Genoa, known in Italian as Genova, is a historic port city on the Ligurian coast of northern Italy. It was once a maritime republic and remains one of the country's major harbours, so the working waterfront is part of the everyday life of the place rather than a separate attraction.
The city is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, a fact that gives many visitors a reason to come and walk its streets. Its historic centre is a maze of narrow lanes, and the port sits close by, so the sea is rarely out of sight.
What a visit offers
- The port: a reminder of Genoa's long link with trade and shipping, and the reason the city grew as it did.
- The historic centre: a dense network of old streets, ideal for wandering without a fixed plan.
- The Ligurian coast: Genoa is a practical base for exploring the region's shoreline and hills.
Planning your trip
Genoa suits travellers who enjoy a port city with a strong sense of its own past and present. It is less a single sight than a place to spend time: eat well, walk the old quarters, and look out over the water. Allow a few days if you want to explore both the city and the coast around it.
