This plaza is the most famous square in Genoa. It's the heart of the town, between the old and the modern city, surrounded by public buildings, banks and offices. The hub of Genoa is this central plaza where the busiest streets in Genoa radiate from it in all directions. It’s the cultural center, too.

    Palazzo Ducale is located on the Piazza de Ferrari where many of the important art exhibitions are held. It was built in the 13th century and modified many times during the centuries, especially in the 19^th and 20th centuries, when the present facade was built. Inside the building you find, of course, the art exhibitions, but also a bar, libraries and shops.

    Via Garibaldi is one of the great European streets. You will see a series of Baroque palaces, all containing works of art. Most of the palaces were built between the 16^th and 18^th centuries. Each one has its own unique style. Many have the family’s coat of arms displayed on the façade; others have hanging gardens cascading from the rooftops. Some of the residential palaces have been converted to banks, the Chamber of Commerce and Palazzo Municipale (the City Hall). The City Hall contains Niccolò Paganini's violin and manuscripts by Christopher Columbus. On entering this once private residence you will see city officials wearing the baroque uniform of long ago.

Address: Via Garibaldi 18

Hours: Tues- Fri 9:00am- 7:00pm; Sat.-Sun. 10:00am- 7:00pm; closed Mondays

Tickets: €7, free on Sundays.

    Palazzo Rosso is named for its distinctive red color. It is a splendid 17th century mansion which belonged to the Brignole-Sale family. It contains a picture gallery on the first and second floors, mostly family portraits by Van Dyck, Bordone, Strozzi, and others. In 1874, Maria Brignole Sale, the Duchess of Galliera, and the last of the line in her family, donated the building and the art collections to the city. The city then made the building into a museum. The well detailed rooms are decorated with frescoes by Ligurian artists from the seventeenth century. There are works from the 15th to the 17th centuries including sculptures, mirrors, porcelain and paintings. There is also a photographic archive with more than 200,000 photographs. They portray the history of Genoa and Liguria from the middle of the nineteenth century until today and are priceless for their artistic and historical value.

Address:Via Garibaldi 11    

Tickets:  €7 includes entrance to Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Tursi; €4 panoramic terrace

    Palazzo Bianco is another palace aptly named for its white stone exterior. It was originally built in 1548, and then refurbished in 1712. It contains the Gallery of the White Palace, home to a notable picture gallery, with works by Italian, Dutch and Flemish masters from the 12^th to the 17^th century. Its small, rooftop terrace offers superb, 360-degree views of the city. In 1899, the Duchess of Galliera also gave property rights of this palace to the city of Genoa and thus destined it to become a public gallery.

Address: Via Balbi 10

Hours:  Tues. and Wed. 9:00am -1:30pm, Thurs.-Sun. 9-7

Tickets: €4, Formal gardens: € 1                                                                                    

    Palazzo Reale is a luxuriant palace built in the early 17th century for one of Genoa's most influential families, the wealthy Genovese merchants, the Balbis. The stunning gallery of mirrors and the ballroom on the upper floor are particularly notable. The formal gardens provide a peaceful rest from sight-seeing and great views of the harbor.

Address: Via Reggio Tommaso 17

Services: Mon- Sat: 7:20am , 9:30am, 11:00am, 6:00pm
Sundays and Holy Days: 8.30am, 10:00am, 11:30am, 6:00pm

    This cathedral dates back to the 10^th century. It is quite distinct in that the façade was built in the thirteenth century out of Carrara marble and local slate, designed in a stripe pattern, which were the sign of prestige at that time. This high quality marble could only be used in private palaces if a special permit was issued. Note the grandiose lions standing guard at the entrance, and step inside to see beautiful 14th century frescos. There is a golden bird near the main altar which holds the priest's book during the mass.

    The cathedral has amazingly survived a number of wars and at one time a bomb dropped through the ceiling but did not explode! Inside, at one of the side altars is stored relics of St. John the Baptist. This and other treasures can be seen in the treasury. On June 24th, the ashes of John the Baptist are taken out for a yearly procession to honor him as the city's patron saint. Please dress appropriately and avoid flash photography.

