What to see
Aquarium and Porto Antico
Italy's largest aquarium and the waterfront redesigned by Renzo Piano, with the panoramic Bigo and the Biosphere.
Via Garibaldi and the Palazzi dei Rolli
The street of UNESCO noble homes, with the Strada Nuova Museums (Palazzo Rosso, Bianco, Tursi): hidden baroque luxury.
Cathedral of San Lorenzo
The black-and-white striped cathedral in the heart of the caruggi, with the chapel of St John the Baptist.
✦ Hidden gems — off the standard guides
Spianata di Castelletto
A panoramic terrace over the rooftops and the harbour, reachable by a historic public lift: the finest, free view over the city.
Public funiculars and lifts
The network of lifts (like the Castelletto one) and funiculars to climb the hill: urban transport and viewpoint in one, to try like the locals.
La Lanterna
The medieval lighthouse that symbolizes the city, among the oldest in the world still in use, reachable by a seaside walk.
Mercato Orientale
The historic covered market among the caruggi, today street food too: the best way to taste everyday Ligurian cooking.
Pansoti and cima
Pansoti with walnut sauce and cima alla genovese (stuffed veal pocket): festive Ligurian cooking, from the trattoria.
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Before you go
Recurring scams and local rules worth knowing before you arrive.
⚠ Scams to know
Pickpocketing and dark caruggi areas at night
low confidenceSome alleys of the old town (towards the harbour and the Maddalena/via Pré area) are poorly lit and less quiet in the evening.
How to avoid it: At night move along the main, busier streets, avoiding the more isolated alleys; keep your belongings safe.
SourceTourist restaurants near the Aquarium
low confidenceOn the more touristy waterfront some venues rely on passing trade with uneven quality and inflated bills.
How to avoid it: Head into the caruggi and look for trattorias and sciamadde (fry shops) frequented by Genoese.
SourceTaxis with unclear fares
low confidenceOn tourist or nighttime routes there can be not-always-transparent surcharges.
How to avoid it: Ask for the meter and an estimate before setting off, or use public transport, which is widespread even on the hill.
Source⚖ Laws & penalties
Limited-traffic zone (ZTL) in the old town
medium riskmedium confidenceThe centre and the caruggi are largely a limited-traffic/pedestrian zone with electronic gates: unauthorized access detected by camera is penalized under the Highway Code (art. 7 c.14) with a fine of €83 to €332 (reducible to €58.10 if paid within 5 days), with no licence points.
SourceCover charge at restaurants
low risklow confidenceThe cover charge (a few euros per person) must be shown on the menu; check the bill in the more touristy waterfront venues.
SourceUrban decorum in monumental areas
low risklow confidenceMunicipal rules ban behaviour that defaces monuments and the old town, with possible penalties.
Source
Recurring events
Hover over a month on the timeline for details.
Budget & timing
Average daily cost
Rough estimate (lodging + meals + local transport), not a precise verified source.
Best time by type of trip
Spring and sea — April-June
Mild weather for the caruggi and seafront, Rolli Days on some dates and the Ligurian villages within a day trip.
Autumn and culture — September-October
The sea still enjoyable, the Boat Show in September and a lively city without the summer heat.
Mild winter — December-February
A gentler climate than many northern cities, markets and moderate prices; the odd rainy day.
Did you know... Genoese pesto was born here, and blue jeans owe their name to the 'blue of Genoa' (bleu de Gênes) of the sailors' work fabric.
Getting around
Car recommended: No — The caruggi are a pedestrian labyrinth and the city is vertical: a car is useless in the centre, with a limited-traffic zone and pricey parking. Everything is done on foot, with the metro, buses and the characteristic lifts/funiculars.
The AMT network with one metro line, buses, funiculars and public lifts that climb the hill. An ordinary ticket costs €2.00, valid 110 minutes across the whole AMT network; with the new fare plan the metro is free 24 hours a day.
- Use the public lifts (like the Castelletto one): transport and viewpoint in one, with the urban ticket
- It's easy to get lost in the caruggi: download an offline map and enjoy the labyrinth unhurried
- For Boccadasse take the bus along corso Italia: a postcard village minutes from the centre
- The metro links Brignole, the centre and the Porto Antico avoiding traffic, and it's free 24 hours a day
Safety
- Genoa is on the whole safe: the risk is petty pickpocketing and some dark old-town alleys in the evening
- By day the caruggi are fascinating and alive; at night prefer the well-lit main streets
- Watch out for the height differences and steps: the city is vertical, comfortable shoes a must
Did you know... The city is full of funiculars and public lifts that overcome the steep height differences: urban transport that climbs and descends the hill.
Sources
Every source below was opened and checked by hand — not just cited. Entries that didn't hold up were downgraded to "low confidence" or dropped, not presented as certain.