Genoa, Italy

Genoa is a city in Italy, the capital of the province of Genoa and the Liguria region. The Latin name of the city, Genoa (Genua), comes from the name of the mythical city founded by the two-headed god Janus (Giano), the protector of sailors and metal money. This is why the city is so "two-faced": it looks both towards the sea and its inland areas. Many agree that Genoa is a city of contradictions, but this does not prevent people from loving and admiring it. **Climate** Genoa has a typical Mediterranean subtropical climate with hot summers, where the average temperature is +25 °C, and quite cool winters (from +5 to +11 °C). ## About the Port of Genoa, Italy Genoa, Italy is a popular cruise departure port, offering access to incredible destinations. ## Main Attractions **San Lorenzo Cathedral** This majestic building appears to be a grand optical illusion due to the black-and-white striped façade made of marble - a stunning sight even by Italian standards. The ancient Gothic cathedral was consecrated in the early 12th century, and the two bell towers and domes were added only in the 16th century. Inside the cathedral, above the central entrance, there is a lunette with paintings of the Last Judgment - a work by an unknown Byzantine artist from the early 14th century. In 1941, it miraculously survived when a British bomb hit the building but did not explode. San Lorenzo Cathedral is located in the square of the same name in the Old Town. It is open daily from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM. **Piazza Ferrari** This is the central square of the city and, of course, the most beautiful and popular in Genoa. It is surrounded by numerous historical buildings and monuments: the Doge's Palace, the Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts, the neoclassical Carlo Felice Theatre, a monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Palazzo Ducale, and the closed-to-visitors Palazzo della Borsa, built in the Art Nouveau style and once the stock exchange of the entire country. From Piazza Ferrari begins the main shopping street of the city - Via XX Settembre. **Doge's Palace** The construction of a suitable building for the city council meetings began in 1298, when, having achieved a decisive victory over its main rival at sea - Venice - Genoa felt particularly strong. Here, in 1339, the first doge of the city - Simone de Boccanegra - took office. Thus, the palace became known as the Doge's Palace. The palace has burned, been rebuilt, and expanded until it acquired its current appearance. Today, this vast palace resembles more of a mansion in the city center than a typical Italian palazzo. The doges lived here until 1797, succeeding one another until Napoleon came and abolished the position. Today, the spacious rooms of the palace are usually occupied by exhibitions. **Porta Soprana** These gates once served as the main entrance to medieval Genoa. Since then, the city has expanded significantly, and the Porta Soprana, built in the 12th century, now finds itself almost in the center. In the 19th century, to prevent the gate towers from standing idle, they were adapted for use as a prison. However, this was only for a short time, as such an ancient structure required extensive restoration and repair. Today, Porta Soprana is one of the centers of city life. On warm evenings, residents and visitors gather here to listen to the brass band. Additionally, it is completely free to climb the towers of the gates. The view from them over the city is, by the way, wonderful. **Lanterna Lighthouse** The Lanterna Lighthouse (from the Italian lanterna - lantern) is an important maritime landmark and one of the main symbols of Genoa. It was built in 1128, has been rebuilt and destroyed many times, and acquired its current appearance (which it successfully maintains to this day) in 1543. Originally, it was erected on a peninsula jutting into the sea. Over time, the sea receded, and today the lighthouse stands on "solid" land. The height of the Lanterna is 117 meters. If you climb it, you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Genoese harbor. However, to enjoy this view, you will need to climb 375 steps. Inside the Lanterna, there is also a museum that tells the glorious maritime history of Genoa and its world-famous lighthouse. ## What to See **Old Port** The Old Port of Genoa is located about a 12-minute walk west of the central square. It is also home to many well-preserved historical buildings, among which the cotton warehouses are particularly interesting. The Old Port is one of the entertainment centers of Genoa. Here you will find the city aquarium, a botanical garden, a maritime museum, a replica of a pirate ship, and a port crane that lifts a glass cabin to a height of 60 meters, offering panoramic views of the city and the harbor. **Genoa Aquarium** The long blue building of the aquarium, rising above the water, houses over 5000 marine