    The port of Genoa, once just a natural inlet, started to come into being as early as the 5^th century B.C. Records of the first port date back to shortly after the year 1000. During the 20^th century, the port traffic moved more and more to the western part of the city and the old area remained practically unused until revitalization in 1992. The goal of the redesign of the ancient port was to make it available to the citizens of Genoa as a place for enjoyment and leisure. Porto Antico has been transformed from an industrial area to a major tourist attraction. It is the location of the new Museum of Sea and Navigation which is near Genoa's Aquarium.

Address: Corso Dogali 18  

Hours:  October - March: Tue-Fri 10:00am–5:00pm; Sat-Sun 10:00am–6:00pm
April - September 2006: Tue-Fri 10:00am–6:00pm; Sat-Sun 10:00am–7:00pm, closed Mondays 

Tickets: €6                                                                                                       

    The D'Albertis Castle was the home of Captain Enrico Alberto d'Albertis, erected between 1886 and 1892. It is a building of great historical significance, because the castle was built on the site of a 16th century walled city and the foundations of the bastion and one of the medieval turrets are preserved and incorporated into the castle. It is also culturally significant because it currently houses the Museo delle Culture del Mondo (Museum of World Cultures).  D'Albertis designed the castle in the styles of architectural collage and Gothic revival. It was the first villa-castle built in Genoa. When he died in 1932, the captain donated the castle and its collections to the city of Genoa.

Address: Ponte Spinola

Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30am-7:30pm; Sat-Sun 9:30am-8:30pm 

Tickets: €13                                                          

    The aquarium is a welcome change from the typical Italian tourist sight. The building alone is phenomenal, resembling a ship and built alongside a pier in Porto Antico. It was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano in 1992. Though not as large as some American aquariums it is very well kept. The aquarium has upwards of 60 tanks, containing over four million liters of water. It displays extraordinary and diverse sea life with hundreds of different species from all over the world. It also has a hummingbird sanctuary and some great educational exhibits. Some of the more popular attractions are: the Penguins, the Red Sea Tank, the Seals, the Coral, Sharks and Dolphins.

Hours: weekends and holidays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Tickets: €6 for the Lanterna and the Museum

    Torre della Lanterna is the main lighthouse for the city's port and one of the oldest functioning lighthouses in the world. Besides being an important aid to night navigation in the area, the lighthouse serves as a symbol for the City of Genoa. It is built on the hill of San Benigno at 249 feet tall. The first tower at this location was built around 1128. At that time the tower was relatively far from the city; it was in the seventeenth century that it became part of the city walls of Genoa. It has continued to be a part of the city today.

    When the lighthouse was first built, dried pieces of erica and juniper wood were used to fuel the signal fire. In 1326 the first oil-based lantern, whose fire was fed by olive oil, was added to the structure. Around 1400 the lighthouse was converted into a prison. In 1543, the tower was once again refurbished, which is the way it looks today. Near the tower is the Museo della Lanterna which opened to the public in 2006. The museum mainly covers the history of the city and the port. Today visitors can climb 172 steps, reach the first terrace and enjoy the breathtaking view of the port and the old city.

Address: Via San Donato 36

    A popular place with students, professors and artists, this coffee shop/ bar is located in the old part of town.  They offer decent and inexpensive sandwiches, coffee, wine and beer, and it’s a great atmosphere to meet fellow students and backpackers.

Address: Mura delle Grazie 3r

    Opened in 1946 by the Traverso family, this restaurant overlooks the Old Port, near the Aquarium.  They are known for serving a wonderful selection of fresh sea food, which clientele gladly enjoy while sitting along the scenic port.

Flights:  Genoa’s airport is Colombo Internazionale Airpot (GOA), and it services mostly European destinations.  Backpackers arriving in the airport should take the #100 bus to Stazione Brignole. 

Trains: One of Genoa’s two train stations, Stazione Principe and Stazione Brignole, will welcome those looking to backpack in Genoa.  Trains connect backpackers with Rome (6hr), Turin (2hr), and various points along the Italian Riviera like Cinque Terre. 

Ferries:  Backpackers can take ferries to Sardinia, Palermo, or Olbia.       

Buses:  AMT buses run throughout Genoa and single ride tickets cost €1, €3 for a day pass.