If you are looking for a destination that combines history, culture, and natural beauty, Genoa might be the perfect choice for you. Genoa is a port city in northern Italy that has a rich maritime heritage and a vibrant artistic scene. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best things to do in Genoa, from exploring its medieval old town to admiring its stunning coastline. Whether you are interested in architecture, museums, or food, you will find something to suit your taste among the top tourist attractions in Genoa. Here are some of the top things to do in Genoa that you should not miss on your trip.
Looking for things to do in Genoa? Discover the best tourist attractions in Genoa:
1. Musei di Strada Nuova: A UNESCO World Heritage Site with three magnificent palaces and art collections.
2. Palazzo Reale: A stunning palace with lavish rooms, frescoes, paintings, and gardens.
3. Old City: The medieval heart of Genoa, full of narrow streets, ancient buildings, churches, and shops.
4. Boccadasse: A picturesque fishing village with colorful houses and a pebbly beach.
5. Palazzo Bianco: One of the Musei di Strada Nuova, featuring works by Flemish, Spanish, and Italian artists.
6. Palazzo Rosso: Another one of the Musei di Strada Nuova, displaying portraits by Van Dyck and other paintings.
7. Castello d’Albertis: A neo-Gothic castle with a museum of ethnographic artifacts from around the world.
8. Spianata Castelletto: A leafy lookout with panoramic views over the city and the sea.
9. Primo Piano: A gallery of modern and contemporary art, often focusing on photography.
10. Cattedrale di San Lorenzo: Genoa’s zebra-striped Gothic-Romanesque cathedral, dating back to the 12th century.
11. Acquario di Genova: The largest aquarium in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, with more than 600 species of sea creatures.
12. Galata Museo del Mare: A museum of the sea that showcases Genoa’s maritime heritage and culture.
13. Palazzo San Giorgio: A mural-covered building from the 13th century that was once a prison and a bank.
14. Via Garibaldi: A narrow street lined with splendid palaces from the 16th and 17th centuries.
15. Piazza de Ferrari: The main square of Genoa, surrounded by elegant buildings and a fountain.
16. Basilica di Santa Maria di Castello: A Romanesque church with a cloister, a crypt, and a tower.
17. Porta Soprana: The best-preserved medieval gate in Genoa, near the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.
18. Villa Durazzo Pallavicini: A 19th-century villa with a botanical garden, a lake, a temple, and a mausoleum.
19. Museo di Sant’Agostino: A museum of medieval art and sculpture housed in a former convent.
20. Lanterna di Genova: The iconic lighthouse of Genoa, standing at 77 meters high and dating back to the 12th century.
21. Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi: A scenic promenade along the cliffs of Nervi, offering views of the sea and the coast.
22. Museo d’Arte Orientale Edoardo Chiossone: A museum of Asian art, featuring a collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and weapons.
23. Parco Avventura Genova Righi: An adventure park with zip lines, rope bridges, and climbing courses for all ages.
24. Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato: A baroque church with a richly decorated interior and a dome painted by Giovanni Battista Carlone.
25. Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria: A natural history museum with exhibits on animals, fossils, minerals, and plants.
26. Museo del Risorgimento: A museum dedicated to the history of the Italian unification movement and its protagonists.
27. Palazzo Ducale: A former residence of the doges of Genoa, now a cultural center and an exhibition venue.
28. Basilica di San Siro: The oldest church in Genoa, founded in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 11th century.
29. Museo Navale: A naval museum with models, instruments, uniforms, and memorabilia related to seafaring.
30. Piazza Matteotti: A square with the Palazzo Ducale, the Palazzo della Meridiana, and the Church of San Matteo.
31. Museo di Palazzo Reale: A museum that displays the furniture, paintings, tapestries, and ceramics of the Palazzo Reale.
32. Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea: A church with a baroque facade and a rich interior with paintings by Rubens and Guido Reni.
33. Monumento a Cristoforo Colombo: A monument to Christopher Columbus, located near the train station and the port.
34. Basilica di Carignano: A domed church with a neoclassical facade and a marble altar.
35. Museo Luzzati: A museum of the works of Emanuele Luzzati, a famous illustrator, animator, and scenographer.
36. Museo Diocesano: A museum of religious art and artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, vestments, and manuscripts.
37. Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno: A monumental cemetery with impressive tombs, statues, and chapels.
38. Museo del Tesoro della Cattedrale di San Lorenzo: A museum of the treasures of the cathedral, including relics, silverware, and the Sacro Catino, a dish believed to be the Holy Grail.
39. Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Villa Croce: A museum of contemporary art, housed in a 19th-century villa with a park.
40. Abbazia di San Fruttuoso: A medieval abbey located in a secluded bay, reachable by boat or hiking trail.
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