Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Genoa?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Genoa?
Many visitors choose to spend around three days in Genoa. This would give you the chance to experience this medium-sized city's highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the historic old town. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to four days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the historic city.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town is large and complex, with many different time periods represented in the architecture and development style.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Genoa Walking Tour: Discover Hidden Treasures and Street Food ($197)
- Genoa Day Tour: 4 hours of Wine Food History and Joy ($108)
- Itinerant dinner in the old town ($76)
Genoa is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's a beautiful port city that has many cathedrals, palaces, and piazzas that you can explore.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Genoa Walking Tour: Discover Hidden Treasures and Street Food ($197)
- Genoese cooking lesson in the garden with lunch ($68)
- Genoa : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide ($49)
Is 4 days enough time in Genoa?
Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Genoa at your own pace to experience the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene. Then you can use this city as a convenient base for venturing into smaller destinations nearby where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Genoa, Italy
How to spend 4 days in Genoa
With 4 days in Genoa, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the port city has to offer.
Shopping in Genoa is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. You can pick up a number of different souvenirs around town including baskets, t-shirts, and local pesto. Popular shopping areas include Galleria Mazzini, Via Roma, and Via XX Settembr.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Genoa.
Is 5 days enough time in Genoa?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Genoa has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Genoa as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the famous sights and museums, the restaurant scene, and the historic old town at your own pace, as this medium sized city offers a variety of fun activities for families, couples, backpackers, and students. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Genoa
If you have more than 5 days in Genoa, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the port city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Genoa, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Tour of Genoa and Day Trip to Portofino from Genoa ($99)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Genoa.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Genoa, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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