Gênes Guide de Voyage
Genoa
Genoa Airport is situated about 6 Km from Genoa city centre. A shuttle bus service connects the terminal to the city centre and the main railway stations every 40 minutes. Journey time is 30 minutes and tickets cost €6. Taxis are also available. the journey time is approximately 20 minutes and costs about €20.00. Special prices for taxi's transport to and from Principe and Brignole railway stations are available upon request for groups of minimum 3 persons. Information on timetable and other services can be found on www.aeroportodigenova.it
Attractions
The Lanterna
A beautiful old lighthouse has become the official symbol of Genova as it is visible from almost everywhere in the city
The Aquarium of Genoa
The Aquarium of Genoa, situated in the Old Harbor area, is the largest in Italy and the second largest in Europe, it makes a genuine dive into our planet’s marine biodiversity.
Rolli’s Palazzi
Rolli’s Palazzi, a UNESCO world heritage site, is located on one of most beautiful streets in Italy, Via Garibaldi. This street is home to the city’s most impressive art gallery.
Cristoforo Colombo
The House of Cristoforo Colombo is the birthplace of the famous sailor.
Activities
Portofino
Portofino, part of the Italian Riviera, is an idyllic seaside resort drawing tourists and celebrities alike due to its stunning location and crystalline green waters.
Cinque Terre
The world renowned Cinque Terre can be explored by sea or on foot with a series of dedicated paths. Visitors can walk through these five picturesque fishing villages along the cliff tops taking in the spectacular views.
Ligurian Sea
The stunningly clear Ligurian Sea is perfect for swimming but also for anyone keen on discovering the region’s tradition of Slow Fishing, through a boat excursion with local fishermen.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Genoa
Liguria’s cuisine is varied. The region is renowned for its traditional pesto and focaccia. Head to Parco del Basilico di Prà to learn about the cultivation of Genoese basil and taste this famous specialty
Café culture
Italians do café culture like no one else and Genoa is no exception. Try a fortifying espresso or sample a glass of Rossese di Dolceacqua doc, one of Liguria's most highly rated wines
Riviera di Ponente
An hour’s drive from the city, along the beautiful Riviera di Ponente, olive trees grow along the steep hillsides which are then used in the production of Liguria’s famous Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Nightlife
Mako
With large windows overlooking the sea, Mako is the perfect club to dance the night away in. For unbeatable music selection and drinks, Mako is the place.
SYS Sand in Your Shoes
This popular weekend spot is known for its younger hip crowd and draws tourist and locals alike.
Bar Berto
Located in Piazza delle Erbe in the historic district, is the spot of the local movida. The happy hour is not to be missed.
Covo di Nord Est
For those looking to rub elbows with the wealthy, this restaurant and club located between Genoa and Portofino is the place to go.
Shopping
Albisola ceramics
The better known “Antique Savona” decoration is in turquoise on a white background
Campoligure filigree
An Arabic style imitation with very thin gold and silver wires which creates a vast number of fragile and elegant shapes
Zoagli silk and velvet
The weavers of Zoagli are masters in the production of very refined plain and damask velvets
Antica Drogheria Torielli
A grocery shop in Genoa's ancient district where you can find spices, teas, coffee from all over the world
Events
Genoa is known for colourful festivals!
Celebrating everything from theatre and music to food and sport, the annual events calendar is packed. In July and August the Palco sul Mare Festival is by now a consolidated event within the music and cabaret scene, while in September the Notte Bianca is the best known and awaited date of the city's calendar of events. The International Boat Show in October is the perfect blend of business, innovation, sea culture, sport and entertainment.
Weekend Genoa
Discover the hidden treasures of the city of Christopher Columbus, the Porto Antico area (Old Harbour) deserves a one-day tour. Visit the Acquarium (one of the most important in the world), enjoy the view from the panoramic elevator Bigo or learn the secrets of the naval industry at the Galata Maritime Museum. Admire the famous lighthouse: the Lanterna. In the evening taste the flavours of the Old Harbour in a nearby restaurant. The Old City, the largest in Europe, is the other major attraction: discover its unique network of alleyways (called carrugi). Admire its fantastic buildings (Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo San Giorgio), its unique churches (San Lorenzo and its treasure), its ancient craftsman's laboratories (via Giustiniani) and its stunning museums Museums of Strada Nuova, Galleria di Palazzo Spinola). Before going back home, don't forget to do some shopping in via XX Settembre, Genoa is the right place to make good deals!Trekking/Diving - Portofino
Portofino is located in the Golfo del Tigullio in Liguria (30 km east of Genoa). Many people consider Portofino an exclusive destination but few knows that is a National Park and that the best way to enjoy it is on foot. From the Saint George Church you can easily get to the Brown Castle and the lighthouse (with the best view of the promontory). The pathways were used by the pilgrim to reach the churches and monasteries (S.Fruttuoso, S.Nicolò, La Cervara). If you love diving you can choose to dive into the sea and admire the statue of Cristo degli Abissi, which has been placed in 1954 18 m below the sea level. For the best accommodation stay in one of the many hotels that you can find in Santa Margherita, Rapallo, Chiavari o Sestri Levante. A bus service connects these towns to Portofino.Old hamlets. Take a walk arm in arm with the past
As well as the view of the sea, the Liguria region offers another feast for the eye, meaning its hamlets, which are rich in history, and still intact and authentic; here life has the flavour of a time long gone and the people are unpretentious and hospitable. In the shade of the medieval walls, authentic art and food and wine treasures will unfold before your eyes, and will amaze the attentive eye of whoever is looking for a holiday with a difference, between time and history!Discover the artists’ hamlet of Apricale, the traditional fishing village of Laigueglia with its medieval hamlet, Noli, the old seafaring republic, Albenga with its medieval historic centre, Santo Stefano d’Aveto, set in a true mountain environment, among pine trees and small lakes, the round village of Varese Ligure. Tellaro, with its colourful houses and the small church, reminding of a ship ready to set sail.
Scents and flavours of the Ligurian cuisine
Simple and light, the genuine expression of the seafaring and the countryside life, the Ligurian cuisine boasts a hamper very rich in flavours. Every corner of this land has its own speciality and a recipe to be discovered by paying a visit to the wine cellars, the oil mills, the restaurants and the agritourisms.However the true pride and glory of the Ligurian gastronomy is the pesto sauce, the traditional dressing made of olive oil, pine nuts and garlic in ancient marble mortars with the pestle made of olive tree wood.
Trip suggestion: La Strada del Vino e dell’Olio, an itinerary which unfolds for 127 km from the Col di Nava to the sea of Spotorno, through the wine cellars, oil mills, restaurants and agritourisms, in order to get to know and to taste the local produce of Western Liguria, form the Alps to the sea.
Gardens. A passion to be cultivated
From the botanic gardens of Villa Hanbury in Ventimiglia to Villa Marigola in Lerici, passing through Villa Faraggiana in Albissola, Villa Durazzo in Santa Margherita, Villa Serra di Comago in Val Polcevera, the parks of Nervi on the Eastern side of Genoa, Villa Durazzo Pallavicini with its spectacular route, the magnificent Cervara located on the promontory of Portofino.These are just a few of the 26 villas and gardens which are part of the network: “Un Mare di Giardini”, a theme route which has as a common denominator the flowers, the never ending varieties of plants and the beauty of the gardens, where to spend unforgettable moments filled with intense colours.
Magnificent villas overlooking the sea are home to historical abodes of incomparable beauty and a green treasure made of gardens, parks, vegetable patches, greenhouses and rose gardens, testify the love and the care the old owners took in looking after them.
