerts, open-air performances, markets, cultural festivals, food events, traditional celebrations and evening entertainment follow one another throughout the season, creating an atmosphere that is lively without ever feeling artificial. This authenticity is, in fact, one of the city's greatest strengths.

Those planning a city break often overlook another important aspect: in Genoa, the sea is not merely a backdrop but an integral part of everyday life. After spending the morning visiting museums, historic palaces and the medieval streets, it takes only a few minutes to reach Corso Italia, where numerous beach clubs, public beaches, cafés and restaurants overlook the Ligurian Sea. From there to Boccadasse and further east, there are countless opportunities to relax in the sun, enjoy a swim or simply savour an aperitif while looking out across the Mediterranean.

Genoa's geographical position is another of its great advantages. Within less than an hour you can reach Camogli, Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, the Cinque Terre or the beautiful Ligurian hinterland, enjoying a completely different experience each day without changing accommodation (La Garaventa is just a short walk from Genova Brignole railway station, making these excursions particularly easy and convenient).

Many of our guests choose exactly this approach, using Genoa as their base for exploring the whole of the Eastern Riviera before returning each evening to enjoy a city full of restaurants, cafés, events and evening walks.

Perhaps this is what impresses visitors most. Genoa is not a city built around tourism; it is a genuine place, lived in every day by its residents, preserving a strong identity, authentic traditions and a character that gradually reveals itself to those willing to take their time. It does not seek to impress with spectacle, yet it almost always wins over those who choose to discover it at a leisurely pace.

If your ideal holiday consists solely of days on the beach, there are certainly destinations better suited to that purpose. If, however, you are looking for a place where you can combine the sea, history, culture, gastronomy, events, leisurely walks and vibrant city life, all within an authentic and fascinating setting, then July and August are probably the very best months to discover Genoa.

And this is precisely what our guests have taught us. Very often, it is through their choices that we rediscover the true value and beauty of the city we are fortunate enough to call home.

In Italy we know it well: August is not simply a holiday month, it is the month when the whole country changes rhythm. Not everywhere in the same way, but enough for it to become a recognisable phenomenon — and Genoa is no exception...

When organising a stay in Genoa, the gesture is almost automatic: you open an online platform, compare prices, scroll through reviews and click “book”.
It is simple, quick and efficient. But it is also an impersonal, standardised process, identical in any city in the world. Genoa deserves more — and here is why.

Booking directly in Genoa is a different experience and is often decidedly more convenient, not only from a financial point of view.
Those who choose a direct booking do not deal with an algorithm or a call centre; they speak to someone who truly knows the apartment, who lives the city and its narrow streets every day, who can tell you whether a lane is quiet in the evening, how the morning light filters through the windows, which season best enhances the city, and whether an area is more suitable for a long stay or for a weekend break.

These — and many other — details are things no platform can genuinely convey. They are insights born of daily, real experience in a city that, take note, still resists the temptations of mass tourism.

Those who come to discover Genoa come to encounter an ancient truth. Yet Genoa does not reveal itself to just anyone; it must be introduced properly, because as a medieval port city it has long known how to preserve itself from invasion.

There is also a practical aspect that is often underestimated: major platforms apply commissions that inevitably affect the final price.
Booking a holiday apartment in central Genoa directly often means clearer conditions, no hidden charges, transparent communication and greater flexibility and assistance throughout your stay. It is not merely a matter of saving money; it is about establishing a direct and fair relationship between guest and host.

The difference is particularly noticeable in terms of flexibility.

Direct contact allows you to arrange in advance late arrivals, specific requests, longer stays and much more. It also enables you to receive tailored recommendations ahead of time — authentic restaurants (so you can book in advance), neighbourhoods worth exploring, and the moments of the day when the lanes of Genoa’s historic centre reveal their truest atmosphere.
Platforms standardise; direct relationships personalise.

And Genoa is not a city for rushed tourism. It cannot be reduced to the Old Port, the carruggi, or a checklist of attractions.
It is a city to be understood by living it — walking without haste, observing the changing light, planning visits carefully while leaving space for unplanned wanderings.

There is also a less visible yet decisive element: when you choose to book directly, your stay in Genoa does not begin at check-in. It begins the moment you write to ask for information, when you receive a personal reply, when you sense attentiveness and availability.
That is where the quality of the experience changes — when a relationship is created even before arrival, making the stay more relaxed and more authentic. A relationship that often continues beyond your time in the city.

If you are considering where to stay in Genoa, especially in the city centre, take a few extra minutes before clicking on a platform and consider booking your holiday apartment in Genoa directly. It is not merely a practical choice.

In Genoa, spring does not arrive all at once: it seeps in gently, but earlier than elsewhere. It’s a feeling that is immediately familiar to those who know the city, and pleasantly surprising for those discovering it for the first time.

Already between the end of winter and early March, the air begins to change. The days grow longer, the sea reflects a warmer light, and the narrow streets of the historic centre seem to breathe again. It is as if Genoa, sheltered by its natural arc and open to the sea, anticipates the awakening of the season, offering weeks of advantage to those who know how to notice it.

This early arrival makes spring one of the best times to experience the city. Summer’s pressure has not yet arrived, yet everything is already in place to walk freely, sit outdoors, and watch everyday life slowly regain its rhythm — and then comes the simple joy of living outside.

In spring, Genoa is a city that opens itself up: less crowded, more authentic, closer to its true nature. It is no coincidence that this is also the time when events historically linked to the city’s renewal return.

From 2026, for example, the Nuova Fiera Primavera is set to make its comeback, reviving a tradition deeply rooted in Genoese life. In the past, this fair has always symbolically marked the beginning of the fine season, and today it returns in a renewed form, closely connected to the waterfront and the sea-facing spaces. Beyond individual editions, what truly matters is the signal it sends: spring in Genoa is a moment when the city begins to show itself again, to gather, to inhabit its open spaces.

Even more closely tied to spring is Euroflora, the great international exhibition dedicated to flowers and landscape design. It does not take place every year, but when it does, it transforms Genoa into a vast garden overlooking the sea. It is one of those events that alone justifies a journey, as it perfectly expresses the city’s relationship with nature, light, and its mild climate. Simply knowing that Euroflora will return periodically is enough reason to start thinking of the Genoese spring as a season to be planned, not improvised.

Yet spring in Genoa is not only about events: it is, above all, a daily experience — one that is reflected at the table as well. In restaurants and traditional "trattorias", lighter dishes begin to appear, deeply connected to the sea and to seasonal produce. This is the ideal time for small fish — sardines and anchovies — often stuffed, fried, or simply marinated, following a Ligurian tradition that enhances the raw ingredients without weighing them down. Alongside fish, wild herbs return to the spotlight, as do the first green fillings and springtime savoury pies, telling the story of a cuisine that is only apparently simple, yet rich in balance and flavour.

Eating in Genoa in spring means moving in step with the season: dishes that do not ask for haste, measured portions, clean and defined flavours. It is a cuisine that accompanies walking, observing, pausing — exactly like the city itself.

And perhaps this is the real reason why spring is the best time to discover Genoa: because everything aligns. Climate, light, events, food, and urban rhythm. There is no need to rush from one attraction to the next. It is enough to live the city for what it truly is, guided by the rare sensation — today more than ever — of being in a place that does not demand attention, but quietly rewards it.

It is a city that does not reveal itself to those who want to “do everything,” but to those who are willing to return.

The difference is not between those who live here and those who come from elsewhere, but between the tourist and the visitor.

The tourist consumes; the visitor builds a relationship. It is a subtle difference, but a decisive one.

In this sense, Genoa is quite clear: it does not like being ticked off a list. Even a short stay can be lived like a resident would, as long as one lets go of performance anxiety. There is no need to see everything; what matters is starting well: doing less, but with more meaning. Choosing a few areas, walking them properly, retracing the same steps more than once. Getting lost is not a mistake; it is an integral part of the experience. Every street tells multiple eras, every building reveals layered stories, and trying to “understand everything” all at once is the surest way to understand nothing at all.

A good exercise for anyone who wants to shed the role of tourist is this: go out without a rigid plan. Choose a direction rather than a destination. Walk down toward the sea or climb toward the hills, slip into a creuza, follow a stairway that sparks curiosity.

In Genoa, the saying “the journey matters more than the destination” truly applies. Often the real reward is not what you were looking for, but what you did not even know you could discover.

There is one detail that immediately distinguishes a visitor from a tourist: the use of one’s legs. Genoa is vertical—there is no point pretending otherwise. You go up, you go down, you slow down. Genoese do not avoid climbs; they incorporate them into their daily rhythm as something entirely normal. The visitor does the same, without a stopwatch and without the obsession of arrival. The effort is light but constant, and it is always rewarded—if not by an unexpected view, then by a quiet little square or a sudden glimpse of the port. In Genoa, those who run do not win; those who accept the right pace do.

When matters more than where. Living the city like a resident means observing its timing, not just its places. Simple breakfasts at the bar counter, lunches outside “guidebook hours,” walks while the city is actually at work. The visitor watches what Genoese people do; the tourist watches what is signposted. Often, this small shift in perspective is enough to rediscover a Genoa that is real and surprisingly vivid.

