Genoa

One of Italy's most interesting, but overlooked cities is Genoa, with its delightful waterfront promenades, a collection of classic old buildings, monumental statues, and my favorite attraction of the city, a vast pedestrian zone, one of Europe's largest, making a delightful place to go for a stroll.

Genova has an amazing number of these little side alleys. They go around and up and down. Some of them are very quiet, like this one. Others are lined with shops and filled with people walking around. It's got so much character, you could easily spend days in the maze of alleys of Genoa.

Read about Genoa's best pedestrian street.

You're about to see that Genoa is a wonderful place with many exciting attractions, and yet it's not in the top-20 most-visited places in Italy, even though it's the country's sixth-largest city with a population just over half a million, Genoa is not one of those cities that's overcrowded with tourists, which makes it a delightful place to visit.

There are many enjoyable things to see and do in Genoa, for example, along the waterfront, you've got the beautiful marina, there's a maritime museum reflecting Genoa's long history, and the largest aquarium in Italy, one of the city's most popular attractions.

Among the favorite exhibits are the manatees and the penguins, along with 15,000 other animals representing 400 different species in a beautiful building designed by the famous local architect, Renzo Piano who also designed this crane that can lift you up 40 meters for a spectacular aerial view of Genoa. Another great view is from Spianata Castelletto, with a commanding view over the whole city.

Pastel-colored buildings are typical of this region of Liguria, and one place you find a lot of them is along via Garibaldi, lined with historic palaces that are UNESCO World Heritage sites, ranking among the city's top visitor attractions.

Nearby is Palazzo Reale, the Royal Palace museum, constructed in the mid-17th century, complete with frescoes, stucco paintings, sculptures, decorative objects and furnishings that belonged to the noble families who lived there.

One of the great aspects of Genoa is the pedestrian zone. It's so enjoyable to walk around without any cars getting in the way, down lanes that are lined with shops, and cafes and restaurants, making a great place for people-watching.

 And there are many quiet side lanes, without shops and fancy attractions, but an authentic down-to-earth feeling to them. This is where the local people do their business, talk with friends, and live upstairs in the many apartments that you find in this central core of the city.

Genoa is densely populated, with a downtown about two kilometers across, packed with commercial and residential buildings, and those little lanes running between them. About half-dozen of those pedestrian lanes, outlined in red, are the main streets that you would enjoy exploring.

It's a safe place, but you might get a little lost, so it does help to have a map as you're wandering around. It's also wonderful to explore at night, where you'll find many dozens of outdoor restaurants.

Towards the end of one of the main streets, you'll reach an indoor collection of restaurants called the Oriental Market, a popular gathering spot with many different choices of cuisine.

With a population of approximately 580,000 people, it is the sixth-largest city in Italy. Genoa is known for its rich history, including its important role in the maritime trade during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, as well as its significant contributions to art and architecture, such as the Palazzi dei Rolli, a group of palaces recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city also features several museums, such as the Galata Museo del Mare, which focuses on maritime history.

In addition to its cultural attractions, Genoa is a hub for transportation and industry, and serves as a gateway to other destinations along the Ligurian coast, including the nearby towns of Camogli, Portofino, and the Cinque Terre. Genoa is at the center of the Italian Riviera, with towns stretching east and west.

Columbus

Christopher Columbus was born in or near Genoa around 1451. His family was involved in the maritime trade, which was a significant part of Genoa's economy at the time. Growing up in a maritime city, Columbus developed a strong understanding of navigation and shipbuilding. He likely spent his early years working on Genoese merchant ships, gaining firsthand experience of the sea and its challenges.  

The city's connections to other Mediterranean ports and its exposure to different cultures likely fueled his desire to discover new lands and trade routes. Upon his successful discovery of the Americas, Columbus donated one-tenth of his income to the Bank of Saint George in Genoa to help relieve taxation on food.

The exact location of his birthplace remains uncertain, however, there is a house in Genoa that has been claimed to be Columbus's childhood home. Regardless of its authenticity, the house in Genoa has become a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can tour the building, which has been restored to reflect its historical appearance.

There is a lot more to see in this beautiful city, with its hundred pedestrian lanes, but this is only been a brief summary of the wonderful city of Genoa. When you've finished your visit, there are many other great towns to explore throughout northern Italy, all of them easily reached by train.

Map of Genoa, main streets, piazzas, places