About Genoa
Although not part of the “Big Three,” Rome, Florence and Venice, historic Genoa is No. 1 for many visitors to Italy. Aptly known as La Superba, Genoa is the Italian Riviera’s largest city and birthplace of Christopher Columbus. It is beloved for its beautiful architecture, which blends Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic, a plethora of palaces, Pesto alla Genovese, Mediterranean beaches and much more.
Explore Italy
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Overview
Genoa is world-renowned for its old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Furthermore, due to its diverse culture, Genoa proudly bears the name of European Capital of Culture, bestowed by the European Union. As it is located on the Italian Riviera, Genoa is also a great jumping off point for nearby Portofino and the paradisiacal Cinque Terre.
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What To Do
No trip to Genoa is complete without exploring the labyrinthine narrow lanes of medieval old town, one of the largest in Europe. Here visitors can find the Piazza de Ferrari, famous for its ornate fountain and the Doge’s Palace, built in 1291. Other must-see attractions in Italy’s leading port city include Porto Antico, Aquarium of Genoa (the biggest aquarium in Europe), Maritime Museum, Lighthouse of Genoa and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the most historically significant church in Genoa. One of La Superba’s most important and visited structures is the Christopher Columbus House, which should be included on any itinerary.
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When to Go
The best time to visit Genoa is shoulder season, or spring, particularly late April to mid-June. The weather will be much milder than the humid and potentially scorching summer months. Some people prefer the fall shoulder season, after the summer hordes are gone, but Genoa can be quite rainy in late autumn, especially November. However, late September and October can be ideal times to visit Genoa.
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