Genoa

About Genoa

Located on the Ligurian coast in north Italy, Genoa has all the charm and character you’d want from an Italian city break, yet remains refreshingly un-touristy compared to nearby Milan or Bologna. Once a powerful maritime republic, you can see this influence reflected everywhere you go in this handsome port city, with its lavish palazzi (palaces) in the new part of town.

To soak up the city’s history, check out the 12th century gates at Porto Soprana. Wander towards the town centre, through the maze of cobbled alleyways, and you’ll end up at Genoa’s main square, Piazza de Ferrari with its impressive bronze fountain, before reaching the famous striped façade of the beautiful Cattedrale di San Lorenzo.

Genoa also attracts visitors for its food scene, with relaxed restaurants and unpretentious bars serving Italian classics – many argue that pesto is better here than anywhere else in the world! The city’s also known for its focaccia, a crispy yet chewy bread soaked in excellent olive oil. Try it at Mangini, a 19th century institution on the Piazza Corvetto, with an Instagrammable chessboard floor and grand chandeliers. It’s one of the many places where Ernest Hemingway is rumoured to have once had a drink or two.