Italian adventure. 10 things that we did in Genoa

We’ve been to Genoa last winter, bust just passing by when we got back from Pisa. We stopped in Bocadasse, the little fishermen neighborhood with colorful houses, we took a few pictures and promised that we’ll be back in the summer. So when we planned our trip to Italy we had to include Genoa. We went with some friends by car for a weekend and while they went to the beach we went to explore the city. Genoa is part of the Italian Riviera and is considered a historical port city, having various tourist attractions and is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. But since there are so many things to say about this city we would have to write a long post, we’re just gonna recommend the things we were able to visit in 2 days.

Piazza Ferrari, the most important one in the city. From here you can easily go to the most important sights, making you believe that most roads go here. There are a few terraces where you can relax with a coffee or gelato and enjoy the huge fountain with pink water in the middle of the square. If you’re in the mood for opera and ballet, there’s the Carlo Felice Theatre. From here you can walk along Via XX September, the main shopping street.
Palazzo Ducale. You find it near Piazza Ferrari, it was built in 1250, an old residence for the Genovese doges, now a museum. When we visited it there was an exhibition of the German expressionists artists Kirchner,Heckel,Schmidt-Rottluf si Nolde, also known as the Die Brucke movement. We were impressed by the paintings and the fact that there was a free audio guide from where we found out more about the artists’ lives was an added bonus. From the 25^th of September there’s another impressive exhibition with paintings by Van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, Modigliani, Degas, Monet, Manet, Degas, Picasso, Gauguin, Cézanne, Renoir. If you’re in Genoa this autumn, you should not miss it!
Palazzo Reale. This was one of the palaces that impressed us the most, decorated in the Rococo style, still having the original furniture. You can admire the various frescas and paintings and in room you have little boards explaining everything in the room.
Via Garibaldi, located in the historic center of the city, dating back from 1550, now being an UNESCO site heritage. On this street you can find many old palazzo, most of then transformed in museums.
The historic city center. You can’t do much here but get lost on the streets. They are very narrow and walking through the old buildings you feel like you’re trapped in a maze. You should wear comfortable shoes because this part of the city is situated on a hill and you’ll have to climb a lot.
The Old Harbor and Port, having a many restaurants, it’s the ideal place for relaxation. We visited the Neptune, a replica of an old Spanish ship from the XVIIth century and the National Museum of Antarctica. There’s also La Lanterna, the oldest lighthouse in the city, but unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit.
The Genoa Aquarium, the biggest one in Italy and one of the biggest in Europe. You’ll find it in the Old Harbor and you can see here may marine creatures, dolphins, penguins, turtles and is divided in geographical areas so you can also see creatures from the tropical forests. It’s the ideal place for families with children.
Bocadasse is an old fishermen neighborhood with colorful houses. There’s a small beach, a few restaurants and photography lovers will appreciate this place the most.
San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Dome of Genoa, built in Vth century with a baroque and romanic style.
Porta Soprana, two 12^th century towers, once serving s the defense walls for the city, close tho the house where Christopher Columbus was born.

Lastly, don’t forget about the food, try the traditional Genovese cuisine. If you’re pasta lovers, you have probably had pesto. Well, Genoa is the place where pesto was created and everywhere you go you’ll find pasta with fresh pesto. But if you’re hungry, don’t forget that most places are closed between 2-5 and choose carefully (the tourist restaurants are always opened but they are a little overpriced). Another thing you have to try is the Genovese focaccia, simple, with olive oil but extremely delicious. And if you’re not in the mood to visit anything, you can always go to the beach. The sea is waiting for you.