Tour guides Italy > Genoa

5 ideas for guided tours in Genoa

• Corso Italia

  

  The most beautiful promenade in Genoa is found in the residential district of Albaro. Stretching for more than two kilometers, this leisurely walkway leads from the Foce neighborhood to the village of Boccadasse.

  Corso Italia was built at the beginning of the 20th century, close to the steep cliffs overlooking the sea from the hillside. In 1935, it was renovated with elegant flowerbeds, palm trees, and small fountains.

  Along the way, you’ll find public beaches, cafés, and restaurants. Notable landmarks include the Abbey of San Giuliano, dating back to 1282, the Punta Vagno lighthouse, the San Giuliano fortress, and the famous Nuovo Lido seaside resort, once the venue for Miss Italy selections in the 1950s. It is here, in this warm atmosphere, that the people of Genoa gather.

• Via Garibaldi

  

  Formerly known as Strada Nuova, Via Garibaldi is one of the city’s most iconic and popular avenues. It was built in the mid-16th century to create, north of the city, a welcoming area for wealthy merchants and distinguished visitors.

  Here, the system of Rolli palaces was established, requiring aristocratic families to host prestigious guests in their residences. You’ll find twelve magnificent Renaissance buildings competing in ornamentation and beautifully decorated façades. The most famous include the Palazzo Doria Tursi, Palazzo Bianco, and Palazzo Rosso.

  To make the most of your walk, consider hiring a tour guide in Genoa. They will share the legendary history of these places across the centuries.

• Boccadasse

  

  Boccadasse is a former fishing village located just on the outskirts of Genoa. It can be reached after a 3 km walk along Corso Italia. The origins of this neighborhood date back to the Middle Ages, when a group of fishermen, fearing shipwreck, decided to settle here and build a small hamlet.

  What you find is a charming little bay with pastel-colored houses clinging to the cliffside. The village is crisscrossed with pretty cobbled alleys lined with picturesque buildings, and even offers a small pebble beach where you can pause and relax.

  The atmosphere is truly magical, and strolling here feels like pure enchantment. In the evening, when the heat softens and the sun sets, sit down on a terrace facing the sea and enjoy a taste of the Italian dolce vita.

• Port

  

  The port of Genoa is the largest industrial maritime hub in Italy, stretching over 20 kilometers.

  Here you’ll find 2 lighthouses, 6 marinas, a massive aquarium, several museums dedicated to the world of the sea, countless bars and restaurants, as well as ferry terminals, shipyards, and thousands of containers.

  Head specifically to the old port, beautifully and completely redeveloped—it has become one of the city’s most popular sites. Along a wide esplanade, people stroll from one attraction to another, discovering, for instance, former 17th-century customs warehouses now fully restored.

  You can also admire a reproduction of a 16th-century galleon, “Neptune,” which was used in Roman Polanski’s film *Pirates*. A visit to the Porto Antico wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the largest aquarium in Europe, and right next to it, the panoramic elevator with its metal frame, from the top of which you’ll enjoy a spectacular view over the Genoese metropolis.

• Palazzo Ducale

  

  The Palazzo Ducale, whose construction began in 1298, became the seat of government and the residence of the Doges in 1339, a role it held until the end of the 18th century.

  It stands in the old town, facing Piazza de Ferrari. Over the centuries, it was restored, renovated, and expanded many times, evolving from Renaissance to Neoclassical style.

  After the fire that devastated it in 1777, the opportunity was taken to highlight its majestic marbles, still visible today. In the 1980s, a monumental architectural project lasting more than ten years brought further extensions to the palace, transforming it into the country’s first major cultural center.

  Throughout the year, this space hosts multicultural events, art exhibitions, concerts, festivals, and fairs.