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Expect winding streets oozing with vintage charm on a holiday to Genoa.

City breaks to Genoa

Genoa, a city in the Liguria region of northern Italy, is a hidden gem for tourists. It's loaded with traditional charm, featuring centuries-old palaces, stunning art galleries, and a maze-like medieval city centre with narrow alleys and winding streets full of pizzerias.

The history

Genoa's had a wild ride through history. From the 11th to 17th centuries, it was a major self-governed maritime republic. Then, it was a big player in the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s. Fast forward to 1992, after years of struggle, the city got a major glow-up to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's first voyage. It was named European Capital of Culture in 2004, and is still Italy's busiest port today.

Exploring Via Garibaldi

This iconic street, packed with Insta-worthy palaces, is the place to be if you want to vibe with the rich history while checking out cool art exhibits at places like Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Bianco. It's the perfect blend of old-school charm and modern flair, making it a must-see spot for anyone looking to soak up some culture and snap some pics.

At a Glance

  • The birthplace of Pesto
  • Explore the medieval city centre
  • Wander down Via Garibaldi

Best time to go to Genoa

Genoa's weather is a bit of a rollercoaster, with both sunny days and rainy ones. July and August are the hottest months, with the temperature lingering in the high twenties. January and February are the only months when it dips below double digits. You can expect rain anytime, but November really brings the downpour.

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Top things to see and do in Genoa

Need a chill escape from the city? Boccadasse is only a 15-minute drive away. This quaint fishing village has a cute pebble beach, colourful houses, cosy family-run restaurants and an ice-cream spot that's been a local fave since 1927.

San Fruttuoso is around an hour’s drive along the coast, and its pebbled beach and clingfilm-clear waters are backdropped by a distinctive feature – a striking 10th-century abbey, which sits right on the snug bay. A word to the wise though – this beach gets very crowded in the summer months when the sun’s out.

Fine sands and glass-like waters have helped Baia del Silenzio into the list of Italy’s top 10 beaches, and the backdrop is an added bonus. Pastel-coloured houses are pulled right up to the sands, which leaves the water shimmering in a mix of red, yellow and orange when the sun beams down on it.

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The Mercato Orientale Genoa, or MOG, is a massive indoor market in the city centre. It's packed with stalls selling fresh produce, meats, pasta and awesome foodie gift sets.

Fiumara Shopping Centre is just a quick 15-minute ride from town. It's got three floors loaded with local labels and big-name brands like Pandora and Timberland.

Via Roma is narrow in size but stacked with designer labels, featuring big names like Louis Vuitton and Michael Kors. It's right next to Galleria Mazzini, a fancy indoor shopping spot that's loaded with high-end fashion boutiques.

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Just around the corner from the main square, Piazza de Ferrari, is the smaller and more vibrant Piazza delle Erbe. The square gets lit on weekends, with young people flocking to the bars and restaurants that stay open until the early hours.

Piazza Lavagna is the spot if you’re looking to enjoy late-night cocktails, fine wines, and tasty small plates in a relaxed vibe on the square.

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Pesto originates from Genoa and the traditional recipe, known as pesto alla genovese, includes basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and olive oil. It's a classic Italian sauce that's loved worldwide for its fresh and vibrant flavours and is used in many ways including as a topping or mixed into pasta.

This is a crispy, savoury pancake made from chickpea flour, olive oil, and water. Perfect for snacking or sharing with friends, this Italian street food is seriously addictive and pairs perfectly with a cold drink.

This dish is normally served as an appetiser. A piece of veal is stuffed with a mix of veggies, eggs, and herbs, then slow-cooked to perfection.

This herby bread’s known all over the world, but it’s the Genoese who claim it as their own. It’s served in various settings, including as a side or a snack, and it’s even served up for breakfast in these parts.

As a port city, seafood’s plentiful in these parts, with this dish among the most popular. It’s served up in chip shops all over the old town, where it’s perfectly fried in a light and dry batter.

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