The same applies to museums. There is a very local habit worth adopting: giving priority to temporary exhibitions. Permanent museums are always there—solid, reliable, ready to wait. Temporary exhibitions, instead, tell the present moment, what is happening now. Residents follow them knowing that great museums are discovered over time, by returning, perhaps on a rainy day or outside the high season.

To truly live Genoa like a resident, it is worth venturing into places that rarely appear on tourist itineraries but are part of everyday Genoese life. Walking through Castelletto not only for its viewpoints, but through its inner streets, pausing to look at the city from above as someone returning home in the evening would. Heading down toward Carignano and wandering around its basilica—not for a photo, but for the suspended calm that surrounds it. Crossing Sampierdarena without prejudice, discovering a working-class, concrete, vibrant Genoa. Or climbing up toward Righi and Begato, where the city changes perspective and one truly understands how inseparable sea and mountains are here.

Even at the table, a change of mindset is necessary. In Genoa, food is not a show; it is tradition. Small places, simple dishes, repeated, seasonal. No staging, no need to narrate everything. The visitor is not looking for an “experience,” but for something real, something that works, something that has been there for years. When they find it, they know they are in the right place.

And then there is the sea. The tourist goes to see it; the visitor encounters it—between two buildings, at the end of a descent, in a working port, on a forgotten bench somewhere.

The real shift in perspective comes when one stops behaving as if Genoa were a unique, unrepeatable destination not to be missed, and begins to live it as a city to return to. No rush, no frustration, no need to “have seen everything.”

Genoa does not ask to be loved immediately, nor does it return affection instantly. It asks for time, attention, and a minimal willingness to walk uphill. In return, it offers something many cities have lost: the feeling of never being exhausted, of evolving truthfully, and of welcoming you each time as a little less of a guest and a little more at home.

February is one of the least considered months to visit Genoa. And it is precisely for this reason that, in many respects, it is one of the best.

The city has now moved beyond the Christmas period, its rhythm returns to a genuinely urban pace, and Genoa reveals itself for what it truly is: a lively city, yet not crowded; intense, but never chaotic. February is not a “transitional” month — it is a month of balance.

In February, Genoa slows down.
Tourist traffic is minimal, the streets return to the residents, and moving around on foot becomes natural. It is the ideal time for those who want to understand the city, not simply pass through it, but become part of it, absorbing its atmosphere and traditions.

Distances seem shorter, neighbourhoods become easier to read, and even the historic centre — often avoided during peak months — can be enjoyed with greater serenity, especially during the day.

February is often one of the months with the best light of the year.

Days are shorter, but the air is frequently clear, especially after periods of tramontana. Views over the city, the port and the urban arc appear sharper than at other times of the year.

It is an ideal month for those who enjoy walking, observing, pausing at viewpoints and taking in Genoa from above, without haze and without the heat of the months to come.

From a cultural point of view, February is a particularly interesting period.
The city’s museums operate at full pace, often hosting temporary exhibitions designed primarily for local audiences and therefore far removed from mass tourism dynamics. Visiting Palazzo Ducale, the Museums of Strada Nuova or the civic collections becomes a relaxed experience, where one can genuinely linger in front of the works.

Theatres and concert halls are also in the heart of their season: opera, drama and classical music all find space at this time, making February ideal for those who enjoy combining a city visit with an evening cultural programme.

February is often also the month of Carnival, which in Genoa takes on a less folkloric and more widespread form: neighbourhood events, cultural initiatives, family-oriented activities and a city that comes alive without transforming itself.
It is not a “postcard” Carnival, but an urban one — lived and integrated into everyday life.

Another major advantage of February is the evening life.
Restaurants, trattorias, historic cafés and wine bars are frequented mainly by locals. This means more attentive service, a more authentic atmosphere and the chance to enjoy the city in the evening without the pressure of tourist crowds.

It is the perfect time to savour Ligurian cuisine at a relaxed pace, without impossible reservations and without haste.

February is also one of the most favourable months from an economic point of view.
Accommodation, services and activities are generally more accessible and, above all, more readily available. This allows for a more careful choice of where to stay, prioritising quality, location and tranquillity.

And it is precisely in this month that the choice of accommodation becomes an integral part of the experience: a well-positioned base allows you to explore Genoa on foot, return easily in the evening and make the most of the city even with shorter days.

Ultimately, February is not the right month for those seeking a “postcard” Genoa.
It is the ideal month for those who want to understand how the city works, how it moves and how it breathes, without filters and without compromises. And it is precisely this that makes the stay more authentic and memorable.

Genoa is not a city that is experienced in the same way all year round. It changes with the seasons, with the light, with the climate and with the rhythm of those who live there.

And when it comes to choosing where to stay, this matters far more than one might think.

Many guides talk about neighbourhoods, about “the best areas”, about whether to stay in the centre or not. Very few, however, explain that the very same location can offer completely different experiences depending on the time of year.
And this is precisely where Genoa sets itself apart from many other Italian cities.

In winter, Genoa feels more contained, quieter, almost intimate.
Days are shorter but often clear, the air can be surprisingly crisp, and distances seem to shrink.

This is when staying in a well-connected and bright area truly makes a difference: returning in the evening without chaos, waking up to natural light, moving around on foot without crowds. In this season, choosing a base that allows you to experience the city calmly is a real asset, not a minor detail.

With spring, the city changes pace. Genoa opens up again, neighbourhoods come back to life, and pedestrian routes become more active — lively by day, without necessarily being overcrowded, and animated again in the evening.

This is the period when the location of your accommodation begins to matter more if it is poorly chosen: being too immersed in the main flows can feel tiring, while a slightly set-back yet central position allows you to enjoy the city’s vitality without being overwhelmed by it.

Summer is perhaps the most delicate season.
Genoa is not a classic seaside resort, yet in summer it concentrates events, traffic, heat and tourism in a very intense and localised way. Once again, staying in the wrong spot can mean night-time noise, difficulty moving around and fatigue that builds up day after day. At this time of year more than ever, context matters: ventilation, quiet surroundings, the ability to walk while avoiding the most congested routes, and the freedom of having multiple options available.

Autumn, finally, brings back a more authentic Genoa.
The rhythm returns to an urban balance, days are often beautiful, and the city becomes deeply liveable once again. It is the ideal season for those who want to stay in the city and feel part of its equilibrium, rather than just a passing visitor.

All of this leads to a simple conclusion that is rarely stated: when coming to Genoa, more than elsewhere, understanding where you will stay is essential.

This is also why La Garaventa was not conceived as merely “a place to sleep”, but as a home, designed to adapt to different moments of the year. Its location, in Via Serra, allows you to experience the city on foot in every season, avoiding excesses when necessary and making the most of its vitality when that becomes a value. The tranquillity and night-time brightness of the residential area, the proximity to transport connections and the genuine distance from noise ensure an experience that feels different in January, April or August, without ever losing balance.

Staying in Genoa, ultimately, is not a static choice. It is a decision that changes with light, rhythm and time. And understanding this before you arrive means experiencing the city far better.

One aspect that is rarely taken into account is that of commissions.

Booking platforms apply significant fees to property owners, and these costs inevitably find their way into the final price paid by the guest. Direct contact, on the other hand, often allows for better conditions, greater flexibility and, above all, a clear and transparent dialogue before the final decision is made. And all this without giving up any form of protection: we are in Europe and subject to legislation that safeguards customers and guarantees rights and security even in direct arrangements.

Beyond the financial aspect, what booking platforms struggle to convey is how the city actually works. Descriptions are often reduced to generic labels such as “central” or “close to attractions”, but in Genoa these definitions can be misleading.

The city is not flat, not linear, and it cannot be fully understood through a two-dimensional map. Two accommodations that appear very close to each other may offer completely different experiences in terms of walkability, noise levels, light, ventilation and connections.

Verticality is one of Genoa’s defining characteristics, yet it is also one of the least explained. Slopes, stairways, creuze, urban lifts and funiculars are part of everyday life, and overlooking these elements can lead to unsuitable choices, especially for first-time visitors or those travelling with luggage. Online maps, by their nature, fail to convey this complexity, so essential details often emerge only after arrival.

Even photographs, however carefully curated, tell only part of the story. They show interiors, but rarely the surrounding context: what kind of street the property is on, whether the area is noisy or quiet, whether it is a thoroughfare or a residential neighbourhood. In Genoa, the urban context matters just as much as the accommodation itself, and it often plays a decisive role in the overall quality of a stay.

This is where local knowledge truly makes the difference. Knowing Genoa means understanding which locations allow you to move around mostly on foot, which areas remain pleasant even during the high season, and how to make the most of vertical connections to avoid traffic and fatigue without sacrificing centrality.

La Garaventa apartments are located in Via Serra, a strategic position that is not always clearly highlighted by street maps. We are not in the narrow lanes of the historic old town, but just a short walk from them. We are not on the hills, but in a genuinely strategic area, served by a funicular and several urban lifts that make it easy to reach the upper parts of the city as well. From here, much of Genoa can be explored on foot, with almost everything truly just a few minutes away.

