Genova, the regional capital of Liguria, is a city that has enchanted travellers for centuries, where history can be felt at every step. The idea of dedicating a one-day visit during a stay in Levanto is a thought shared by many of the people who find themselves spending some time in our neck of the woods, so we thought we'd round up some tips and publish them in this post. What do you find there? What to visit in Genoa in a day from Levantohow to get to the city from Levanto and the things you absolutely cannot miss during a visit, however brief. Let's set off!
What are the reasons why travellers visit Genoa? Certainly its port vocation, its charm as a seaside town, its past of trade and travel, the veracity of its caruggithe desire to hold its inhabitants in an embrace after the tragedy of the Morandi Bridge collapse. Known to be one of the four Maritime Republics, Genoa is famous for its port - the largest in Italy - but also for its culture and the various arts it hosts, from exhibitions to theatre and music.
From Levanto to Genoa: how to get there
The train is the means we recommend for reaching Genoa from Levanto. There are about 19 trains a day, both direct and with a change in La Spezia, with ticket prices ranging from €5.90 to €24.50, a total of about an hour's journey and 62 kilometres.
If you go by train, you will not have to think about where to park your car, since Genoa, due to its conformation, has space problems and the entire historical centre has a ZTL (limited traffic zone), but if your car is the means by which you want to reach the city, we recommend you leave it in one of the car parks located outside the historical centre, some of which (few) are still free.
What to see in Genoa in a day
Our one-day tour of Genoa starts from the Genova Brignole station, where - first focaccia of the day in hand - we head towards Via XX Settembre, the shopping street that in about one kilometre connects Piazza della Vittoria and Piazza De Ferrari, considered the beating heart of Genoa. What immediately catches the eye here is the large central fountain and the buildings surrounding it, including the Carlo Felice theatre and the Palazzo Ducale, where important art exhibitions are held every year.
From Piazza De Ferrari you can easily reach the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the most important Catholic place of worship in the city with great architectural value... its sight will not leave you indifferent! La bellissima facciata in pietra alternata bianca e nera è impreziosita da sculture tipiche dell’arte medievale. From this central square it is easy to wander through the alleys, the so-called caruggi, where it is easy to get lost, but also to be amazed at every step!
From the cathedral square you can also easily reach the Porto Antico, an area completely renovated by architect Renzo Piano for the 1992 Expo. This is where you will find the Aquarium of Genoa - a must-see if you are travelling with children -, the Sea Museum, the Neptune Galleon built for Roman Polański's film 'Pirates', the Bigo panoramic lift, the Biosphere and the City of Children and Young People. It is an area with another concentration of things to do, so you could spend a lot of time there or decide to come here directly by getting off at Genova Porta Principe station.
Another increasingly popular attraction for tourists in Genoa is a visit to the Palazzi dei Rolli, choosing from the many that can be visited, 42 of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are late Renaissance and Baroque aristocratic palaces of enormous historical value that still retain elegant staircases, richly decorated ceilings, hanging gardens and opulent rooms.
You can take a walk on Via Garibaldi and then reach Piazza Portello and the gallery leading to the Art Nouveau lift to the Spianata di Castelletto. It is worth climbing to the top of this esplanade for the vast and marvellous panorama from above, from the sea to the old town, from the port to the coast and the hills around Genoa.
By now you should have seen a lot for a day in Genoa, but if you want an alternative or if you have an extra day at your disposal, we also recommend a walk along the seafront of Corso Italia, about three kilometres until you reach Boccadasse, a small colourful village that has remained tied to the rhythms of the fishermen.
Do you still feel like walking or do you want an extra cue to visit Genoa? Take a vehicle to Genova Nervi and walk the two kilometres of scenic promenade to the Nervi Park.
Cover photo: Nick Fewings on Unsplash
