World Travel GuidesGenoa (Genova), Italy


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Genoa, Italy
Genoa, Italy
Author: Twice25 (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 Generic)



Genoa is a port city in northern Italy. It has a population of around 900,000 within a metropolitan area with a population of 1.4 million. The city is the capital of the Province of Genoa and the region of Liguria.

Guide to Genoa Hotels

Here's a list of hotels in Genoa that you can book online, with full description, star rating, address, location map, evaluation, and prices as offered by different booking sites. This helps you to make your room booking with the site that offers the best price.


More on Genoa

As with most major cities in Europe, Genoa traces its history back to ancient times. The area was a Celtic settlement between 2,500 to 2,000 BC. The city cemetery of Genoa dates to the 6th century BC. Different peoples including the Greeks, Etruscans, Phoenicians all had their bases in Genoa. It was later occupied by the Romans, followed by the Ostrogoths and the Lombards.


Genoa street view
Genoa street view
Author: Massimo Giuliani (public domain)

By the 12th century, Genoa has emerged as an independent city-state, with the Bishop of Genoa being president of the city and the Holy Roman Emperor being the nominal overload. A period of prosperity in the 13th century was followed by a virtual collapse brought along by the Black Death that decimated the population.

One of the most popular sons of Genoa was Christopher Columbus. He donated one tenth of his income for the discovery of the New World to the Bank of Saint George.

The proximity of Genoa to France made it a target of French aggression several times through its history. In 1797, it was pressured by Napolepon to become a French protectorate.

Genoa suffered Allied bombardment during the Second World War. One of the bombs dropped by the British fleet fell into the cathedral of San Lorenzo without exploding, and is today exhibited to the public within the church grounds.

Genoa is famous for its art, music, food, architecture and history. It was made the 2004 EU Capital of Culture. The city is also home to the Bank of Saint George, one of the oldest banks in the world. Today Genoa is the headquarters of a number of major Italian companies.


Church of San Giuseppe al Lagaccio in Genoa
Church of San Giuseppe al Lagaccio in Genoa
Author: DanPaolo (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Budget Travel to Genoa

By Plane
Genoa's Cristoforo Colombo Airport is served by daily scheduled flights from several major cities in Europe. Upon arriving, budget travellers can take the airport shuttle bus, called Volabus, to downtown Genoa.

By Train
You can also reach Genoa from Milan, Turin, Rome, Pisa and Florence by train. Most of the distance trains arrive at the Principe railway station while the Brignole railway station get trains on local routes. A subway train links Principe station to downtown Genoa.

Budget Travel within Genoa

The historic centre of Genoa, the largest Middle Age town in Europe, can be covered on foot. Outside the old city, you will need to take the train or bus.

Photos of Genoa

Royal Palace, Genoa
Royal Palace, Genoa
Author: © Giovanni Dall'Orto







Places of Interest in Genoa

  1. Via Luccoli
    An elegant street in downtown Genoa.

  2. Stazione Principe
    Spacious building facing public square with statue of Christopher Columbus.

  3. Palazzo Reale
    17th century royal palace with superb art collection and Hall of Mirrors.

  4. Via Garibaldi
    Street that divides the old town from the newer neighbourhood of Genoa.

  5. Palazzo Bianco
    16th century palace with a Baroque façade that was originally white.

  6. Palazzo Rosso
    Genoan palace with a beautiful courtyard.

  7. Duomo
    Cathedral of Genoa dating to 1118.

  8. Piazza San Matteo
    Public square behind the Cathedral of Genoa.

  9. Palazzo Ducale
    Seat of the government of Genoa in the 16th century, today a cultural centre.

  10. Porta Soprana
    Twin-towered gateway on Genoa's eastern limits.

  11. Casa Colombo de Cristoforo
    Reconstructed boyhood home of Christopher Columbus.

  12. Porto Antico
    Port area of Genoa.

  13. Acquario
    State-of-the-art aquarium designed by Renzo Piano and Peter Chermayeff, the largest in Europe.

  14. La Bolla
    Futuristic greenhouse designed by Renzo Piano.

  15. Il Grande Bigo
    Observation crane providing panoramic views of the city and waterfront.

  16. Padiglione del Mare e della Navigazione
    Pavilion of the Sea and Navigation, housed in an old warehouse exhibiting items related to ships and navigation.

In the vicinity of Genoa

  1. Riviera di Ponenta
    Beautiful coastline to the west of Genoa until the border with France.

  2. Savona
    Port and industrial centre to the west of Genoa.

  3. Finale Ligure
    Small town with Church of San Biagio, with its octagonal Gothic bell tower.

  4. Albenga
    Small town on the Riviera di Ponente with artistic and historic significance.

  5. Alassio
    Seaside resort famous with celebrities.

  6. Imperia
    Two seaside towns merged as one by Mussolini.

Travel Services

  1. Holidaying in the city of Emilia Romagna is a beautiful experience to travellers. It has splendid cathedrals built with the Roman architecuture. Autonoleggio Parma hiring services will be the best mode of travelling in the city.

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