La Garaventa is set along a pedestrian creuza, within a historic residential area, ensuring peace and quiet without isolation. The neighbourhood is well served and central in the most practical sense of the word, very close to Brignole railway station and just steps away from numerous theatres and the Carlo Felice Opera House for those who enjoy the city’s cultural life, as well as a wide choice of restaurants, bars and historic cafés.

For all these reasons and more, when dealing with well-structured organisations such as La Garaventa, it is important to go beyond the booking platform, visit the official website and contact us directly. Direct contact makes it possible to establish a personal relationship, receive detailed explanations, clarify any doubts before booking and assess solutions that genuinely suit individual needs.

In a city like Genoa, complex and fascinating precisely because of its structure, choosing accommodation is not simply a matter of price or a pin on a map, but rather a question of balance. And it is only through a real understanding of the territory that a simple overnight stay can become a truly successful experience.

Ezio Grillo

Genoa is a city that does not develop only horizontally, but also – and perhaps above all – vertically.
From the sea, the docks and the historic centre, the city rises rapidly towards the hills, where residential districts, parks, viewpoints and some of the most spectacular panoramas in the Mediterranean can be found.

To connect these very different worlds, Genoa has developed over time a unique system of special transport facilities: funiculars, rack railways and urban lifts that allow passengers to gain altitude in just a few minutes, independent of city traffic, running on protected routes, non-polluting and perfectly integrated into the public transport network.

Today, these systems play a dual role: they are essential means of transport for everyday life in Genoa, but also an extraordinary tourist tool that allows visitors to discover the city from a completely different perspective.

Moving vertically in Genoa is therefore not just a way of getting around: it is a way of understanding the city, its unique balance between sea, hills and neighbourhoods. It is an experience we recommend both to those visiting Genoa for the first time and to those who have known it all their lives, because Genoa seen from above never fails to surprise.

The Sant’Anna Funicular is the ideal starting point. It is the oldest in the city and also the one closest to our La Garaventa apartments in Via Serra.
For us, having it just a few steps away is a real privilege: operating since 1891, it connects Piazza Portello, in the heart of the city centre, with the Circonvallazione a Monte in just two minutes.

In an instant, you rise above the rooftops of the historic centre and completely change perspective, arriving in one of the most panoramic and pleasant areas of the city.
Here the view opens out over Via Garibaldi, the Old Port, the sea and the entire urban arc, and it is easy to understand why this route is loved by both Genoese residents and visitors alike.

Just a few metres away, and often used as an alternative or in combination with the funicular, there is also one of the urban lifts that reach the same panoramic area, offering a different but equally fascinating experience. It is one of the clearest examples of how, in Genoa, multiple systems coexist and complement each other, always providing a quick way to rise and discover the city from above.

Another unmissable experience is the Zecca–Righi Funicular, the largest and most articulated installation in the Genoese network.
From the city centre, it gradually climbs towards the hills, leaving traffic behind and immersing passengers in a landscape that changes metre by metre.

Once at Righi, the city opens up beneath your gaze and the sea seems even closer, while around you begin walking paths, historic forts and green areas ideal for walks and time spent in nature. It is a climb that does more than simply transport you: it invites you to slow down and enjoy the view.

The Principe–Granarolo Rack Railway, by contrast, tells the story of a more everyday and authentic Genoa. Departing from the area around Principe Station, it climbs along a steep and surprising route towards the hillside districts, passing through stops that reveal a lived-in city, made of houses, sudden glimpses and unexpected views of the sea.

It is a journey that would be unthinkable on foot, yet in just a few minutes it allows you to discover a less touristy and very genuine side of Genoa.

Alongside the rail-based routes, the network of urban lifts ideally completes the picture of Genoa’s vertical mobility, allowing height differences that would otherwise require long climbs to be overcome in just a few seconds.

These lifts are small “bridges” between different levels of the city: each has its own history, its own role in the daily life of Genoese residents and, often, offers unexpected views of the city.

One of the most famous installations is the Castelletto Levante lift, which, as mentioned, connects Piazza Portello with the Castelletto Esplanade.
This lift reaches the Circonvallazione a Monte, one of Genoa’s finest panoramic areas, where the city seems to unfold beneath your eyes in an embrace of red rooftops, spires and sea.

The ascent is rapid, but the effect is that of a small journey through time: once at the top, many people continue on foot towards the viewpoints of Spianata di Castelletto, or stop in the cafés and gardens overlooking the Old Port and the historic centre.

The Castelletto Ponente lift, departing from Via Balbi 3R, also climbs towards the same hillside area, offering an interesting and lesser-known alternative for reaching the upper streets of the city. Here too, arrival provides access to pedestrian routes that wind along the hills, just a short distance from quiet squares and history-rich streets.

A short distance away is the Castello D’Albertis – Montegalletto Lift.
It connects Via Balbi, near Principe railway station, with Corso Dogali, serving both the Circonvallazione a Monte and the Castello D’Albertis Museum. Less “touristy” than others, this lift is extremely practical and widely used by locals, while still offering a different perspective on the city.

Another significant installation is the Magenta–Crocco lift, which departs from Via Magenta 8R and reaches Via Crocco, one of the streets that cut diagonally across the hills. The lower station is just a short walk from the arrival point of the Sant’Anna Funicular, making it an efficient connection between the city centre and the upper areas.

Finally, mention must be made of the Dogali lift, connected to the street of the same name in a panoramic position, offering rapid access to the surrounding hills. It departs from Via XX Settembre / Via Carlo Alberto, an area rich in historic buildings, and ascends to a quiet residential zone, perfect for those who wish to explore the city at a slower pace, among architecture and gardens.

All these lifts – and many others not mentioned here – are not merely means of transport: they are small vertical narratives of the city, allowing Genoa to be perceived not simply as a collection of streets and districts, but as a continuum of levels and perspectives. Riding them often means discovering hidden corners, unexpected views, quiet streets and, in many cases, viewpoints well worth stopping at.

One of the most interesting aspects of all these systems is that they do not require special tickets.
Funiculars, rack railways and urban lifts can be used with standard AMT travel tickets – time-based tickets, multi-journey passes and season tickets – and they are also accessible to people with reduced mobility. These are systems conceived over a century ago, yet still surprisingly modern, sustainable and inclusive today.

Discovering Genoa from above, moving from the sea to the hills in just a few minutes, is one of the most authentic ways to grasp the spirit of the city. An experience that conveys better than any guide the vertical, surprising and profoundly Mediterranean character of Genoa.

Genoa is a wonderful city, but not a simple one.
It is vertical, intricate, fascinating and — let’s be honest from the outset — also a little demanding.

For this  reasons, when deciding to visit it for two or three days, choosing where to stay is not a secondary detail: the right place enhances the experience, while the wrong one can complicate it considerably.

Many visitors arrive with the romantic idea of sleeping “in the heart of the carruggi” — the narrow lanes of the historic centre.
Atmospheric, certainly. But after the first night spent among constant noise, crowded alleyways, decidedly “intense” smells, steep staircases and windows overlooking streets that never really sleep, that initial enthusiasm often fades.

The carruggi are wonderful to experience during the day — and also in the evening, for an aperitif or dinner — but they are not always the ideal place for truly resting.

This is precisely why, when we chose where to create La Garaventa Serviced Apartments, we started from a very simple principle: to be in the city centre, but not inside the chaos.

La Garaventa is located in Genoa’s elegant centre, the area of grand 18th- and 19th-century historic palazzi.
It is a clean, orderly, safe neighbourhood and, above all, quiet in the evening and at night — a detail which, after a full day spent exploring the city, very quickly stops feeling like a mere detail.

And yet, nothing is given up. Quite the opposite.
Genova Brignole railway station is just a few minutes’ walk away, the underground is very close (and will soon be even more convenient), and the historic carruggi can be reached effortlessly, as can the main shopping streets, the Mercato Orientale and a wealth of traditional local shops. The surrounding area also offers restaurants, supermarkets, services and paid parking — something far from obvious in Genoa, where cars simply cannot enter the carruggi.

It is one of those rare cases where you really can say you are in the right place, in the right way.

Choosing an apartment instead of a hotel makes the stay even more enjoyable.

More space, more independence, more quiet, and the freedom to experience Genoa at your own pace. No rigid schedules, no crowded lobbies, no rooms too small to accommodate even one extra suitcase. And above all: no obligations, no unnecessary formalities — and no tipping.

This last point may raise a smile: in Italy there is a well-known, light-hearted stereotype that people from Genoa are famously careful with money, and jokes about mancia (tips) are a form of affectionate local irony that Italians instantly recognise.

And if, at the end of the day, you feel like pausing outdoors before heading out again, or simply relaxing, having an external space such as our garden — an absolute rarity in the city centre — quickly proves to be a value you genuinely appreciate.

Genoa is a city you truly come to love when you experience it calmly, sleep well and move around without stress.
That is why La Garaventa was not created to “sell nights”, but to offer a more intelligent, comfortable and authentic way of staying in the city.

There are cities that fall silent at night, and others in which darkness gives them new life and certain quarters awaken.
Genoa belongs to the latter.

