Genoa (Genova), the capital of Liguria, is a major port rising in tiers between the sea and the hills. Capital of a maritime republic for more than seven centuries, until 1797, it has kept one of the largest medieval historic centres in Europe, Renaissance palaces listed by UNESCO and a redeveloped harbour. What to see, how to get there and when to go based on official normals: here are the essentials for visiting Genoa.
Petrarch nicknamed it la Superba, « the proud one ». The city financed the kings of Spain, was home to one of the oldest known public banks, the Bank of Saint George (founded in 1407), and was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Today it is best explored on foot, between dark alleys, squares and viewpoints.
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EntrySchengen area, no visa for up to 90 days for US and UK citizens (travel.state.gov, GOV.UK)
Sightsthe historic centre and its caruggi, Via Garibaldi and the Rolli palaces, San Lorenzo cathedral, Porto Antico, the Lanterna, Boccadasse
Best timespring and September; October and November are the wettest months
What to see in Genoa: the must-sees
The historic centre and its caruggi
Covering 113 hectares (279 acres), Genoa’s historic centre is one of the largest and densest in Europe. It is a maze of narrow alleys, the caruggi, which suddenly open onto small squares, between old shops, churches and tall façades. The district is best discovered without a fixed plan: go in from the harbour or from Piazza De Ferrari and let yourself wander. As in any big city, keep an eye on your belongings in the busy alleys.
Via Garibaldi and the Rolli palaces
In the 16th century, the great families laid out the Strade Nuove, including today’s Via Garibaldi, lined with palaces. The Rolli were official lists of residences required to host the Republic’s distinguished guests. Forty-two of these palaces are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On Via Garibaldi, Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Tursi make up the Strada Nuova museums; Palazzo Rosso preserves the furniture and collections of the Brignole-Sale family. Some palaces only open on special days: check the programme on the city’s official website.
San Lorenzo cathedral and Piazza De Ferrari
San Lorenzo cathedral, consecrated in 1118, is recognisable by its façade of white marble and dark stone stripes; building work stretched over several centuries, up to the intervention of the architect Galeazzo Alessi in the 16th century. A few steps away, Piazza De Ferrari, the main square with its monumental fountain, is lined by Palazzo Ducale, the former seat of the Republic’s government, and the Carlo Felice theatre, the city’s opera house.
Porto Antico and the aquarium
The old port was redeveloped for the 1992 Expo, which celebrated the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s voyage. Here you will find the Aquarium of Genoa, the largest in Italy, opened to the public in 1993, the Biosfera, a glass sphere designed by Renzo Piano, and the Galata, a maritime museum. The waterfront can be reached on foot from the historic centre.
The Lanterna
Standing 77 m (253 ft) tall and visible, according to Wikipedia, from more than 30 km (19 mi) away, the Lanterna is the harbour lighthouse and, with the fountain in Piazza De Ferrari, the symbol of the city. It rises west of the Porto Antico, among the port facilities; check visiting arrangements before you go.
Viewpoints: Castelletto and the heights
Genoa is built on a slope. Viewpoints are reached by steps, zigzagging lanes (the crêuze), public lifts and funiculars. The Castelletto viewpoint, above the historic centre, offers one of the best-known views over the rooftops and the harbour. On another hill, the Castello d’Albertis, a 19th-century neo-Gothic castle, houses a museum of world cultures.
Boccadasse, Nervi and the villas
East of the centre, Boccadasse is a former fishing village with colourful houses around a small pebble beach. Further on, Nervi has its seafront promenade. The city also has many villas, such as the Villa del Principe, built for Admiral Andrea Doria, and the Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini and its park. To spend more time by the sea, the Cinque Terre lie further east along the same Ligurian coast.
Eating in Genoa
Genoa is the home of pesto, focaccia and farinata (a chickpea-flour flatbread). The Mercato Orientale, the covered market in the centre, is a good place to see local produce. In the caruggi, focaccia shops and small trattorias are part of the visit.
Genoa in 1 or 2 days: itinerary
Time
Day 1: the historic heart
Day 2: harbour and heights
Morning
Piazza De Ferrari, Palazzo Ducale, San Lorenzo cathedral
Porto Antico: aquarium or Galata
Midday
Caruggi, focaccia, Mercato Orientale
Waterfront, view of the Lanterna
Afternoon
Via Garibaldi and the Strada Nuova museums
Castelletto viewpoint or Castello d’Albertis
Evening
Stroll in the historic centre
Boccadasse at sunset
Indicative itinerary by Destination de Voyage. Check opening hours and days on the official websites.
