Top 10 things to do in Genoa

Genoa is probably best known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, although it has plenty of other things to shout about. One such accolade is its cuisine, which includes both pesto and focaccia – two of Italian cookery’s most popular (and tasty!) exports.

It’s an attractive, historic and interesting city to choose as an Italian study destination, and if you’re lucky enough to spend time there you should do your best to make time for these activities whilst you’re there.

1. Visit the Porto Antico

Genoa is still a thriving port city, but the ‘Porto Antico’ (Ancient Port) has recently been restored into an attractive ‘historic quarter’. Today the harbour is lined with modern sculptures, and some interesting museums, and the old warehouses in the area have been converted into cinema and exhibition centre.

2. Have a look around the Aquarium

After walking around the port, you should definitely head to the Genoa Aquarium (Acquario di Genova). Built by the same architect as the Pompidou Center in Paris, it’s the largest aquarium in Europe, containing 71 tanks and over 500 sea and ocean dwelling species from all over the world.

3. Stroll along the Le Strade Nuove

The ‘new streets’ of Genoa were built during the city’s so-called ‘golden age’ (1528-1630), when some its most powerful families were at the forefront of Europe’s financial scene. They decided to relocate from the Centro Storico and build a ‘new Genoa’ on the hills behind – this resulted in the construction of some amazing buildings which have kept their elegance to this day.

4. Go to the Mercato Orientale

Held within the walls of an old monastery, the Mercato Orientale is a mouth-watering food market with stall after stall of delicious produce.  You’ll find cheese, meat, bread and succulent fruit and vegetables, and each item has a sign explaining where in Italy it’s from. A great way to practise your Italian is to get advice from the vendors on how best to cook the food – they’re expert on the subject and will be more than happy to tell you.

5. Visit La Lanterna – Genoa’s best known landmark

A symbol of Genoa for centuries, La Lanterna (lighthouse) offers visitors an impressive view over the port and bay. Its light is visible from more than 50km away. Built on a rock of 40 metres of height, the top of the Lanterna stands at 117 metres above the sea level – visitors can climb 172 steps to the first terrace, which is 76 metres above sea level…still not for the faint hearted!

6. Get a great view of Genoa from Castelletto

Genoa is well known for its hills, and for another breathtaking view of the city, and to save your legs, take a lift up to Castelletto, a district perched right over the rooftops of the old part of the city.

7. Visit one of Genoa’s many ‘Palazzi’

There are lots of palaces with impressive gardens in Genoa, but the street with the most has to be pedestrianised Via Garibaldi. Amongst those now open to the public is the Palazzo Doria Tursi, which is now the town hall. 

8. See Christopher Columbus’ house

To see the former dwelling of world famous explorer Christopher Columbus you need to head to medieval Porta Soprana. The small ‘Casa di Cristoforo Colombo’ is supposedly where the explorer spent his youth, although it was heavily reconstructed during the 18th century. Today, the house is furnished in a style which is in keeping with Christopher Colombus’ childhood years.

9. Take a tour of Cattedrale di San Lorenzo

Genoa cathedral’s distinctive black-and-white striped façade makes it easily recognisable. Inside is the Cappella del San Giovanni Battista, a chapel that is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and is said to contain the saint’s relics. Remarkably, a bomb was dropped on the cathedral in the Second World War but failed to detonate, leaving it in tact for visitors to enjoy today.

10. Take a day/overnight trip to the Cinque Terre

Jump on the train south for an hour and a half and you’ll find yourself in the midst of the beautiful Cinque Terre – five hillside villages perched on the Ligurian coast. Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are the villages, which, along with the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cactus offers a range of Italian course in Genoa, including General Italian, Individual Italian, Combined Italian, Business Italian and Italian Language and Culture. For full course listings and to book please visit the Cactus Language website.