The perfect 48 hours in Genoa

Genoa is the capital of Liguria, a.k.a. the Italian Riviera: this narrow seaside region stretches from the Northern tip of Tuscany to the Côte d’Azur and is home to renowned locations such as Cinque Terre, Portofino, Santa Margherita, and San Remo… with Genoa nestled in the very centre of the coastal arch.

We speak with Luisa Puppo, Liguria Brand Ambassador for Ormina Tours, for her perfect 2-day itinerary. 

Luisa:

“After long consideration, I decided to provide you with an array of options: a sort of à la carte menu, help yourself and design your personal exploration of the place.”

See Genoa from the Sea

If the weather and the sea conditions are fine start your stay hopping on board (Porto Antico) the ferries that sail along the urban coastline and discover the city profile from the sea: in the centre, the sight of Medieval towers side by side 20th century skyscrapers; to the west, the vastness of the modern port; to the east, the parks and villas of elegant residential suburbs; and in the background – on the hills – the grandeur of the city walls, protecting Genoa in their jealous embrace.

View the city from Spianata Castelletto

Another way to appreciate the verticality of the area (as well as the carefully designed use  of space) is from Spianata Castelletto, along Circonvallazione a Monte, a 19^th century succession of corniche tree-lined streets. From the city centre a beautiful Art Nouveau lift will take you to this splendid belvedere. The town at your feet, your eyes will sweep over the most beautiful of sights, from the famous Lanterna to the hills of Carignano and Albaro, over the centro storico, a jigsaw puzzle made of grey roofs, hanging gardens, terraces, churches and sumptuous palaces. Behind you a crown of hills, traversed by elegant roads and by winding creuze, ancient cobbled alleys leading to convents and city doors.

This double approach from the sea and from the hills is the key to a rewarding exploration and will provide you with a solid physical and emotional reference frame for your forthcoming experiences and discoveries.

Discover the intricate network of carruggi

Continue your visit in the historical centre, a vast, intricate network of carruggi (narrow alleys) where you will find a number of traditional structures and eminent buildings with a vast history. The area represents the historic core of Genoa’s political and religious power. These narrow alleys treasure a universe of delicatessen (the Genoese do belong to the gourmet type!): chocolate manufacturers, bakeries, “fainotti” (friggitorie, fried food shops), tiny groceries crammed with spices and teas, and a thousand others.

For more local experiences click here.

Epic European Cathedrals

Make your way to via Tommaso Reggio, flanked by the archbishop’s palace, the ancient Palazzetto Criminale and the cathedral cloister. Be sure to raise your eyes and discover the daring overhead connections between the buildings, a sequence of shortcuts (and escape routes…) linking Palazzo Ducale and the Cathedral. Dedicated to San Lorenzo, it represents – in its structures and decorations – the dynamism of local history, as well as the fascination of the epic of European cathedrals. The exterior is an alternation of Romanic and Gothic elements. Must-sees include the Museo del Tesoro, an underground cave of wonders in an extraordinary setting.

Urban trekking

Piazza Banchi is the starting point of Via San Luca, the first section of the long track (via San Luca, Via del Campo, Via Prè) that runs parallel to the sea, and the most important road of ancient Genoa. On the way you can stop in at Galleria Nazionale, adorned by an amazing Gallery of Mirrors.

Further north, take Via della Maddalena, known as the “by-pass” of the old city: this straight connection between San Luca and the Luccoli area is flanked by traditional botteghe, workshops, ethnic shops and restaurants. Fragrant focaccia, the forerunner of street food, is a delight to enjoy throughout your window-shopping session (do not miss the presepe shop at the corner with Via della Maddalena).

A rapid ascent will guide your walk towards Via Garibaldi. This splendid street features a concentration of “Palazzi dei Rolli”, which owe their name to the “Rolls of public housing”, i.e. lists (created by the Senate of the Republic of Genoa in 1576) which comprised the most important palazzi in town. It was up to their affluent owners to compete for the honour to host (all costs included) international diplomats and aristocrats in their mansions. There is plenty to explore here including the 16th century Strada Aurea, with grand staircases, admirable frescoes, decorations and façades.

To the east, oblong Piazza Fontane Marose and neoclassical Via XXV aprile will lead you to Piazza De Ferrari, the heart of the city and the border between ancient and modern Genoa.

The most recent and animated soul of Genoa is represented by the Porto Antico, straight at the bottom of Via San Lorenzo. The main attraction here is the Acquario, highlight of Genoese tourism and international research centre for sea fauna and habitats. A few-minute walk will take you either to the Galata maritime museum or to the Città dei Bambini, an interactive learn&play venue for children.

Relax in an authentic fisherman’s village

Take a bus from the centre and travel along Corso Italia, a beautiful seaside promenade – early 20th century – flanked by gardens, villas and stabilimenti balneari surprisingly hiding the Medieval Abbey of San Giuliano. The corso will take you to the borgo of Boccadasse, with quiet pastel houses embracing the tidiest of bays. Among the boats on the beach you will meet old pescatori and idle cats, a unique setting peopled at night by gourmets looking for restaurants and gelaterie.

Continuing eastwards, beyond Quarto and Quinto al Mare, you will get to the elegant suburb of Nervi. Once a destination of élite tourism, appreciated for its gardens and its Art Nouveau villas, it still fascinates visitors with the amenity of its coastal passeggiata and the luxuriant green of its parks (Villa Serra and Villa Grimaldi house two remarkable civic museums dedicated to modern art).

 

Luisa Poppo, Ormina Tours Brand Ambassador	xx	ABOUT LUISA PUPPO Liguria Brand Ambassador for Ormina Tours 100% Genoese. Destination expert, experiential tourism specialist and marketing and training professional since 1994. On Women’s Day 2018 Luisa was appointed as one of the “Ambassadors of the the City of Genoa” by the Mayor, Marco Bucci. Luisa is the President of “Genova World”, an association of food & wine, and tourism professionals. Luisa also runs Ligucibario®, a dynamic on & offline platform that she created with her business partner (and husband) Umberto Curti.

 

Tags: Liguria, Genoa, Genova