An itinerary to discover the thousand-year-old city, among the alleys of the historic center, traditional Ligurian cuisine and postcard-perfect maritime panoramas
With a history rich in maritime influences, Genoa offers an irresistible mix of art, culture, and local cuisine that will leave you breathless. Discover the thousand-year history of Genoa, an ancient maritime republic that dominated the Mediterranean.
Its narrow alleys, known as “caruggi,” and imposing medieval walls will transport you back in time, while its historic buildings reflect the opulence and grandeur of the past. Genoa is a city that fascinates because of its location between mountain and sea and its history as a crossroads of different cultures.
Genoa’s typical dishes
You cannot talk about Genoa without mentioning its local cuisine. The Ligurian culinary tradition is world-famous, with dishes such as trofie al pesto, focaccia, pansotti, Ligurian green cake, stoccafisso alla genovese, and delicious farinata that will make you fall in love. Enjoy fresh fish in the restaurants of the old port and don’t forget to try the famous walnut sauce, a typical condiment of the region.
Flavor and tradition come together in one dish: trofie with pesto. Pesto, the symbolic condiment of the region, is made with care and skill, using the highest quality ingredients, such as basil, extra virgin olive oil from the Ligurian Riviera, garlic, and a mixture of pine nuts, parmesan, pecorino and coarse salt.
The preparation of pesto also requires the use of traditional tools: the marble mortar and wooden pestle, which allow for the perfect texture and intensity of flavor. A plate of trofie with pesto is an explosion of scents and flavors that transports one directly on a food trip through the Ligurian lands.
Not far from Genoa is a pretty seaside village, Recco, where the thin, cheesy focaccia of the same name originates. Farinata is a tasty crispy focaccia made from chickpea flour. Experience the flavor explosion of Genoese cuisine with pansotti, a vegetable-filled pasta topped with a creamy walnut and cream sauce.
Ligurian torta verde is a delicacy made with herbs and cheese. Torta Pasqualina, so called because it is traditional for the Easter season, is another typical savory pie filled with chard, peas and artichokes and other fancy ingredients. Among the alleys of the historic center, you can find panissa, a polenta made with chickpea flour, cut into sticks and fried.
Meat dishes include cima genovese, a single dish of veal stuffed with eggs, peas, pine nuts, field herbs and cheese, and trippa alla genovese, a dish rich in flavor and tradition. Genoa is an ancient seaside town, and traditional seafood dishes such as stoccafisso alla genovese and fried anchovies and squid are not to be missed.
Traditional Ligurian desserts include pandolce, a kind of a panettone cake with raisins, pine nuts, almonds and candied fruit, and canestrelli, shortbread cookies in the shape of a daisy. These delicious delicacies of Genoa will take you on an unforgettable culinary journey to discover the authentic flavors of the city.
What to see in Genoa
Columbus’ House and Towers of Porta Soprana
Genoa is also the home of Christopher Columbus, the famous explorer who discovered the New World. You can visit his birthplace, now a museum dedicated to his extraordinary voyage and the discoveries he made. At the top of the steps, you will find the Porta Soprana Towers, which offer a panoramic view of the city and its thousand-year history.
Raffaele De Ferrari Square and Cathedral of San Lorenzo
Raffaele De Ferrari Square is Genoa’s main square, surrounded by important historic buildings and with a central fountain that makes it fascinating and striking. San Lorenzo Cathedral is one of Genoa’s most important places of worship, with a magnificent black-and-white striped facade and a rich religious history. It houses the relics of St. John the Baptist, the city’s patron saint, which arrived in Genoa at the end of the First Crusade.
Porto Antico and Aquarium of Genoa
Located on the Ligurian Sea, Genoa’s Porto Antico offers a unique combination of architectural beauty, cultural events, and tourist activities. Genoa’s Porto Antico is famous for its Aquarium, the largest in Italy.
In addition to the Aquarium, the Porto Antico offers numerous museums, including the Galata Museo del Mare, which tells the rich maritime history of Genoa. With its wide selection of restaurants, cafes, and stores, Genoa’s Porto Antico is also a great place to enjoy delicious local cuisine and shop for local products.
Castelletto Esplanade and the Lantern of Genoa
The Castelletto esplanade offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the harbor and the Ligurian Sea. Located at the top of a hill, this esplanade offers a perfect setting for taking unforgettable photographs and admiring the architectural beauty of the city.
The Lantern of Genoa is the historic lighthouse, the symbol of the City, which stands imposingly over the harbor, representing a symbol of navigation and a landmark for sailors. At 77 meters high, the Lantern is the second tallest lighthouse in the world.
Boccadasse and Anita Garibaldi Promenade in Nervi
Not far from Genoa are two colorful and quaint seaside villages. With its colorful houses overlooking the sea, Boccadasse offers postcard-perfect scenery, making it an ideal place for a pleasant stroll along the coast.
The Anita Garibaldi Promenade in Nervi is one of the area’s most enchanting attractions, offering a wonderful combination of breathtaking views, lush nature and fascinating history. This charming coastal promenade, named after Giuseppe Garibaldi’s famous wife, invites visitors to immerse themselves in a pleasant walk along the cliffs, enjoying spectacular views of the Ligurian Sea.
Genoa: A City of History, Flavors and Enchanting Landscapes
Genoa is a city that captivates visitors with its thousand-year history, delicious cuisine, and enchanting location between mountains and sea. Attractions among history, culture, maritime nature and breathtaking postcard landscapes offer unique experiences that immerse you in the city’s authentic atmosphere. Typical Genoese dishes such as trofie al pesto, focaccia, pansotti, and farinata represent a true culinary journey through the flavors of the region, halfway between sea and mountains.
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GENOA: AN ENCHANTING JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY, FLAVORS AND LANDSCAPES