Genoa in 3 Days: Old Town, Palaces and the Harbour

Begin at the fountain between the old centre and the nineteenth-century city. The square puts Palazzo Ducale close at hand; from there, walk downhill into the narrower streets around San Lorenzo.

The former seat of Genoa’s rulers now hosts exhibitions and cultural events. Explore the public courtyards, then choose an exhibition if it interests you; this need not become a second major museum visit before Palazzo Rosso.

Look for the cathedral’s striped façade and carved portals before going inside. It sits on the walking route through the historic centre, making it an easy stop between Palazzo Ducale and the old trading streets.

Make this the main art visit of the day: paintings and decorated rooms inside one of Genoa’s grand palaces. Walk along Via Garibaldi afterwards to appreciate the wider setting of the Rolli palaces.

Finish the old-town circuit in this former trading square near the harbour. The raised church and surrounding lanes reveal a smaller-scale Genoa after Via Garibaldi’s palaces.

Genoa’s maritime museum is the strongest choice here for ships, navigation and the city’s seafaring history. Make it your main harbour visit, then walk through Porto Antico; the aquarium is an alternative for a different interest.

Choose the aquarium for marine life, especially on a family trip. It is a substantial visit in its own right, so treat it as an alternative to a long Galata visit rather than trying to rush both.

The Royal Palace adds grand interiors and a terrace to the harbour day. It is uphill from the waterfront on Via Balbi; visit before or after your main harbour attraction, depending on your ticket arrangements.

Take the train east to Genova Nervi and begin with the parks around the old villas. Combine the gardens with the Anita Garibaldi seafront promenade, then choose one or two of the nearby art museums below.

Villa Grimaldi Fassio houses paintings and sculpture from the Belle Époque. This is one of the choices within the Nervi parks: a compact art visit that pairs well with a longer walk beside the sea.

The modern art gallery occupies Villa Saluzzo Serra in the Nervi parks. Pick it if paintings are your priority, or swap it for the Wolfsoniana if you prefer design; there is no need to visit all three museums.

An alternative to another palace gallery for Japanese art and objects collected by Edoardo Chiossone. The museum sits in Villetta Di Negro, so combine it with the park and views above the centre.

Use this covered food market as a daytime stop to browse produce and get a feel for Genoese ingredients. It fits the first day with a short detour towards Via XX Settembre, rather than a separate cross-city outing.