Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Genoa?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Genoa?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Genoa. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great museums and landmarks and fun food, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, beautiful scenery, and shopping by staying for a weekend.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Genoa?

Many travelers spend two to four days in Genoa during their visit. After all, the historic port city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the historic old town.

Genoa is a port city in the Ligurian region of Italy. It has a long running maritime history and today it has an impressive old town and many beautiful buildings. There are also modern museums and a world class aquarium. While many visitors head to nearby beach towns, those who spend time in Genoa will appreciate a rich culture and many interesting activities.

Do you have one or two days to visit Genoa? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Genoa?

The port city of Genoa boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions around the city. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the historic port city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to four days to fully enjoy the port city even though it's not huge. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Genoa

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Genoa a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city has a long history and it is filled with monuments, palaces, and museums. Popular places to visit include the Via Garibaldi Palaces, the aquarium (one of the largest in Europe), the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and Santi Ambrogio.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this port city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The city's maritime roots have influenced its cuisine and you'll find seafood in many local dishes. Other classic Genoese flavors include pesto, anchovies, fried squid, and focaccia and cheese.

A few tour suggestions include:

Cooking class in Genoa - Do Eat Better Experience ($106)
Tour of Genoa historic center and wine tasting with dinner ($93)
Do Eat Better Experience - Food Tours in Genoa ($87)

Genoa is a very walkable city. With only a day in the port city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The old town, where most tourists spend the majority of their time, is easy to explore on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Genoa?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Genoa. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great museums and landmarks and fun food, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, beautiful scenery, and shopping by staying for a weekend.

Genoa, Italy

How to spend 2 days in Genoa

With a weekend (two to three days) in Genoa, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the port city has to offer.

Perhaps the most famous place in Genoa is the Via Garibaldi Palaces, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

This port city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city lights up at night and it's fun to experience the activity and energy. There's a nice evening atmosphere with many people out and about. You can grab drinks in Piazza Lavagna or see live music in Porto Antico. There are also many bars and clubs around town.

Public transit in Genoa is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the port city quite easily. There's a wide range of different public transit options that are all operated by AMT. The system includes buses, an underground (one line), funiculars (two), lifts (ten), a boat, cogwheel and narrow gauge railways.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Genoa, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.