When the sun sinks behind the hills and the sea turns as dark as the slate of its rooftops, the city changes rhythm, stretches, and exhales.
That is when it reveals one of its most intimate and surprising sides — the one that unites the lights of the harbour, the scent of freshly baked focaccia, and the quiet voices echoing through the carruggi.

It is the hour to explore her lightly, surrendering to her suggestions and shadows.

The evening can begin in Piazza delle Erbe, the youthful, unselfconscious heart of the old town.
Here, among the time-worn façades and wrought-iron signs, from seven o’clock onwards the bars fill with glasses and conversation.
A glass of Vermentino at Les Rouges or a cocktail at Kowalski is enough to feel part of the Genoese rhythm — that subtle mixture of restraint and spontaneity that no other city quite possesses.

From there, wander slowly down towards the Old Harbour, through alleys scented with basil and sea salt.
The lamplight glimmers on closed shutters, and now and then a trace of spice drifts from a still-open drogheria.
Emerging into Piazza Caricamento, the city opens itself to the sea: the Molo Vecchio ahead, the Lanterna shining far to the west, and a breeze rising from the water like a gentle hand.

Since you are already here, stay among the caruggi for dinner.

In Vico delle Grazie, just steps from the harbour, stands Trattoria delle Grazie, a timeless place where sailors and artists have eaten for generations.
Or try Trattoria da Rina, once beloved by Sandro Pertini — one of Italy’s most admired Presidents of the Republic — who loved the honest, unpretentious cooking of this Genoese corner.
Trofie al pesto, stuffed anchovies, stoccafisso in umido: dishes that taste of home, served in rooms that smell faintly of wood, wine and memory.

After dinner, Genoa calls you upwards.
But fear not — there are public lifts. In just a few minutes, a charming Art Nouveau elevator takes you to the Belvedere di Castelletto, where the view is one the Genoese never tire of: the black sea below, the lights of the port like overturned constellations, the slate rooftops, the distant hum of departing ships.
Here, an artisan gelateria serves cones and cups of true flavour — salted pistachio, Riviera lemon, creamy nocciola — perfect to enjoy sitting on the parapet in summer, gazing down at the sleeping city.

Or perhaps a quick drink from the little kiosk that stays open late into the night.

If the night still calls for movement, it is worth venturing further — to Boccadasse.
It is a longish walk, at the far end of Corso Italia, Genoa’s elegant seaside promenade, but the effort is rewarded.
This small fishing village, softly lit and untouched by time, keeps an atmosphere no restoration could ever reproduce.
Boats pulled up on the sand, tables by the water, the slow rhythm of the waves: you can sip a glass of white wine or a limoncello at Creuza de Mä while the reflections of the sea dance in your glass.

A little further along, the gelaterie of Boccadasse serve until late: pine-nut cream, caramelised figs, sorbets of the season — perfumes mingling with the salt air, in one of the sweetest and truest corners of the city.

And for those who like to end the evening with a touch of elegance, a final glass at Capo Santa Chiara, on its terrace suspended above the sea, is the perfect conclusion.
If fortune grants you a free table, this refined restaurant may host you for the night’s last drink — and it is well worth it.

These are but a few suggestions. The city offers infinitely more — countless places for an aperitif, a dinner, or hours of quiet pleasure.

Two final words of advice: in Genoa, always seek authenticity — and because it is a city lived fully by its inhabitants, always book ahead.

It is well known that Genoa does not grant instant views or effortless panoramas.

To understand her, one must cross through her streets, listen to her murmurs and, above all, step inside.

Behind her austere façades, behind the slate portals and the stairways scented with damp stone, lies a suspended world made of silent courtyards, loggias, stuccoes and gardens known only to a few.
It is here that Genoa reveals her true soul — in the palaces that cannot be seen.

Along the Strade Nuove and the alleys that climb towards the Carmine or descend towards the harbour, the Palazzi dei Rolli tell the story of the city’s quiet grandeur.

Not only the famous ones — Doria Tursi, Rosso and Bianco — but also those which, through discretion or position, remain in the shadows.
These are not palaces one visits by chance: they are discovered as one discovers a person — partly through fortune, partly through trust.

In Vico delle Mele, for example, Palazzo Brancaleone Grillo unveils an arcaded courtyard from another age.
Built in the fifteenth century and once belonging to one of Genoa’s oldest families, it preserves its stone spiral staircase and arches that frame a rare, eloquent silence.
Today it hosts cultural events and exhibitions, yet its structure remains untouched — you can almost hear the footsteps of merchants climbing towards the noble floors.

A little higher up, in Via Luccoli, stands Palazzo Tommaso Franzone.
Its Renaissance façade conceals unexpected richness: a monumental staircase, frescoes from the sixteenth century and a courtyard overlooking Vico Usodimare.
It is one of those places where art and daily life intertwine — today home to studios and apartments, yet still imbued with that typically Genoese balance of elegance and restraint.

Closer to the sea, in Via al Ponte Reale, Palazzo Adorno (later Cattaneo Adorno) is a rare case: built in the sixteenth century upon medieval foundations, it is one of the few still showing traces of the ancient city on its façade.
From the outside, one might mistake it for an ordinary corner building; inside, however, it tells centuries of history through its stuccoes, barrel vaults and a rare equilibrium of strength and grace.

A short walk from San Lorenzo Cathedral, Palazzo Durazzo-Zoagli reveals its beauty only to those who enter.
Beyond the doorway lies a luminous courtyard, rooms with frescoed ceilings and chambers that now host elegant hospitality spaces.

It perfectly embodies how the city has evolved over time without ever losing its sense of proportion: Genoa knows how to change — but always in silence.

In Via di Canneto il Lungo, finally, Palazzo Agostino Calvi Saluzzo represents one of those architectures poised between the ancient and the noble.
Born from medieval dwellings, it preserves an atrium in black promontory stone and a vaulted staircase that opens onto an inner courtyard.
Here, perhaps more than anywhere else, one perceives the city’s stratification — centuries layered upon one another like the tides, never erasing what came before.

To visit these places is to read Genoa’s hidden soul.
Each portal marks a threshold between two worlds: the outer and the inner, the noise and the stillness, labour and contemplation.

Outside: the sound of caruggi, market voices, the scent of focaccia and sea-salted air.
Inside: the geometry of beauty, light descending through shafts of sky, the discreet murmur of water in ancient fountains.

The palaces that cannot be seen are not museums — they are living houses, still breathing.
They are the deepest veins of a city that does not love to display herself, yet to those who know how to look, she reveals her true nobility: that of ingenuity, of commerce, and of silence.

Genoa, as ever, does not exhibit herself — she allows herself to be discovered.

Genoa is a city that can only truly be understood at first sight — when you arrive from the sea.

Not every coastal city actually looks towards the sea.

Many only brush against it, exploit it, hide from it or turn their backs on it: Venice lives upon the water yet gazes inward; Alghero defends itself behind its walls; Livorno faces more towards its docks than the horizon.

But Genoa does not. Genoa turns her gaze towards the sea — she observes it, questions it, fears it and longs for it.

And that is why Genoa can only be understood by those who arrive from the sea: because only then can one meet her gaze.

Those approaching from offshore, after hours of deep blue, see the city rise slowly, almost shyly.
First the mountains on which it clings; then the Lanterna — the ancient lighthouse that for centuries has guided sailors home — and finally the narrow, vertical skyline, wedged between mountain and abyss.
It is an apparition that feels both theatrical and familiar.

Genoa never reveals herself all at once: she unfolds in layers — the docks, the palaces, the churches, the bell towers, and finally the houses that climb the hills as if to breathe closer to the wind.

From the sea, one immediately grasps the meaning of this city: a place built to look outward, not to be looked at.

Its houses reach up towards the light, its alleys retreat inland. Everything here is a taut dialogue between sea and mountain, as if Genoa had been born to hold the two together.

Anyone entering the harbour can feel it: the clatter of cranes, the scent of iron and salt, the relentless pulse of life.

Here, the ancient and the modern brush against one another — the mercantile past and the contemporary city coexisting as two souls of the same body.

The port is not a periphery but the very heart of the city — a heart beating to the rhythm of tides and labour, of wind and departure.

And yet, despite her roughness, Genoa seen from the sea is not hostile: she is authentic.
She reveals herself only to those who can read her signs, as sailors do, because from the sea you perceive things that escape you on land — the compactness of the houses, the verticality of the quarters, the contrast between the grey of the stone and the green of the hills.

It is a beauty that does not flirt, but persuades.

Those familiar with ports recognise Genoa at a glance: there is no other city that both welcomes and challenges you, that seems to say, “come in, but first tell me who you are.”

That is why Genoa is not a city to visit — it is a city to reach.
And only those who arrive from the sea truly understand her, for it is only from the sea that one can see her face — and only then meet her gaze.

You cannot truly understand an ancient people with such solid traditions as those of Genoa without exploring their expressions.

Sometimes funny and sarcastic, at other times sharp or even bitter, Genoese sayings tell the story of those who have learned to live between the sea and the mountains, to save without losing dignity, and to laugh at life even when the wind turns against them.

The Genoese do not talk much, but when they do, every word carries weight — like a lead anchor.
Their sentences are short, often cutting, yet behind them lie centuries of experience, prudence, and that dry kind of wisdom typical of those who know the true value of things.

