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Things to Do in Genoa: Rolli Palaces, the Old Town, the Port and Day Trips (2026)
The best things to do in Genoa: the UNESCO Rolli palaces on Via Garibaldi, the caruggi and their street food, the Old Port, the Lanterna and Boccadasse, checked September 2026.
The best things to do in Genoa hide in plain sight. Think painted palaces, a maze of medieval alleys and one of the great ports of the Mediterranean. Genoa, or Genova in Italian, is the capital of Liguria. Most travelers rush through on their way to the Cinque Terre or Portofino. However, the city rewards two days with some of the richest art, architecture and street food in northern Italy.
The short answer: walk Via Garibaldi and visit the Strada Nuova museums, part of a UNESCO site since 2006. Then get lost in the caruggi, the narrow alleys of the old town, and eat focaccia and pesto. Next, spend an afternoon at the Old Port and climb the Lanterna lighthouse. Finally, end the day in the fishing village of Boccadasse.
Last updated: September 25, 2026
Things to do in Genoa at a glance
| Sight | Why go | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Via Garibaldi and the Rolli palaces | UNESCO-listed Renaissance and Baroque palaces | Half a day |
| Strada Nuova museums | Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Tursi | 2–3 hours |
| The caruggi | Medieval alleys, shops and street food | 2 hours or more |
| Old Port and aquarium | Waterfront walk and a large aquarium | Half a day |
| Lanterna | The historic lighthouse, open on weekends | 1–2 hours |
| Boccadasse | Colorful fishing village inside the city | An evening |
Via Garibaldi and the Palazzi dei Rolli
In the 16th century, Genoa was one of the richest cities in Europe. As a result, its banker families built palaces to match. Their showcase was the “new streets”, above all Via Garibaldi, the old Strada Nuova.
According to UNESCO (checked September 2026), the Strade Nuove and the Palazzi dei Rolli joined the World Heritage List in 2006. The Rolli were official lists: from 1576, the Republic’s Senate used them to assign state guests to private palaces. Naturally, the families competed to make their homes as grand as possible. The UNESCO site includes 42 of these palaces.
Today, many palaces are private, and some house banks or offices. However, you can often peek into their courtyards and staircases during opening hours. In addition, a few times a year the Rolli Days open the doors of palaces that usually stay closed. According to Liguria’s regional tourism agency, the fall 2026 edition runs from October 16 to 18 (checked September 2026).
The Strada Nuova museums
Three palaces on Via Garibaldi form the Musei di Strada Nuova. Palazzo Rosso keeps the rooms and collections of the Brignole-Sale family. Palazzo Bianco is the city’s main picture gallery. Finally, Palazzo Tursi, the town hall, displays the “Cannone”, the violin of Niccolò Paganini, a native of Genoa.
According to the Genoa city museums site (checked September 2026), the museums open daily from 10 am to 6:30 pm in the winter season. That season runs from September 28, 2026, to April 18, 2027. On Mondays, however, only Palazzo Rosso is open. The full combined ticket costs about €14 and includes the Museo di Sant’Agostino.
Get lost in the caruggi of the old town
Genoa’s historic center is vast. Its heart is a web of caruggi, alleys so narrow that the sun barely reaches the ground. First, walk from Piazza De Ferrari, with its big fountain, to the striped Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Then drift down toward the port through Via San Luca and the streets around Piazza Banchi.
In addition, the caruggi are where you eat. For example, stop at a bakery for focaccia, the oily Genoese flatbread. Also try farinata, a thin chickpea pancake baked in a wood oven. Then sit down in a trattoria, a simple family-run restaurant. Order trofie or trenette pasta with pesto, the basil sauce this city made famous. For a guided tasting, compare options on our Genoa food tour page. For the food itself, our guide to what to eat in Genoa goes dish by dish.
The Old Port, the aquarium and the Lanterna
The Porto Antico, the Old Port, became a public waterfront for the 1992 celebrations of Columbus’s voyage. The Genoese architect Renzo Piano drew up the plan. Today, it is a relaxed place for a walk, with the aquarium, museums and boats at every turn.
The Genoa Aquarium is a large aquarium and a good choice with children. According to its official site (checked September 2026), it opens every day of the year. Adult tickets start at about €25.
Afterwards, look west to the Lanterna, the city’s symbol. According to the museum site, the tower is 77 meters high and stands on a 40-meter rock. It dates in its present form from 1543. You can climb 172 steps to the first terrace. It opens Fridays to Sundays, 10 am to 6 pm, until December 31, 2026.
More things to do in Genoa: Boccadasse, views and day trips
Boccadasse and the seafront
East of the center, Boccadasse is an old fishing village of pastel houses around a pebble cove. Come at sunset, for example, for gelato on the rocks. On the way, the Corso Italia promenade runs along the sea for a long, flat walk.
City views
For the best panorama of roofs and harbor, take a lift or funicular up the hills that ring the center. The Spianata Castelletto terrace, reached by a public lift, is the easiest viewpoint.
Portofino and the Cinque Terre
Genoa is also a practical base for the coast, especially without a car. By train or boat, you can reach Camogli, Portofino and the Cinque Terre in a day. Compare boat trips on our Portofino boat tour page and our Cinque Terre boat tour page. For the wider region, see the Italian Riviera and our list of the best boat tours in Italy.
How to plan your visit to Genoa
- How long: two days cover the palaces, the old town and the port. Add a third for the coast.
- Getting there: Genoa has two main stations, Piazza Principe and Brignole, on the line between Milan, Turin and the Riviera.
- When to go: spring and fall bring mild weather and fewer crowds. The fall Rolli Days are a strong reason to time a visit for mid-October.
- Getting around: the center is compact and walkable, while public lifts and funiculars help with the hills.
For a longer route, see our northern Italy itinerary or the lakes, islands and coasts hub.
Staying overnight in Genoa? Compare places to stay below, and see our Cinque Terre itinerary to plan the rest of the trip.
Affiliate links: if you book through them, Italy2Love earns a commission at no extra cost to you.
Arriving on a cruise? See Genoa shore excursions to Portofino or the old town.
Where to stay: for a base nearby, see our independent hotel profile of B&B HOTEL Genova Principe, with location, parking and access details checked in October 2026.
Things to do in Genoa: frequently asked questions
Is Genoa worth visiting?
Yes. It has UNESCO-listed palaces, a vast old town, a lively port and excellent food. It is also a good base for Portofino and the Cinque Terre.
What are the Rolli palaces in Genoa?
They are aristocratic palaces listed from 1576 by the Republic of Genoa to host state guests. UNESCO added the Strade Nuove and the Rolli palaces to the World Heritage List in 2006.
How many days do you need in Genoa?
Two days cover Via Garibaldi, the Strada Nuova museums, the old town and the port. A third day allows a trip along the coast.
Can you climb the Lanterna of Genoa?
Yes. You can climb 172 steps to the first terrace. According to the museum site, it opens Fridays to Sundays, 10 am to 6 pm, until the end of 2026.
What food is Genoa famous for?
Pesto, focaccia and farinata, a thin chickpea pancake. Try pesto with trofie or trenette pasta.
Plan your Liguria trip
Taste Genoa, then sail the coast
Compare Genoa food tours and boat trips to Portofino and the Cinque Terre, with prices and ratings read on Viator.
Book it: experiences for this trip
Matched to this article by place and interest, then ordered by Viator rating and number of reviews (checked October 2026). Prices and availability are shown live on Viator.
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