inhabitants, maintained in six million liters of water. A huge barge is moored at the end of the aquarium building, which takes visitors back to the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries and introduces them to the tropical forests of Madagascar. According to experts, the Aquarium, built in 1992, attracts the largest number of tourists to Genoa each year. The Genoa Aquarium is located on the Spinola Bridge of the Old Town. It is open from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM from Monday to Wednesday and Friday, until 10:00 PM on Thursday, until 8:30 PM on weekends from September to June, and until 11:00 PM in July and August. The price for an adult ticket is 24 euros, and for a child, it is 15 euros. **National Gallery at Palazzo Spinola** The mansion built in the 16th century belonged to the Spinola family, one of the most powerful dynasties of the republic. The National Gallery located here has an extensive collection of Italian and Flemish Renaissance art, which perfectly complements the stunning architecture of the palace. Palazzo Spinola is located at Piazza Superiore di Pellicceria and is open for visits from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM from Tuesday to Saturday and from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday. **Old Town** The real face of Genoese life can be found in the labyrinths of the Old Town. It is always bustling with the cries of merchants, filled with the aromas of coffee, street food, perfumes, and the unique Ligurian Pesto. The term "Caruggi" refers to the narrow alleys typical of the Ligurian Riviera. It is less commonly used to describe streets and even squares. In the Middle Ages, these passageways helped people move quickly around the city during defenses against pirate raids. Until the official ban in 1958, the alleys housed entrances to brothels. Via Garibaldi is filled with shops and street musicians and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you will find palaces such as Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Turzi, which today serve as exhibition galleries. **Biosphere Botanical Garden** The botanical garden in Genoa is located in a unique place. A twenty-meter glass sphere was built for it, which mimics the Earth. Inside, the conditions of the Amazon rainforest have been recreated, where visitors can admire exotic plants and see wild animals in a nearly natural environment. It is essentially a giant greenhouse. The sphere, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, was erected to celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus, illustrating the route of the great navigator. **Albaro Beach** Since ancient times, Albaro has been a retreat for the rich, talented, and famous, including Byron, Dickens, and many others. To this day, this area remains extremely prestigious: it is filled with luxurious palaces and villas, both old and new. Because swimming is impossible in the city center-unless in pools-locals and tourists choose Albaro Beach as the best option for bathing "as close to the center as possible." And indeed: it’s not far to go, the sea is quite clean, and there are plenty of nearby places to grab a cheap bite to eat. Even the hustle and bustle around can be a plus: it’s full of urban fashionistas with stunning figures in eye-catching swimsuits and athletes with well-developed muscles and even tans. ## Popular Excursions **Genoa City Tour** The best way to start exploring Genoa is with a city tour: you will see Porto Antico (Old Port), which is especially convenient for those arriving on a cruise ship, the Aquarium, the glass sphere of the Biosphere, Palazzo San Giorgio, the church of San Pietro built on top of shops, the Cathedral with the relics of John the Baptist and the richest Treasury, Piazza Ferrari, the Doge's Palace, the opera house, the stock exchange, the gates of Porta Sopra, Columbus's house, the millennium-old church of San Donato with masterpieces of painting, and much more. **You can find a more detailed list of excursions and their prices after booking your cruise in the "Client's Personal Account".** ## Cruise Lines from Genoa, Italy Several cruise lines offer departures from this port with various itinerary options: - MSC Cruises - Costa Cruises - Royal Caribbean - Norwegian Cruise Line - Celebrity Cruises ## Best Time for a Cruise Plan your cruise from Genoa, Italy during the optimal season for your chosen destinations. ## How to Get to the Port Information on transport and logistics for the cruise port of Genoa, Italy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Which cruise lines depart from Genoa, Italy? Several major companies operate from the port, including MSC, Costa, and Royal Caribbean. ### How to get to the cruise port in Genoa, Italy? The port is accessible by car, taxi, and public transport. ### Can excursions be booked in advance? Yes, we recommend booking popular excursions in advance.