Genoa Cruise Port

Those with limited time in Genoa should make use of convenient hop-on hop-off bus services, city walking tours, and private guides—don’t miss the 13th-century Palace of Doges, the UNESCO-recognized Palazzi dei Rolli, or the Via XX Settembre, the city’s main shopping thoroughfare. The Genoa Aquarium, one of the largest in Europe, is a popular family-friendly stop too, although shore excursions also leave Genoa Cruise Port bound for Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, the Cinque Terre, and Florence.

• Many cruises start or finish in Genoa, so build in time to explore the city and wider region pre- or post-cruise.

• Ride the Genoa funiculars (cable cars) for budget-friendly bird's-eye view of the city.

• Trains depart Genoa train station for several cities along the Italian riviera, although they can be very slow and crowded in summer.

• More efficient trains run between Genoa and major Italian capitals such as Naples, Rome, Milan, and Venice.

• You may have to negotiate steps at the port and in Genoa proper; plan accordingly if you're a wheelchair user or are traveling with a stroller.

Genoa Cruise Port is about a 30-minute walk from Piazza De Ferrari, Genoa’s main square; however, it’s often easiest (and safest) to grab a taxi or shuttle bus from the dock. Trains run between Genoa and many major Italian destinations, and the station is just a 5-minute drive from the port.

Despite being one of the main cruise ports in Italy, English is not widely spoken in Genoa. Many shops and businesses close in the middle of the day (between 1pm and 4pm) and all day Sunday, except in the tourist hubs. The official currency is the euro.

Genoa Cruise Port is near the old port area (Porto Antico) and historic old town, where visitor attractions await. In the port area you’ll find the Aquarium of Genoa and Il Bigo viewing platform, a replica galleon, the Neptune, used in the 1986 film Pirates, and the Genoa Ferris Wheel.

It’s roughly a 30-minute walk to reach Piazza De Ferrari, Genoa’s main square located in the old town and a short walk from the old port area. You also can take a taxi from the cruise port or ride metro trains from Principe to De Ferrari.

For coastal day trips, head north to reach Ligurian seaside towns such as Loano, or south toward ritzy Portofino or the fishing villages of the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For inland trips, the cities of Milan, Piacenza, or Turin can be visited in a day.

Yes, there are guided tours of Genoa’s historic old town, one of the largest in Italy. Sites like the Genoa Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) and Genoa Cathedral are usually highlights of most tours, and commentary covers the city’s past as a major maritime city and its famous son, Christopher Colombus.

Head to Spianata Castelletto (aka Belvedere Montaldo) for panoramic views that sweep over Genoa. To reach it, you can ride the stylish elevator Ascensore Castelletto for a small fee from Piazza del Portello. Another option is to take the Zecca-Righi Funicular, used by commuting locals and visitors alike.

Genoans are proud of their cuisine, and finding places to try the local dishes isn’t hard. Avoid restaurants advertising tourist menus, and instead head for trattorias that display signs for traditional cuisine (cucina tipica) or Genoese cuisine (cucina genovese). Pasta with pesto Genovese, or focaccia Genovese are among the staples.