Take, for instance, «A l’è mêgio ‘n pöco ma bèn che tanto e puæto» – better little but good than much and poor.
It’s an ode to quality, to intelligent thrift, to that philosophy of “waste nothing” which forms part of the Ligurian soul.

Another beloved saying is «Chi peu, peu; chi no peu, ciù», meaning he who can, does; he who can’t, tries even harder.
It’s pure Genoese irony — gently mocking those who like to show off or pretend to be more than they are.

The sea is never absent from Genoese thought or speech.

«O mâ o l’é traditô ma o porto o l’é pezo» – the sea is treacherous, but the harbour is worse – sums up the destiny of a people accustomed to risk, departure and toil.

Better to face the uncertainty of the sea than to remain still in port, where life withers away in waiting.

Then there is practical wisdom, that mixture of economy and irony:
«Chi ghe n’ha, ghe n’ha; chi no ghe n’ha, o se strènze», he who has, has; he who hasn’t, tightens his belt.
No mugugno – a Genoese word roughly meaning complaint – just the calm acceptance of what one has and the ability to make do.
Because in Genoa, those who "mugugna" too much are frowned upon: the mugugno is an art form, but it must be practised with moderation.

The Genoese also know how to laugh at themselves.
«A l’é mêgio rispê o sôldo che parlâ tanto», better to save money than waste words, is one of those sayings that outsiders take literally, but which in truth reveals something of the local character: restraint, measure, and that modesty which prefers doing to talking.

And finally, the tenderness hidden beneath the rough shell:
«Megio un amîgo che centu parenti», better one friend than a hundred relatives, expresses a world of genuine relationships, silent solidarity, and friendships that mean more than any family tie.

A language that smells of the sea. Genoese sayings are not merely inherited words: they are the salt of a seafaring culture, one that has learned to live through measured choices, quiet courage and sharp irony.

They are like the ropes of a boat — taut, strong, yet flexible enough to survive the storms.

And perhaps that is why, as an old proverb says: «Chi sa o zeneize o l’é mezo savio.» He who knows Genoese is already half wise.

Because to truly understand Genoa — its pride, its reserve, and its sea — one must first learn the language of those who, for centuries, have sailed between iron anchors, the creak of timbers, and the poetry of the waves.

Beneath the bustle of the carruggi, the ringing of church bells and the salty air of the port lies a secret Genoa — made of stone and silence.

An invisible, parallel city flows under the feet of passers-by, where light barely filters through and every drop of water tells a fragment of history.

This is underground Genoa: mysterious, surprising, at times unsettling, but endlessly fascinating.

To walk through the streets of Genoa without knowing what lies beneath is like reading a book while skipping half its pages.
In the heart of the old town, beneath its squares and palaces, stretches a network of tunnels, shelters, cisterns and ancient aqueducts that through the centuries have protected, nourished and, when necessary, concealed generations of Genoese.

During the Second World War, dozens of air-raid shelters were carved into the rock. Today, thanks to the Centro Studi Sotterranei, some are open to visitors once again, such as the extraordinary Cittadella Ipogea of Campi.

Entering it is like stepping through time: corridors fading into darkness, graffiti scratched by waiting hands, the scent of living stone, and a silence that seems to hold the heartbeat of those who once sought refuge there.

Beneath the Ponte Monumentale, in the heart of Via XX Settembre, a vaulted belly of brick and arches conceals ancient walls and secret passages.

Here, where thousands of people walk by every day unaware of what lies below, the darkness tells of another city — damper, quieter, where the noise of traffic becomes only a distant echo.

Perhaps the most astonishing structures of underground Genoa are its ancient cisterns — true “cathedrals of water” carved into the rock or built beneath noble palaces.

Among them, the most renowned lies beneath Piazza delle Fontane Marose (just a few steps from our Casette): a grand seventeenth-century cistern, part of the hydraulic system that once supplied the area’s public fountains and the aristocratic residences nearby.

With its barrel vaults and black stone surfaces polished by centuries of humidity, it still preserves the suspended atmosphere of a place designed to safeguard water — a precious resource in a city built between the sea and the hills.

Today, thanks to visits organised by the Centro Studi Sotterranei and local associations, it is possible to enter this extraordinary underground space during special events and open days, descending literally into the city’s belly to rediscover its ancient hydraulic and architectural mastery.

It’s a rare opportunity to understand how Genoa — ever thirsty and ingenious — learned to govern its water through both art and necessity.

Further east, beneath the Giardini dell’Acquasola, lies an area still partly unexplored: a Roman necropolis and a network of underground corridors once intertwined with the ancient city’s water system.

It is one of the most evocative places in Genoa, where the most distant past coexists with the remnants of later centuries.

Other sections, open only on special occasions, reveal the layered soul of Genoa — a city that has never ceased to rebuild itself upon its own foundations.
In these depths, one understands that Genoa is not merely a city, but a living organism, grown both upwards and downwards.

Each descent beneath its foundations is a journey into another dimension — that of memory, where stones speak louder than chronicles.

Exploring underground Genoa is not just an adventure; it is a sensory and almost spiritual experience.
You walk through walls that have witnessed wars and plagues, breathe in the scents of damp stone and iron, and touch the work of generations who built, dug, and endured.

It is a descent into the very roots of the city — a rediscovery that Genoa, with its lights and its shadows, lives on in every layer, even where few dare to look.

If there is one city that has always lived with the sea in its eyes and the wind in its hands, it is Genoa.
A city that invented, traded, sailed, lent, and built — and that, quietly, taught the world to look beyond.

From here, not only ships set sail, but also ideas, technologies, institutions and ways of life that have travelled across centuries and continents.

Visiting Genoa means immersing yourself in a place that is not merely beautiful, but alive with tangible history — a city of inventions born of necessity and destined to become universal.

Let’s begin in the early Renaissance, in 1407, when the Banco di San Giorgio was founded in Genoa — considered the world’s first modern bank.
It wasn’t simply a place to keep money: it managed public debt, maritime trade and loans to foreign republics.
It anticipated concepts such as public credit, state budgets, and registered banknotes — centuries before modern financial institutions were born.

Walking today past Palazzo San Giorgio, once the bank’s headquarters and the nerve centre of the port, one feels the weight of history — the very ground where international finance began, just steps from the alleys, the sea and the scent of freshly baked focaccia.

In the Middle Ages, Genoa’s streets were lined with merchants, moneychangers and wooden tables — the banchi from which the word bank itself originates.
Here, the use of bills of exchange and promissory notes was developed — ingenious tools that allowed the transfer of money safely, without the risk of pirate raids or theft along long trade routes.
A stroke of brilliance born of the need for secure transactions that would later spread throughout the mercantile world.

To visit the Loggia dei Banchi, today one of the most atmospheric spots in the old city, is to step into the medieval economic heart of Genoa — a place where the sea, finance and diplomacy spoke the same language.
Long before Wall Street or the City of London, Genoa already had its own trading floor: the Loggia della Mercanzia.

And in 1855, the Genoa Stock Exchange was officially founded — promoted by Cavour — with one of the first structured and regulated systems in Italy.

Today, the Palazzo della Borsa, in the heart of Piazza De Ferrari, remains one of the city’s symbols: its grand neoclassical façade still reflects the solidity and mercantile spirit of Genoa — the city that invented trust and exchange.

But even global fashion owes something to Genoa.

In the sixteenth century, Genoese sailors used a tough indigo-dyed fabric suitable for sails, tarpaulins and workwear.
French merchants called it bleu de Gênes — “blue of Genoa” — from which, over time, came the word “blue jeans.”
From a port where sails and ropes were traded was born the world’s most famous garment — a symbol of work, freedom and adventure, just like Genoa itself.

Long before multinational corporations and investment funds, the Genoese had already invented the Maone — groups of investors pooling capital to manage territories or trade routes.

They were, in essence, the first joint-stock companies, administering colonies, islands and commerce with an organisation that was pragmatic, innovative and remarkably modern.

Genoa, in truth, is a city that changed the world — but not only that.

From here departed Christopher Columbus, who discovered America; Niccolò Paganini, who turned the violin into legend; and Giuseppe Mazzini, who taught Europe the meaning of “nation.”
All Genoese, all explorers — of the sea, of music, of ideas.

Only then can you begin to understand why so many things born here were destined to travel the world.

Genoa is a long, vertical, and surprising city, climbing between sea and hills like a natural amphitheatre.
A city of contrasts and harmony, where every district has its own distinct character and story to tell.

From the elegant avenues of the nineteenth-century centre to the medieval alleys, from seaside villages to hillside neighbourhoods, Genoa is a mosaic of souls that meet.

Via XX Settembre and Surroundings
This is the beating heart of Genoa — the street of shops, historic cafés, and elegant architecture.
Via XX Settembre connects Piazza De Ferrari with Brignole Station, crossing the core of the “modern city.”
Beneath its Liberty-style and Neo-Renaissance arcades stretch boutiques, bookshops, perfumeries, patisseries, and cafés perfect for a pause.
Just a few steps away are our casette, in a lively central area ideal for exploring the city on foot.

