Here are seven reasons why you may want to check it out. Despite being largely under the tourist radar, Genoa in Italy remains a hidden gem and offers some of the tastiest food in the world. It lures many with its architecture, notable art, and a rich history that reflects the city’s powerful maritime past as a once powerful republic, similar to Venice. Genoa offers an undiluted sense of grit and splendor, with a revitalized port designed by some of the best-known architects in the world. But for anyone looking for an authentic and deeply layered travel experience, heading to Genoa is a must. Don’t overlook it, as it deserves a spot on any visitor’s must-see list, alongside the remarkable cities of Venice, Florence, and Rome, with their megawatt attractions.
In the Palazzo Blanco, there are also exquisite illustrations of the Genoese School of art, renowned in the 17th century. You can discover creations by Caravaggio, Van Dyck, Rubens, Durer, and Veronese in the Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Rosso and admire other ancient European masterpieces in various landmarks, such as the Palazzo Reale and the Galleria Nazionale di Palazzo Spinola. There is exceptional artwork and the museums are not crowded.
You can take a lift that takes you up 40 meters to enjoy sweeping views of the city. In the port of Genoa’s old town, known as Porto Antico, you can now find the iconic symbol of the city, the Bigo Crane, along with a botanical garden and the Biosphere (an aquarium designed by Renzo Piano, a native son and starchitect known for rejuvenating old buildings in Europe).
Overlooking the sea, the location of the villa allowed Fleet to keep an eye on the walls of the city. Once the home of Andrea Doria, the Villa del Principe is an impressive dwelling that should not be missed. Among the grand structures are the Royal Palace, Balbi Stefano Palazzo, and Rosso Palazzo Blanco. These palaces are now designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. They were included on the rolli, or lists, of homes that the Republic tapped to host notable dignitaries and visiting families. However, these glittery showcases were not only created to serve as lodging for aristocratic and prominent families, but also to demonstrate the wealth of the city’s ruling class. They attest to the power and might of Genoa’s Republic during the 16th and 17th centuries, with more than 100 gorgeous palaces.
Genoa, one of Europe’s largest historic centers, offers a range of well-preserved palazzi showcasing a variety of architectural styles, from the black-and-white striped stone facades of the powerful Doria clan’s palaces, owned by the most influential families in the city, to the Gothic church of San Matteo anchoring Piazza delle Erbe. Filled with narrow, often cobblestoned streets and a tight network of caruggi, you’ll find cafes, restaurants, and shops that highlight the medieval heritage of the city.
Information about Marescotti and Romanengo can be found at botteghestorichegenova. At Marescotti Liquoreria Pasticceria, you can enjoy exquisite sweets such as almond cookies for breakfast. They produce seasonal cordials, preserves, and candies, incorporating ancient formulas and fragrances. They also offer herbal teas, lotions, and creams. Sant’Anna’s Farmacia Antica, established in 1650, is among the oldest shops, along with bookstores, stationery stores, and antique pharmacies. These historic eateries and artisan shops are evocative spots that date back to the first half of the 20th century and the seventeenth century.
“The city is known for its oldest desserts, such as jam tartlets (gobeletti) and apple fritters (frisceu panettone). Genoa’s answer to pandolce, a wonderful Christmas sweet, is also prepared. Additionally, the city is famous for its elaborate vegetable and seafood salad, capponmagro, as well as fish stews like ciuppin and buridda. Corzetti, a figure-8-shaped pasta, is often served with a mushroom sauce, and is typically topped with walnuts and ricotta. Another popular dish is stuffed Swiss chard (pansotti) with a walnut sauce (salsa alla noci). The city’s cooking extends well beyond these dishes and offers a wide variety of delicious options.”
The small shops preparing local delicacies for convenient snacking are the city’s sciamadde and friggitorie (many in the Sottoripa area of Genoa). Experience these and other options at the street (or take-out) food stalls, such as the pancake-like farinata, often sprinkled with just sea salt and pepper; panissa fritta, fritters seasoned with herbs; and cuculli, another kind of fritter infused with marjoram. Among the choices: focaccia, enjoyed plain or with various toppings, like onion or cheese; and several snacks made with chickpea flour. And the street (or take-out) food is also excellent.
There are several remarkable museums and a waterfront promenade (Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi) renowned for its breathtaking coastal views, Nervi is an additional fishing village with a beautiful beachfront, yet still part of Genoa, 7 kilometers east of the city center. Additionally, Boccadasse, a delightful fishing village, can be reached after approximately an hour’s stroll along the Corso Italia, the city’s coastal promenade, offering a more intimate seaside experience, while some areas of Genoa’s port are industrial. These areas are known as the neighborhoods.
The Wolfsoniana, with its extensive collection ranging from paintings, furnishings, and decorative items to industrial design, showcases the prominent design movements (such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Rationalism) of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Frugone Collections Museum at Villa Grimaldi Fassio specifically focuses on art from the Belle Époque era. The Galleria d’Arte Moderna, situated in Villa Saluzzo Serra, exhibits artwork from the 1800s as well as contemporary pieces. Additionally, the Nervi neighborhood in Genoa houses multiple art museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Villa Croce, which is housed in a stunning neoclassical villa. This museum boasts works by Lucio Fontana, Piero Manzoni, and Ben Vautier, and also showcases photography, design, and video art. Visitors can indulge in modern and contemporary art within historically significant settings.