How to Spend 1 Day in Genoa: The Perfect Genoa Itinerary

On By saar.decosterIn Europe, Italy

Only have one day in Genoa?

Good news: you can see quite a lot in one day, especially if you focus on the historic centre, Porto Antico and the waterfront.

Genoa was actually a bit of a surprise for me. I originally came because I wanted a coastal stop where I could swim, and I ended up staying for six days. So while one day obviously isn’t enough to explore everything around Genoa, it is enough to get a taste of the city and finish your day exactly where I think you should be: by the water with a Spritz in your hand.

This is how I would spend one day in Genoa, combining the historic city centre, good Italian food, the harbour and my favourite seaside spot, Boccadasse.

If you’re still wondering whether Genoa is worth adding to your Italy trip, I’ve also shared my honest opinion on whether Genoa is worth visiting.

My 1-Day Genoa Itinerary at a Glance

Morning: Historic centre → focaccia → Porto Antico

Afternoon: Boccadasse → swimming → relax by the sea

Evening: Aperol by the water → Piazza delle Erbe → dinner

It’s a pretty relaxed itinerary, because honestly, I don’t think Genoa is a city you should rush through.

8:30 AM – Start in Genoa’s Historic Centre

Start your day by wandering through the historic centre of Genoa.

This is where I’d spend the first part of your morning simply walking around without too much of a plan.

Genoa has a huge historic centre with narrow streets, old buildings, little squares and plenty of cafés and restaurants tucked away between them.

Don’t worry too much about ticking off every single attraction.

Just wander.

That’s one of my favourite ways to experience Italian cities anyway, and Genoa is particularly good for it.

Take your time, grab a coffee and explore some of the smaller streets before continuing towards the waterfront.

10:00 AM – Eat Focaccia

You can’t spend a day in Genoa without eating focaccia.

Genoa is the birthplace of focaccia Genovese, so this is basically your breakfast, snack and cultural experience all in one.

And honestly, I would absolutely choose a small local bakery or focacceria over sitting down for a big breakfast.

Grab a piece of focaccia, eat it while walking and continue exploring.

You don’t need to make food complicated here.

It’s Italy.

Bread, olive oil and a coffee.

Done.

11:00 AM – Head to Porto Antico

After exploring the historic centre, make your way towards Porto Antico, Genoa’s old port.

The area was redesigned by architect Renzo Piano and is now one of the liveliest parts of the waterfront.

There are boats, restaurants, museums and the famous Genoa Aquarium here, so you can easily spend a few hours if you want to visit some of the attractions.

For a one-day itinerary, though, I wouldn’t try to do everything.

I’d simply walk around the harbour, enjoy the views and take in the atmosphere.

It’s especially nice if you want a break from the narrow streets of the historic centre.

Porto Antico harbour in Genoa Italy

Should you visit the Genoa Aquarium?

If you love aquariums or you’re travelling with children, it could definitely be worth adding.

But if you’re only in Genoa for one day and your main goal is to experience the city and coastline, I’d personally skip it and keep exploring outside.

There is simply too much nice coastline to sit inside all afternoon.

1:00 PM – Lunch in Genoa

Time for lunch!

This is another moment where I’d keep things simple.

Go for pasta, focaccia, pesto or whatever local dish looks good.

Genoa is famous for pesto Genovese, so if you see fresh pasta with pesto on the menu, that’s an easy choice.

I also wouldn’t worry about finding the “perfect” restaurant.

Pick somewhere that looks busy with locals, sit down, order something good and enjoy a proper Italian lunch.

Because you’re going to need the energy for the afternoon.

2:30 PM – Head to Boccadasse

Now we’re getting to my favourite part.

Take the trip out towards Spiaggia di Boccadasse.

Boccadasse is a tiny colourful seaside neighbourhood just outside the centre of Genoa, and honestly, it was exactly what I had hoped to find when I first came to the city.

Colourful houses.

A small beach.

Blue water.

People sitting by the sea.

And plenty of opportunities to grab a drink.