Beyond its stalls of fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish, it hosts a modern food hall with open kitchens, street food, and local wines — a true social hub for both Genoese and visitors.

The Historic Centre
A labyrinth of narrow alleys — the famous carruggi — preserves the most authentic soul of the city.
Between secluded squares, slate doorways and noble palaces, every step is a journey through time.
Here you’ll find ancient workshops, taverns, Romanesque churches, and small trattorias where Ligurian cuisine keeps its seafaring spirit alive.

Not to miss: Via Garibaldi and the UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Old Port redesigned by Renzo Piano, and the alleyways of the Molo district.

Carignano
Just a few minutes from the centre, Carignano is the district of elegance and tranquillity.
Developed in the nineteenth century as a bourgeois residential area, it features tree-lined boulevards, stately buildings, and panoramic views embracing the port and sea.

Its symbol is the Basilica of Carignano, designed by the great Renaissance architect Galeazzo Alessi.

Not to miss: the view over Via XX Settembre from above and the Acquarone Gardens.

Where to stop: Caffè dei Rolli in Piazza Carignano for a coffee with a view.

The quintessential upscale district, Albaro is synonymous with charm and quality of life.
Its historic villas, leafy avenues and proximity to the sea make it one of the city’s most desirable areas.
From here begins Corso Italia, the long seaside promenade leading to Boccadasse.

Not to miss: a sunset over the sea along Corso Italia.

Where to stop: Bagni San Nazaro for an aperitif by the sea, or Pasticceria Star for a fine sweet break.

Castelletto
Perched above the city centre, Castelletto is the bourgeois district of panoramic views.
From here you can admire the entire city, from the harbour to the hills.
An elegant, quiet residential area with beautiful Art Nouveau houses and green parks.
The Liberty-style lift to Spianata Castelletto is a Genoese icon — riding it feels like stepping into an old film.

Not to miss: the sunset view from the Spianata.

Where to stop: Cremeria delle Erbe for one of the city’s best ice creams.

Boccadasse
A corner of poetry set between rocks and sea.
With its pastel-coloured houses, beached boats, and pebble cove, this small district — which feels like a village within the city — is one of the most photographed and romantic spots in Liguria.
A place seemingly frozen in time, yet alive with daily life, fishermen, and seafront restaurants.

Not to miss: the view from Capo Santa Chiara and the evening panorama of the bay.

Where to stop: Gelateria Amedeo for an artisanal ice cream or Antica Osteria Dindi for dinner with your feet almost in the water.

Nervi
At the eastern end, Nervi is Genoa’s green and artistic soul — the district of parks and seaside promenades.
The Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi winds between cliffs and historic villas overlooking the sea.
Here the air is more relaxed, almost Riviera-like.

Not to miss: the Parchi di Nervi and the Luxoro Museum.

Where to stop: Capo Santa Chiara Bistrot for a scenic aperitif or Gelateria Gaggero in Via Oberdan.

Pegli
On the western side of the city, Pegli preserves the elegance of late nineteenth-century Genoa.
Its Liberty-style villas and seafront promenade make it a quiet and charming district, loved by those seeking a small-town feel without leaving the city.

Not to miss: Villa Durazzo Pallavicini and its spectacular park.

Where to stop: Bar Roma for a coffee on the promenade.

Sampierdarena and Cornigliano
The working-class heart of Genoa and the symbol of its industrial past, these neighbourhoods tell the story of labour and urban transformation.
Among old shipyards, Baroque churches and redeveloped spaces, they preserve an authentic and popular soul.

Not to miss: Villa Spinola di San Pietro and the new cultural venues in the harbour area.

A city of a thousand souls, Genoa is made of districts that differ yet complete one another.

From the sea to the hills, from focaccia to the Mercato Orientale, to the sunsets of Boccadasse — every corner tells a story of craft, sea, and memory.

Beyond the sea and its characteristic narrow streets, Genoa is also a city of sweets, chocolate, and ancient confectionery traditions.
In this Mediterranean city, pastry shops are not merely places of trade — they are artistic ateliers where innovation meets memory.

Here, pandolce, sweet focaccia, canestrelli, and festival cakes coexist with modern trends: vegan desserts, cake design, and artisanal chocolate.
Historic confectioners add even more richness with candied fruit, sugared almonds, pralines, and chocolate sculptures.
In this guide, we highlight some of Genoa’s sweetest landmarks — where craftsmanship and creativity meet.

Panarello (historic Via Galata location) – just steps from our casette
Founded in 1885, Panarello is one of Genoa’s most beloved and historic patisseries, representing over a century of the city’s finest pastry tradition.
It is renowned for its pandolce genovese, canestrelli, brioches, cream-filled cannoncini, and, above all, the legendary Torta Panarello, topped with its unmistakable sugar and almond crumble.
Entering Panarello means breathing in the authentic atmosphere of Genoa’s historic shops, where the scent of butter and vanilla blends with the memories of generations of locals.

Pasticceria Profumo (Via Garibaldi)
A must-visit for those who love Genoese pastry in its most refined form.
Founded in 1827, Profumo is a timeless gem with historic furnishings, elegant display cases, and aromas that tell two centuries of savoir-faire.
It is famous for its canestrelli, candied fruit, pandolce basso, and chocolate-dipped orange peel — all made with meticulous attention to ingredients and presentation.
A place that transports visitors to nineteenth-century Genoa and stands as a true civic treasure.

Douce Pâtisserie Café (Via XX Settembre)
Frequently mentioned in local guides as an unmissable “sweet break” in the heart of the city, Douce offers refined pastries, modern desserts, and light savoury options — a meeting place for those who enjoy style with substance.

Pasticceria Star (Albaro)
A blend of classic and contemporary pastry. Star offers vegan cakes, custom designs, and options for food intolerances — all crafted with finesse.
www.pasticceriastar.it

Il Tempio del Cioccolato / Pasticceria Le Rose
Specialised in fine chocolate-making alongside classic pastry. Bespoke cakes, gluten-free and dairy-free desserts.
www.iltempiodelcioccolato.com

Zuccotti Fabbrica Cioccolato
Founded in 1933, Zuccotti is a historic Genoese chocolate maker offering artisanal production, a working lab, and direct sales.
botteghestorichegenova.it

Confetteria Pietro Romanengo
Established in 1780, Romanengo is one of the most iconic confectioners in Italy.
Renowned for its candied fruit, sugared almonds, and exquisite chocolates — a living symbol of Genoese refinement.

Rossi 1947
Specialised in traditional confectionery, with several shops and a wide selection of sweets.
www.rossi1947.it

Genoa never ceases to surprise with the richness and variety of its museums and art collections.

For centuries a crossroads of trade, cultures and civilisations, the city preserves a vast cultural heritage — from Baroque noble palaces to maritime heritage, from artistic treasures to the innovations of science and technology.

In the very heart of the historic centre, along the magnificent Via Garibaldi (formerly Strada Nuova), lies one of Italy’s most beautiful museum complexes: the Musei di Strada Nuova.

Palazzo Rosso houses masterpieces by Van Dyck, Dürer, Veronese and Guercino.
Palazzo Bianco displays works by Caravaggio, Rubens and Filippino Lippi.
Palazzo Doria Tursi, now the City Hall, exhibits sculptures, ceramics and historic musical instruments, including Paganini’s legendary violin “Il Cannone.”

Visiting these three palaces means stepping into the splendour of Genoa’s aristocratic families and immersing oneself in centuries of European art history.

Down by the Old Port stands the Galata Museo del Mare, the largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean — a place that tells the profound story of Genoa’s bond with the sea.
Through reconstructions, artefacts and multimedia installations, visitors can relive the life of sailors, the age of exploration, and even the experience of Italian migrants bound for the Americas.

A must-see highlight is the Nazario Sauro submarine, moored just outside the museum.

The Museo di Sant’Agostino, housed in a former medieval convent, gathers sculptures, frescoes, artefacts and artworks that narrate the city’s artistic and religious evolution between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Its cloister — peaceful and evocative — offers the perfect spot for a moment of quiet reflection.

Palazzo Reale, in Via Balbi, is one of the finest examples of seventeenth-century Genoese architecture.
It preserves original furnishings, frescoes and artworks that bear witness to the grandeur of the Durazzo and Savoy families.

Not far away, Palazzo del Principe Andrea Doria, with its seaside gardens, evokes the Renaissance splendour of the Republic of Genoa.

For lovers of modern and contemporary art, the Museo di Villa Croce presents a rich permanent collection of Italian and international works, set within a nineteenth-century villa overlooking the sea and surrounded by greenery.

Founded in 1867, the “G. Doria” Museum of Natural History is a true institution for all ages.
With more than four million specimens — fossils, minerals, preserved animals and skeletons — it is one of the most important natural science museums in Italy.

In the eastern part of the city, amidst the greenery of the Parchi di Nervi, lies a museum complex dedicated to modern art:

All this is set in one of the most romantic corners of Genoa — among palm trees, lawns and breathtaking sea views.

When planning your visit, it’s worth checking the venues of temporary exhibitions, which complement the city’s major permanent collections.
Every year, Genoa hosts a rich calendar of events — from classical art to contemporary design, from photography to immersive installations.