When to go to Genoa
In spring (April to June) and in September. Summer is hot but moderated by the sea: an average high of 28.1 °C (83 °F) in August and 21.5 °C (71 °F) at night. Winter is mild for northern Italy (12.2 °C, or 54 °F, in the afternoon in January). Beware of autumn: October and November are by far the wettest months, with 151 mm (5.9 in) and 202 mm (8.0 in) on average.
Month
High °C (°F)
Low °C (°F)
Mean °C (°F)
Rain mm (in)
Rainy days
Verdict
January
12.2 (54)
6.1 (43)
9.0 (48)
70 (2.8)
5.3
⚠️ Mild, cool in the evening
February
12.7 (55)
6.5 (44)
9.6 (49)
55 (2.2)
4.4
⚠️ Mild
March
–
8.8 (48)
12.0 (54)
56 (2.2)
5.2
✅ Mild, spring
April
17.9 (64)
11.4 (53)
14.6 (58)
71 (2.8)
6.8
✅ Pleasant
May
–
–
18.4 (65)
–
–
✅ Ideal
June
24.8 (77)
18.8 (66)
21.9 (71)
48 (1.9)
4.3
✅ Ideal, warm
July
27.9 (82)
21.6 (71)
24.7 (76)
25 (1.0)
2.9
⚠️ Hot, the driest
August
28.1 (83)
21.5 (71)
24.9 (77)
59 (2.3)
4.0
⚠️ Hot
September
25.1 (77)
18.5 (65)
21.6 (71)
121 (4.8)
5.3
✅ Pleasant, more rain
October
20.5 (69)
14.7 (58)
17.6 (64)
151 (5.9)
7.2
❌ Very wet
November
16.0 (61)
10.3 (51)
13.0 (55)
202 (8.0)
8.8
❌ The wettest
December
13.2 (56)
7.1 (45)
10.0 (50)
88 (3.5)
7.0
⚠️ Cool, wet
WMO 1991-2020 normals for the Genova/Sestri station (WMO 16120, Sestri Ponente airport, 4 m), published by NOAA (NCEI). « – »: value not published in the source. Days with precipitation ≥ 1 mm. Verdict: Destination de Voyage assessment.
The temperature benchmarks on our Italy page (12 °C, or 54 °F, in January, 32 °C, or 90 °F, in August) are those of Rome Ciampino (WMO 1991-2020 normals: 12.0 °C in January, 31.6 °C in August). Genoa is at the same level in winter but about 4 °C (7 °F) cooler in August, thanks to the sea.
How many rainy days on a 3-day trip?
Scaling the average number of days with precipitation in each month to a three-day stay, you can expect about 0.3 days of rain in July and 0.9 in November. Even in autumn it does not rain every day, but the totals are high. Destination de Voyage calculation based on the WMO 1991-2020 normals for Genova/Sestri.
A city with mild nights
The gap between highs and lows stays small all year: from 5.7 °C (10.3 °F) in November to 6.6 °C (11.9 °F) in September. The sea smooths out variations: summer evenings stay warm and winter nights are rarely cold. Destination de Voyage calculation based on the same normals.
Month
Expected rainy days in 3 days
Day/night range
Difference from Rome (high)
January
0.5
6.1 °C (11.0 °F)
+0.2 °C (+0.4 °F)
February
0.5
6.2 °C (11.2 °F)
−0.3 °C (−0.5 °F)
March
0.5
–
–
April
0.7
6.4 °C (11.5 °F)
−0.9 °C (−1.6 °F)
May
–
–
–
June
0.4
6.0 °C (10.8 °F)
−3.3 °C (−5.9 °F)
July
0.3
6.3 °C (11.3 °F)
−3.1 °C (−5.6 °F)
August
0.4
6.6 °C (11.9 °F)
−3.5 °C (−6.3 °F)
September
0.5
6.6 °C (11.9 °F)
−1.6 °C (−2.9 °F)
October
0.7
5.8 °C (10.4 °F)
−1.7 °C (−3.1 °F)
November
0.9
5.7 °C (10.3 °F)
−0.9 °C (−1.6 °F)
December
0.7
6.1 °C (11.0 °F)
+0.5 °C (+0.9 °F)
Destination de Voyage calculation: days with precipitation × 3 / number of days in the month; high − low; Genoa high − Rome Ciampino high. Source: WMO 1991-2020 normals for Genova/Sestri and Rome Ciampino (NOAA).
