Travel guide Genova
Liguria so close
Genoa is the capital of the Italian province of
Liguria. It is located on the Ligurian Sea in northern Italy. The easiest and fastest way to travel to Genoa from Germany is by plane. The Christopher Columbus Airport is just over seven kilometers outside of the city. From there, you can reach your wonderful accommodation or holiday home by taxi or public transport. You can travel environmentally friendly by train to your holidays in the south. Direct connections from Munich will comfortably take you to Genoa by the Mediterranean.
The journey to your private accommodation, apartment or holiday home by car takes about seven hours from southern Germany. From Berlin or Northwest Germany, it is a good eleven hours drive to your holiday accommodation. Here, a stopover in
Switzerland is recommended. The cheapest option is long-distance buses, while the most flexible option locally is your own car. Last but not least, your travel destination has one of the largest ports on the Mediterranean. Your journey to one of the most beautiful regions of Europe can begin.
City by the sea - City of winds
The climate in Genoa is Mediterranean temperate. On the coast, the Mediterranean weather is mixed with influences of the Atlantic westerlies. The sea and the wind are omnipresent in the region. The Mistral (Italian: Maestrale) and the Tramontana blow from the north and bring cold air. However, in spring and autumn, a pleasantly warm south wind usually blows. It is best to rent your holiday accommodation or holiday home in the spring, as significantly more rain falls in autumn. Enjoy the mild weather of Liguria with a coffee outdoors, on the balcony of your apartment or in a piazza in the heart of one of Europe's most historic cities.
The legacy of the Republic
Genoa was once a powerful city-state and a maritime and trading power that could compete with the Venetians. The splendor of many historic buildings still bears witness to its great past. Start your city break with a tour of the Old Port, Porto Antico. If you choose a reasonably priced holiday apartment or holiday home from private in the center, then the famous sights of the former Republic of Genoa are directly in your vicinity. The Porto Antico was redesigned a few years ago by the Genoese star architect Renzo Piano, creating a direct connection from the Old Port to the Old Town.
Numerous restored palaces line up along Via di San Lorenzo, Via Garibaldi, and Via Balbi. The most significant historical palaces in the province of Genoa are Palazzo San Giorgio, Palazzo Bianco, and Palazzo Rosso, which was recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as the 13th-century Palazzo Ducale, the former seat of government of the Doge. The church power presented itself in the Romanesque Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, the construction of which began around 1100. However, the church was not completed until the end of the 15th century. The Piazza de Ferrari is a central square in the heart of the Old Town - a pivotal point with a monumental fountain in its center.
A tour of the city would not be complete without a visit to the harbor. After all, Genoa was a great naval power. Overlooking the old lighthouse La Lanterna. It is one of the most famous sights and at the same time, the landmark of Genoa. The lighthouse dates back to 1128 in its origins and was therefore already a historical building in Christopher Columbus's time. Speaking of Columbus - near the Porta Soprana is the former house of the great Genoese sailor and discoverer of the New World. The Via Garibaldi is perfect for strolling and shopping. Many activities near your apartment await you.
From the Middle Ages to the Modern Era
In addition to the palaces, Genoa attracts with numerous exciting museums close to your holiday home or apartment. The Museo d'arte contemporanea Villa Croce and the Galleria d'Arte Moderna appeal to friends of the classical modernism of the last century and contemporary art. We go back in time in the Frugone collection in Villa Grimaldi Fassio. The house displays paintings from the transition from the 19th to the 20th century.
In the Galata - Museo del mare, it turns maritime again. Galata is the largest marine museum in the entire Mediterranean. It is located in the Darsena district, where ships were built during the Republic's time. In contrast, a small gem is the Museo d'arte orientale Edoardo Chiossone. The house displays a collection of paintings, masks, ceramics, and other art objects and weapons from Japan, China, and Thailand. Bibliophiles will find Italy's oldest bookstore in the province of Genoa. Libreria Bozzi opened its doors in 1810 in a prime location near the Mediterranean water.
Pesto alla Genovese and more
In Italy, pasta is traditionally a starter. The most famous variation from Genoa is Pasta alla Genovese, with a pesto made from lots of basil, olive oil, and cashew nuts. Other pasta dishes include stuffed pansotti with chard, egg, and quark, ravioli in hundreds of variations, or corzetti. Another popular starter in Genoa is minestrone. The vegetable soup originally comes from the poor people's cuisine, the cucina povera. Today it is available in noble and refined variations with meat filling.
Enjoy all the delicacies of the Liguria region in the numerous restaurants and trattorias around your holiday apartment or holiday home in the heart of Genoa. Typical main courses of regional culinary art are tripe al verde, stuffed veal breast (cima), and the fish soup burridda made from stockfish (baccalà). If you like it sweet and fatty at the end, try latte dolce - a dough made from milk, egg, and flour that is deep-fried in oil.
Vacation in Genova with the whole famiglia
Family is important in Italy. The locals love their offspring, and the family (famiglia) comes first. It is therefore not surprising that you will find numerous
family-friendly apartments and affordable holiday homes in and around the port city of Genoa. Excursions for the whole family are also plenty. The most popular attraction for children is the aquarium, which is the second-largest in Europe after the Valencia Aquarium. The more than two-hour tour takes you past tropical rainforests, seawater tanks with sharks, turtles, penguins, and many more animals. The aquarium attracts with nearly 10,000 square meters of visible exhibition space.
Excursions on the Italian Riviera
The region is divided into the Riviera di Ponente in the west and the Riviera di Levante in the east, starting from the port city of Genoa. There are numerous beaches along the Ligurian coast, providing the perfect balance to the hustle and bustle. The town of
Sestri Levante on the Riviera di Levante has a particularly picturesque old town, which extends to
La Spezia. From Monte Castello, you can enjoy a fantastic view over the town and the Porto Bello peninsula with the convent there. The town of
Santa Margherita Ligure is famous for its landscape, featured in various movie sets. On the western Riviera di Ponente, the counterpart to the Riviera di Levante (where the sun rises), you will find more charming small towns and the port city of Savona, suitable for another
city trip. Wherever you book your accommodation, such as in Moneglia, you will experience a fantastic stay in Italy and succumb to the pleasant dolce vita. Your unforgettable holiday as a traveler with your private apartment and pool at an affordable price can begin.