The main exhibition spaces include:

To visit Genoa’s museums is not only to admire extraordinary works of art and rare collections,
but also to discover historic palaces otherwise closed to the public — and, at the same time, the story of a city that has always known how to unite tradition and innovation, sea and culture, memory and the future.

Genoa, known throughout the world as La Superba, is the quintessential maritime city, famed for its vast commercial port and tourist marinas.

But alongside these great infrastructures lies a more intimate and evocative soul — that of its ancient fishing villages, with their small harbours that for centuries sustained the daily lives of local communities.
Today, these places have been absorbed into the urban fabric, but they still retain their authentic charm, telling timeless stories of the sea and the people who lived by it.

Perhaps the most famous of Genoa’s maritime villages, Boccadasse is a small gem nestled among pastel-coloured houses that seem to tumble straight into the sea.
Once a fishermen’s hamlet, its little harbour still shelters boats pulled up on the pebbled beach.
Wandering through its narrow lanes and crêuze (ancient stepped paths), one breathes an atmosphere suspended in time — despite being only a short walk from the modern districts of Albaro and Corso Italia.

At the far eastern end of the city lies Nervi, once a village of sailors and fishermen, now renowned for its parks and the splendid seaside promenade Anita Garibaldi.
Here too, the small harbour continues to serve as an anchorage for fishing and leisure boats, flanked by inviting restaurants overlooking the water.

To the west, Voltri was once a centre of fishermen and traders connected to the nearby mouth of the Leira stream.
Its small landing place was vital to the local community and remains today as a historical memory, integrated into a lively district that still preserves a strong link to its maritime traditions.

Pegli, once a fishing village and later a popular seaside resort, has preserved its characteristic little harbour, now mainly home to pleasure craft.

Not far away, Multedo too was once a fishing hub, before the expansion of the main port radically altered its landscape.

Between the districts of Quarto and Quinto, two small seaside hamlets still retain their seafaring identity.
Vernazzola, in particular, remains an authentic fishing village, with boats drawn up on the shore and houses clustered close together.

Sturla, now fully incorporated into the city, preserves its small port and a community that continues to live in close connection with the sea.

Beyond the city limits, along the Riviera di Levante, the villages of Sori and Camogli — though not part of the Municipality of Genoa — form a natural extension of its maritime story.

Camogli, in particular, is famed for its centuries-old fishing and seafaring traditions, which have given rise to legends and a maritime culture unlike any other on the Ligurian coast.

This bright green, fragrant and intensely flavoured sauce is more than just a recipe — it is a true symbol of Ligurian identity, recognised and loved all over the world

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Pesto was born in Genoa, and it is here that it reaches its highest expression.
The first historical records date back to the nineteenth century, but its roots stretch much further into the past, connected to the Ligurian tradition of aromatic herbs and raw sauces.

The classic recipe calls for seven simple, genuine ingredients that, when combined, create a gastronomic masterpiece:

All these are pounded by hand in a marble mortar with a wooden pestle — hence the name pesto, from pestare, “to crush.”

Genoese pesto is wonderfully versatile, yet the best way to enjoy it remains with traditional Ligurian pasta.
The most iconic preparations include:

The Genoese Basil DOP is the soul of the recipe: cultivated in Liguria, it benefits from a unique microclimate that gives it its delicate and unmistakable aroma. Without it, one cannot truly speak of authentic Genoese pesto.

Visitors to Genoa have the privilege of tasting pesto in its homeland.

Typical restaurants, trattorias and historic delicatessens serve it with freshly made pasta.
Many local food shops also sell artisanal jars of pesto to take home — a delicious souvenir of the journey.

Cooking classes and workshops are also organised in the city, offering visitors the chance to learn how to prepare pesto the traditional way — a fun and authentic way to connect with the true spirit of Genoa.

Behind Genoa’s austere façades and seventeenth-century portals lies a little-known but immensely valuable green heritage: its historic gardens — true urban oases that tell stories of centuries of history, taste and culture.

Our journey begins in the heart of the old town, among the Palazzi dei Rolli, recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Many of these noble palaces conceal small inner courtyards and hidden gardens.

Designed as spaces for leisure and representation for aristocratic families, they combine scenic architecture, nymphaea and water features with Mediterranean essences: bitter orange, myrtle, lemon and oleander.
Some of these gardens can still be visited during the Rolli Days, offering a rare glimpse into the noble life of old Genoa.

Among Genoa’s most emblematic gardens is Villa del Principe, the Renaissance residence of Andrea Doria.
Here lies one of the city’s largest historic urban gardens, designed in the early sixteenth century in the style of the great Italian villas.
Terraces, fountains, geometric flowerbeds and mythological statues once provided the backdrop for grand receptions and important political meetings.

Another of the city’s treasures is the Park of Villa Durazzo Pallavicini, in Pegli.
Created in the nineteenth century by architect Michele Canzio, set designer of the Teatro Carlo Felice, it was conceived as a true open-air theatre.
The visitor’s route becomes an initiatory journey through ponds, temples, scenic ruins and wooded groves, unfolding step by step amid romantic atmospheres and sea views.

Inside lies the historic Camellia Grove, planted in 1856: an avenue nearly 200 metres long with more than 150 varieties of Camellia japonica.
Some specimens exceed six metres in height, and during flowering — from mid-February to early April — they offer a botanical spectacle unique in Italy, earning the title of the country’s most important camellia collection.
Every year, guided tours and events are organised, blending the park’s romantic appeal with the extraordinary richness of its botanical heritage.

One of the city’s most fascinating surprises are the hanging gardens of Palazzo Reale, in Via Balbi.
Situated on a large terrace overlooking the old harbour, they combine baroque geometries, hedges and statues with breathtaking views of the sea.
These spectacular hanging gardens show how Genoa’s noble families managed to “build greenery” even where the city’s steep topography made it difficult.

Also in the western part of the city, several other historic gardens deserve attention:
Villa Durazzo Bombrini, in Cornigliano, with its avenues and remains of eighteenth-century formal gardens;
and the Park of Villa Duchessa di Galliera, in Voltri, combining landscaped elegance and wide wooded areas, complete with a nineteenth-century open-air theatre and grazing animals.

Finally, a must-see is the Park of Nervi, among the most beloved by Genoese residents and visitors alike.
It is a magnificent complex of historic gardens once belonging to several noble villas — including Villa Gropallo, Villa Serra and Villa Grimaldi Fassio — now merged into one vast public park overlooking the cliffs.
The park is home to palms, roses, rare specimens of camellias and other exotic species, as well as lawns and tree-lined avenues leading to spectacular sea views.
The Park of Nervi is not only a place for strolling and relaxation but also a cultural centre, housing museums such as the Gallery of Modern Art and the Wolfsoniana, and each summer it becomes the stage for international events like the Nervi Ballet Festival.

Its landscape beauty, together with its artistic and cultural context, make it one of Genoa’s most significant parks.

From the hidden courtyards of the Palazzi dei Rolli to the grand nineteenth-century parks, from the enchanting hanging gardens to the Park of Nervi, Genoa’s historic gardens represent a heritage unique in the Italian landscape.

The Camellia Grove of Villa Durazzo Pallavicini — the most important in Italy — is its crowning jewel, a symbol of how the city has harmoniously united botanical culture and romantic scenography.

Visiting them reveals another side of Genoa: silent, refined and full of surprises — a moment of beauty suspended between sea and city.

The queen of Ligurian tables, focaccia genovese — or fugassa in local dialect — is far more than just food: it’s a daily ritual for the people of Genoa, eaten in the morning dipped in cappuccino, as a mid-morning snack, or in the evening as a light bite.

Simple in its ingredients — flour, water, yeast, extra virgin olive oil and coarse salt (sometimes with a touch of lard) — yet extraordinary in its result, focaccia owes its uniqueness to its soft, airy texture and its golden surface glistening with oil.

Since 2019, it has been officially recognised by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture as a Prodotto Agroalimentare Tradizionale (Traditional Agri-Food Product), confirming its gastronomic and cultural importance.

Many city bakeries preserve the tradition of authentic Genoese focaccia, and several have even been recognised by the Municipality as Botteghe Storiche (Historic Shops).

Among them:

These bakeries represent a heritage not only gastronomic but also social — true cultural landmarks preserving Genoa’s most authentic identity.

In recent years, local rankings and competitions have celebrated some of the city’s best focaccia makers:

Alongside these, many small neighbourhood bakeries guard their own secret recipes, handed down through generations, making each focaccia unique and recognisable from the very first bite.

Beyond the classic version with olive oil and salt, Genoa’s bakeries also offer irresistible variations: focaccia with onions — sweet and intense; focaccia with olives — perfect for an aperitif; and focaccia with rosemary — fragrant and crisp.

Every district and every bakery has its favourite, fuelling friendly debates and rivalries among food lovers.
Indeed, focaccia in Genoa is not merely food: it’s identity, tradition, and conviviality.

Visiting Genoa means queuing in a small historic bakery, taking away a paper bag of warm focaccia, and tasting it right there on the street — savouring, quite literally, the true spirit of the city.