By air: Cristoforo Colombo airport is built on an artificial peninsula at Sestri Ponente, west of the city. Check current routes on the airport’s official website. Volabus buses (AMT) link the airport with Piazza Principe and Brignole stations.
By train: Genova Piazza Principe is the main station; Genova Brignole serves the eastern side of the centre. According to Wikipedia, EuroCity trains link Genoa with Nice and Ventimiglia on one side and Milan on the other; timetables on the Trenitalia website.
By car: the city is narrow, steep and dense; park on the outskirts or at your hotel. Genoa combines by car or train with Milan, Turin or the Ligurian coast.
Getting around: on foot in the centre; buses, a metro line, lifts and funiculars for the heights (AMT network). If you buy a ticket from a kiosk or machine, validate it before your journey: inspectors issue on-the-spot fines (GOV.UK).
Where to stay
The historic centre and the Porto Antico let you do everything on foot; some alleys are dark and noisy at night, so check the exact location carefully. Around Brignole station and Via XX Settembre, the area is more open and convenient by train. Nervi suits those who prefer peace and the sea.
If you… then…: choose your plan
If you…
Then…
only have one day
De Ferrari, the cathedral, the caruggi, Via Garibaldi, Porto Antico
are travelling as a family
the aquarium, the Galata, the Biosfera at the Porto Antico
love art and palaces
the Strada Nuova museums, Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Ducale
plan an indoor plan B (museums, aquarium) and follow local weather alerts
Destination de Voyage summary.
Entry requirements, health and safety
US citizens: Italy is in the Schengen area. You may enter for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa; your passport must be valid at least 3 months beyond your stay, and you need proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented: fingerprints and a photo may be taken at your first entry, free of charge (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 21 October 2026).
ID: under Italian law, police can stop you at any time for an identity check: carry photo ID at all times (GOV.UK).
Health: UK travellers can use a GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare (GOV.UK); travel.state.gov advises being up to date on CDC-recommended vaccinations and recommends insurance that covers medical evacuation.
Theft: crime levels are generally low, but bag-snatching and pickpocketing are more common in city centres, at major tourist attractions and on public transport (GOV.UK); the State Department notes that break-ins of rented vehicles are common, so never leave luggage in a parked car.
Autumn rain: heavy rainfall can cause local flooding; monitor local media and weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities (GOV.UK).
Emergencies: 112 (police), 118 (ambulance), 115 (fire), according to GOV.UK; the State Department gives 112 for all emergencies.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to visit Genoa?
One day lets you see the historic centre, Via Garibaldi and the Porto Antico. Two days let you add a museum, the aquarium, a viewpoint and Boccadasse.
When is the best time to visit Genoa?
Spring and September. October and November are the wettest months (202 mm, or 8.0 in, in November) according to the WMO 1991-2020 normals for Genova/Sestri.
Is Genoa dangerous?
According to GOV.UK, crime levels in Italy are generally low, but bag-snatching and pickpocketing are more common in city centres, at tourist attractions and on public transport: watch your belongings in stations, on transport and in busy alleys.
How do you get to Genoa?
By air to Cristoforo Colombo airport, linked to the stations by the Volabus; or by train to Genova Piazza Principe or Genova Brignole, with services from Milan, Turin and along the coast towards Nice. Check current air routes on the airport’s official website.
What are the Rolli palaces?
Noble residences entered on official lists to host the guests of the Republic of Genoa. Forty-two of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, together with the Strade Nuove.
Our sources
WMO 1991-2020 normals, Genova/Sestri station (WMO 16120), file published by NOAA/NCEI, consulted 23 October 2026
Wikipedia (English): « Genoa », « Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport », « Aquarium of Genoa », « Genoa Cathedral », « Genova Piazza Principe railway station », consulted 23 October 2026
Destination de Voyage calculations: rainy days over 3 days, day/night range, difference from Rome Ciampino (WMO 1991-2020 normals, NOAA)
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