Genoa is often just a quick stop-over for those travelling to the Italian Riviera or Cinque Terre, but the city itself has much to offer. For centuries, this former merchant republic was as wealthy as Venice and still boasts a historic city centre packed with charming alleyways, marble palaces and Baroque churches.
Genoa is perfect for a lazy stroll as you peruse the shops or enjoy a cup of Italian coffee in one of the many espresso bars. Sip a cappuccino with a view of the black and white striped San Lorenzo Cathedral. Or enjoy a ristretto by the harbour, where a Spanish galleon from the film Pirates by Roman Polanski has become a popular attraction. You will find Genoa’s vibrant heart in the maze of streets in the centro storico, the historic city centre, which exudes both a medieval and a 17th-century Baroque atmosphere.