It’s not huge, which is part of the charm.

Don’t come here expecting a massive beach resort.

Instead, come here to slow down for a few hours.

Boccadasse beach in Genoa Italy

3:00 PM – Swim & Relax at Boccadasse

If you’re visiting Genoa in summer, bring your bikini.

This is the part of the day where I would stop sightseeing completely.

Go for a swim, sit by the water, read a book, sunbathe or just wander around the colourful streets.

I originally came to Genoa because I wanted somewhere by the coast where I could swim.

And Boccadasse ended up being one of my favourite places I found.

It’s exactly the kind of place where you can lose a few hours without even noticing.

And honestly?

That’s what holidays are for.

5:00 PM – Aperol by the Water

Obviously, there has to be an Aperol.

And preferably one that you can take with you and drink right next to the sea.

I got an Aperol Spritz in Boccadasse for around €5, and I still think that is one of the best deals of the trip.

Aperol in hand.

Sea in front of you.

Bikini on.

Sun shining.

What more do you need?

This was honestly one of my favourite moments in Genoa.

If you’re travelling on a budget, this is also a great way to enjoy the Italian aperitivo culture without spending loads of money on a fancy restaurant.µ

Aperol Spritz, grapes and book by the sea in Boccadasse, Genoa

6:30 PM – Head Back Towards the City

After your afternoon at Boccadasse, head back towards the centre of Genoa.

You could go straight for dinner, but I would give yourself some time to wander around again.

The city feels different in the early evening.

The streets start getting busier, people are heading out for drinks and restaurants begin filling up.

This is also a good time to explore any parts of the historic centre you missed in the morning.

7:30 PM – Aperitivo at Piazza delle Erbe

If you still haven’t had enough drinks by the sea, or if you simply want another one because you’re in Italy, head to Piazza delle Erbe.

This is one of my favourite places to go in Genoa in the evening.

The square is surrounded by bars and has a really cosy atmosphere.

It’s a great place to sit down, order a drink and watch people before dinner.

And unlike some of the more touristy Italian cities, Genoa still has a very local feeling here.

People actually come out to meet friends, have drinks and spend their evening.

So grab another Spritz if you want.

I’m not judging.

Piazza delle Erbe in Genoa Italy

8:30 PM – Dinner in Genoa

Finish your day with dinner somewhere in the historic centre.

If you haven’t already tried pesto Genovese, this is your chance.

And if you’re staying longer than one day, I would definitely make the most of Genoa’s food scene during the rest of your trip.

One of the things I liked about Genoa was that it didn’t feel ridiculously expensive compared with some of Italy’s more famous destinations.

You can have a really good evening without spending your entire travel budget.

And after a full day of walking, swimming and eating focaccia, you’ll definitely deserve it.

What About Nervi?

If you have more than one day in Genoa, I’d definitely add the Nervi area to your itinerary.

Nervi was one of the places I visited during my six days in Genoa and it’s completely different from walking around the historic centre.

There are rocky swimming spots, coastal paths and little places to discover along the water.

It’s perfect for a slow day where you don’t have a huge sightseeing checklist.

If you have two or three days in Genoa, I’d honestly dedicate a good part of one day to exploring Nervi and the surrounding coast.

What About Portofino and Cinque Terre?

If you’re staying in Genoa for longer, this is where things get really good.

Genoa is a fantastic base for exploring the Ligurian coast.

I’ve put together a guide to the best day trips from Genoa if you want to see more of the coast without changing accommodation.

You can take day trips to places like Portofino, Camogli, San Fruttuoso and Cinque Terre, depending on how much time you have.

If Portofino is on your list, I’ve also put together 8 tips for visiting Portofino based on my own experience there.

I also booked a boat tour to Camogli, San Fruttuoso and Portofino during my stay.

One warning, though: read the small print before booking!

The tour I found was advertised for €21, but that price only covered the trip to Camogli. If you wanted to continue to the other stops, you had to pay extra.

Still, it was a really fun experience, just make sure you understand exactly what is included before booking.