• Palazzo Doria Tursi (Via Garibaldi) – Now the City Hall, it is the largest of the Palazzi dei Rolli. It houses masterpieces including Paganini’s violin and an important art collection.
• Palazzo Rosso (Via Garibaldi) – Renowned for its richly frescoed halls and art gallery featuring works by Van Dyck, Guercino and Veronese.
• Palazzo Bianco (Via Garibaldi) – Home to one of Italy’s major art galleries, with paintings by Caravaggio, Rubens and Filippino Lippi.
• Palazzo Reale (Via Balbi) – Once the sumptuous Genoese residence of the House of Savoy, with monumental rooms and a garden overlooking the harbour.

• Palazzo Spinola di Pellicceria – Still furnished with the family’s original décor and collections, it allows visitors to relive the atmosphere of a 17th-century noble residence.
• Palazzo Lomellino (Via Garibaldi) – Famous for its secret garden and frescoes by Bernardo Strozzi.
• Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola (Via Garibaldi) – Known for its elegantly frescoed façade, making Via Garibaldi an open-air museum.
• Palazzo Nicolosio Lomellino di Strada Nuova – Notable for its ornate stucco decorations and enchanting hanging gardens.

Genoa is known as a city of the sea, of trade and of noble palaces, yet there is another, equally fascinating side that often surprises those visiting for the first time: that of its medieval churches.

As you wander through the narrow alleyways and lively squares of the old town, you will come across white-and-black striped façades, sculpted portals and bell towers that suddenly rise between the houses.

They are living witnesses of the Middle Ages, when La Superba was one of the most powerful maritime republics in the Mediterranean.

The medieval churches of Genoa are not merely religious monuments: they are living fragments of history — places that tell stories of faith, of rivalries between noble families, and of the city’s relationships with Mediterranean powers.
Stepping inside them means walking on the very stones once trodden by merchants, crusaders, sailors and doges; exploring them is like taking a journey through time.

Its black-and-white striped façade is one of the city’s emblems, and its interior holds remarkable treasures: the Sacro Catino (which medieval tradition identified with the Holy Grail), the Ark of St John the Baptist, and chapels adorned with frescoes by great masters.

Just a few steps from Piazza De Ferrari, almost hidden in a small secluded courtyard, lies San Matteo, the family church of the Dorias — Genoa’s great admirals and patrons.
Built in 1125 and enlarged in the 13th century, it preserves the tombs of the family’s most illustrious members, including Andrea Doria himself.
It is an intimate and evocative place, where faith and political power meet and intertwine.

In the district of the same name, one of the oldest parts of the city, rises Santa Maria di Castello, one of the most fascinating and least touristy medieval churches in Genoa.
Founded by the Canons Regular as early as the 11th century, it shelters peaceful cloisters, 15th-century frescoes and an atmosphere that truly carries you back in time.

In the heart of the historic centre, with its distinctive octagonal stone bell tower, San Donato is one of the finest examples of Genoese Romanesque architecture.
Dating from the 12th century, it houses a masterpiece within: The Madonna and Child with Musician Angels by Joos van Cleve — a rare example of Flemish painting in Genoa.

Once one of the most important religious complexes of the medieval city, the church of Sant’Agostino is today home to the Museum of Ligurian Architecture and Sculpture.
Despite the bombings of the Second World War, it still preserves its graceful Gothic lines and its beautiful cloister.

If you are staying in Genoa, set aside half a day for a walking tour of its medieval churches.
We recommend joining a professional guide (we can suggest some excellent ones), but in any case, let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere of the alleyways and follow the trail of the white-and-black fronts.

• The Aquarium of Genoa
  The city’s most famous attraction and one of the largest aquariums in Europe, it hosts sharks, dolphins, penguins and species from every ocean on the planet — perfect for families, couples and the simply curious of all ages.
• The Bigo
  A futuristic structure designed by Renzo Piano and inspired by the port’s cranes. Its panoramic lift provides breathtaking views across the city and the sea.
• The Biosphere
  A striking glass sphere suspended above the water, containing a tropical garden with rare plants and exotic animals.
• The Galata Maritime Museum
  A voyage through the maritime history of Genoa and the great age of exploration, featuring a full-scale reconstruction of a Genoese galley and the Nazario Sauro submarine, which can be explored in the water.
• The Cotton Warehouses and Piazza delle Feste
  Modern spaces that host exhibitions and concerts, surrounded by restaurants and cafés where one can enjoy local dishes while gazing at the sea.

They are far more than mere streets: the carruggi are a living experience — a labyrinth of history, culture and everyday life that reveals the city’s most authentic identity.

The carruggi were born in the Middle Ages as the road network of mercantile Genoa.

Their layout answered practical needs:

This intricate network of lanes linked squares, churches, noble palaces and markets, creating a uniquely compact urban fabric that still retains its ancient charm today.

Walking through the carruggi means entering a microcosm of contrasts:

It is here — and has been for centuries — that peoples and cultures from across the world have met and mingled.
Even now, you can find spices, foods and products that have travelled from every sea, just as they did in the days of the great galleys.

This is where the true soul of the city resides, far from the postcard image: a fusion of cultures, languages and traditions that mirrors the cosmopolitan past of Genoa, the great maritime republic.

Some names ring familiar to anyone who walks her streets:

Each of these places guards its own stories, legends and curiosities — best discovered step by step.

Today, the carruggi are not merely a tourist attraction; they remain living spaces — home to historic workshops, artisan boutiques, traditional trattorie and modern cafés.

In recent years, they have been the focus of restoration and renewal projects, ensuring they continue to beat as the heart of the city and endure as part of humanity’s shared heritage.

The carruggi of Genoa form a labyrinth to be explored without haste, savoured corner by corner.
They are the symbol of a city that never reveals itself all at once — a city that asks those who visit to earn its beauty, step by step… peeking, whenever you can, behind every doorway.

With its modern interior architecture and its central role in the city’s cultural life, it stands as a landmark for opera, symphonic music, dance and theatre.

Designed by architect Carlo Barabino, the building was conceived as a monumental theatre, capable of rivalling the great European houses of the time.

Its stage was among the largest in Europe, and the auditorium — seating more than 2,500 — was richly adorned in the neoclassical style.
From the very beginning it hosted opera, ballet and symphonic concerts, quickly becoming the centre of Genoa’s cultural and social life.

During the Second World War, in 1943, the theatre suffered severe damage from air raids that destroyed most of the original structure, leaving only the neoclassical portico and a few surviving walls.
For decades, Genoa was left without its great theatre, and performances were held in temporary venues such as the Teatro Margherita.

Reconstruction began only in the 1980s under the direction of architect Aldo Rossi, who designed a modern building that would engage in dialogue with both Piazza De Ferrari and the 19th-century façade that had survived.

The new Carlo Felice Opera House was inaugurated on 18 October 1991, immediately earning its place among the most modern theatres in Europe.
With just pride, it is worth recalling that the Press Office Chief appointed for this momentous reopening was Luciana Fusi, to whom we have dedicated one of our guest houses.

Today’s Carlo Felice Opera House is a harmonious blend of modern design and historical memory.
Barabino’s restored neoclassical portico stands as a reminder of the past, while Rossi’s clean, geometric volumes bring the theatre into the present, opening gracefully onto Piazza De Ferrari.

The stage is equipped with some of the most advanced technologies in Italy, featuring automated scenery systems and exceptionally efficient backstage facilities.
The main hall, seating around 2,000, offers refined acoustics, modern lines and excellent visibility and comfort — the result of meticulous design.

It is not merely a theatre, but the living heart of Ligurian culture — a place where music, architecture and history continue to resonate together, keeping alive the refined spirit of La Superba.

These workshops and stores are living guardians of stories, crafts and flavours that have crossed the centuries.

Today, there are 103 businesses officially recognised in the Register of Historic Shops and Traditional Establishments, created by the Municipality of Genoa in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, the Heritage Authority and trade associations.

Of these, 70 are “historic shops” and 33 are “traditional establishments.”

Together they represent a remarkable spectrum of activities — each one a vital thread in the intricate fabric that makes Genoa’s old town so unique:

Each shop has its own distinctive character: its original furnishings, historic tools, architectural setting and the documents that bear witness to its past.

So as you wander through the streets of the old town — not only in the carruggi — every sign can become a stop on a journey through the living daily life of Genoa.
We can assure you: every historic shop is an experience in itself.

Crossing the threshold means entering a world of ancient gestures: feeling the play of light and shadow between wooden shelves, touching objects shaped by skilled hands, tasting foods prepared with recipes refined over generations.

To buy something here is to take home a living piece of Genoa — a parcel of handmade sweets, a length of fabric cut by a tailor, a breath of glass still blown using centuries-old techniques.

These shops are witnesses of time, and their endurance helps make Genoa a city whose streets tell more stories than any stone.

You’ll find them in the carruggi of the historic centre, in the lanes around San Lorenzo, along the side streets of Via Garibaldi, near the Old Port, in Castelletto and in many other quieter quarters.

Many bear discreet signs: leave the beaten paths, turn a corner, and let yourself be guided by the scents, colours and the subtle call of history.