Book the Camogli, San Fruttuoso & Portofino boat tour

Can You See Genoa in One Day?

Yes!

You can definitely get a taste of Genoa in one day.

You’ll be able to explore the historic centre, see Porto Antico, eat some focaccia, experience the waterfront and finish the day in Boccadasse.

But I wouldn’t say one day is enough to experience the whole Genoa area.

If you have 3–6 days, that’s when I think Genoa becomes particularly fun.

You can use the city as your base and explore somewhere different along the Ligurian coast every day.

That’s exactly what I did, and I ended up staying for six days without getting bored.

Where to Stay in Genoa

For one night, I’d stay somewhere relatively central so you can easily walk around the historic centre and get to restaurants and bars in the evening.

I stayed at Ostello Bello Genoa, which was convenient because it was close to the bus and train station.

The hostel itself was good, but if I went back, I would probably choose somewhere slightly more towards the centre.

Especially if you’re only staying for one day, I think being able to walk straight out of your accommodation and into the historic centre is worth it.

My Tips for Spending One Day in Genoa

Wear comfortable shoes

You’ll be walking a lot, especially if you want to combine the historic centre with the waterfront.

Bring your swimsuit in summer

Seriously.

You never know when you’ll find a swimming spot you want to jump into.

Eat focaccia

You are in Genoa.

Just do it.

Don’t over-plan

Genoa is one of those cities where wandering around is half the fun.

Save time for the coast

Don’t spend your entire day sightseeing.

The fact that you’re by the Mediterranean is one of the best things about Genoa.

Stay longer if you can

One day is enough for the city, but several days allow you to explore Boccadasse, Nervi, Portofino, Camogli, San Fruttuoso and other coastal spots.

Final Thoughts: How I Would Spend a Day in Genoa

If I only had one day in Genoa, I wouldn’t try to see absolutely everything.

I’d explore the historic centre in the morning, eat a ridiculous amount of focaccia, walk around Porto Antico and then spend my afternoon at Boccadasse.

Then I’d swim.

I’d get an Aperol.

I’d sit by the water.

And I’d finish the evening with another drink at Piazza delle Erbe and a good Italian dinner.

Because that’s what I loved about Genoa.

It isn’t just about the sights.

It’s about having a city where you can explore in the morning and be by the sea with an Aperol in your hand a few hours later.

And honestly, I don’t think you need much more than that.

If you have more time, stay for a few days and use Genoa as a base to explore the Ligurian coast. That’s when I think the city becomes even more worth visiting.

Planning Your Trip to Italy?

Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.

That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.

→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides

OR

START BY AREA

→ Northern Italy Travel guide
→ Rome Travel guide
→ Sicily Travel guide

Related Posts

You May Also Like

More Italy Travel Guides

FAQ: One Day in Genoa

Is one day enough for Genoa?

One day is enough to see the highlights of Genoa, including the historic centre, Porto Antico and Boccadasse. If you want to explore the surrounding Ligurian coast as well, I recommend staying several days.

What should I not miss in Genoa?

For a first visit, don’t miss Genoa’s historic centre, Porto Antico and Boccadasse. If you’re visiting in summer, I’d definitely make time for a swim by the coast.

What food should I try in Genoa?

Try focaccia Genovese and pesto Genovese. Both are local specialities and easy to fit into a day of exploring Genoa.

Where can I swim in Genoa?

Boccadasse is one of my favourite places to spend time by the water. The Nervi area also has rocky swimming spots and coastal areas to explore.

Can you visit Portofino from Genoa in one day?

Yes. Portofino makes a good day trip from Genoa, especially if you have more than one day in the city.

Is Genoa expensive?

I found Genoa relatively affordable compared with some of Italy’s more famous tourist destinations. Prices vary depending on where you eat and drink, but I found plenty of reasonably priced options.

What is the best time to visit Genoa?

Summer is particularly good if you want to combine exploring the city with swimming and spending time along the coast. Spring and autumn can be better if you prefer cooler temperatures and sightseeing.

Leave a Reply