Is Genoa Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion

On By saar.decosterIn Europe, Italy

Is Genoa worth visiting?

Honestly? YES.

And I actually didn’t expect to like it this much.

I originally went to Genoa for a pretty simple reason: I saw that it was on the coast and thought it could be a nice stop where I could be by the water, find somewhere to swim and enjoy a few days before continuing my Northern Italy trip.

That was basically the plan.

And then I stayed for six days.

So clearly, something went right.

Genoa ended up being one of those places where I didn’t necessarily have a huge list of famous sights that I desperately needed to tick off, but I just really enjoyed being there.

The city itself has plenty to see and do, but what I loved most was using Genoa as a base to explore the surrounding coastline.

There are so many little bays, swimming spots, seaside villages and day trips nearby that you could easily spend several days discovering a different place every day.

And in summer?

Even better.

You can literally wake up, look at the map and think: okay, where am I going swimming today?

So, is Genoa worth visiting?

For me, absolutely. And especially if you’re travelling through Northern Italy in summer.

If you’re planning a shorter visit, I’ve also put together a 1-day Genoa itinerary with exactly how I’d spend a day in the city.

Porto Antico harbour in Genoa Italy

So, Is Genoa Worth Visiting?

Yes, but I think Genoa is worth visiting for a slightly different reason than cities like Rome, Florence or Milan.

If you’re expecting a city where you need five full days just to see every famous attraction, you might run out of things to do in Genoa itself.

But if you see Genoa as a coastal city and a base for exploring Liguria, I think it becomes much more interesting.

You have the historic city, the harbour, restaurants, cafés and plenty of places to explore. Then, just outside the centre, you suddenly have tiny seaside villages, rocky swimming spots, promenades and beautiful coastal areas.

And that was exactly what I loved about it.

I wasn’t constantly thinking, what tourist attraction do I need to see next?

Some days I just wanted to find a cute place by the sea, go swimming, get an Aperol and see where the day took me.

Honestly, that’s a pretty good holiday.

I Originally Came to Genoa Just for the Coast

This is probably the funniest part of my Genoa trip.

I didn’t originally go because I was dying to see Genoa.

I went because I saw it was on the coast.

I was travelling around Northern Italy and wanted a stop where I could get some sun, be near the water and hopefully find some nice places to swim.

And Genoa looked like it could do the job.

Well…

It did more than that.

I ended up staying for six days, and instead of getting bored, I kept finding more places around the city that I wanted to explore.

That’s probably the best kind of travel surprise.

You arrive somewhere because it looks convenient on a map and then leave thinking, wait, why did I never hear more about this place?

Boccadasse beach in Genoa Italy

Genoa Is Not Huge, But There Is Plenty to Do

I do want to be honest about this because I don’t want to pretend Genoa has an endless list of attractions.

It doesn’t.

You can see a lot of the main city in a couple of days, especially if you’re mainly interested in walking around the historic centre, seeing the harbour, eating, drinking and enjoying the atmosphere.

But I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

Actually, I liked not having a completely packed itinerary.

You can spend the morning exploring Genoa, have lunch somewhere, and then head towards the coast for an afternoon swim.

Or you can spend a day exploring one of the smaller seaside areas nearby.

Or you can simply stay in the city and wander around without having to rush between ten different attractions.

For me, Genoa was much more about the overall experience than ticking off a huge list of sights.

The Surrounding Coast Is the Real Highlight for Me

Okay, THIS is where Genoa really became interesting.

There are so many beautiful places around Genoa that you can easily turn a stay into a little Ligurian adventure.

You have places like Portofino, Nervi, Boccadasse and loads of smaller coastal spots where you can spend a few hours swimming, walking around or just sitting by the water.

And then you have Cinque Terre within reach as another big day-trip option.

So if you’re staying in Genoa for several days, I wouldn’t spend every single day in the city itself.

Use it as a base.

Wake up.

Check the weather.

Look at the coastline.

Pick somewhere you’ve never been.

Go.

That’s basically how I like travelling anyway, but Genoa was particularly good for it.

The coastline around the city has so many little places to discover that you don’t necessarily need a perfectly planned itinerary.

I’ve also put together a guide to the best day trips from Genoa if you want to explore more of the Ligurian coast.

Saar on a ferry travelling to Camogli in Northern Italy

Summer Is the Best Time to Experience Genoa for Me

If your idea of a good trip involves swimming, sunshine and sitting by the sea with an Aperol, I would especially consider Genoa in summer.

There are so many places around the coast where you can find a little swimming spot, whether that’s a small beach, rocky coastline or one of the seaside areas around the city.

And that’s what made my six days feel so easy.

You don’t have to spend the entire day sightseeing.

You can explore in the morning, go swimming in the afternoon and have drinks by the water in the evening.

That combination is honestly hard to beat.

I also think summer makes Genoa feel very different from a standard city break.

You’re not just visiting museums and churches.

You’re constantly aware that you’re by the Mediterranean.

And if you’re anything like me, that automatically makes a city more fun.

My Favourite Place: Spiaggia di Boccadasse

If I had to pick one place that I loved most around Genoa, it would probably be Spiaggia di Boccadasse.

This little seaside area was exactly what I had hoped to find when I originally decided to come to Genoa.

Colourful houses.

The water.

A little beach.

People sitting around.

And the perfect excuse to get an Aperol and walk around with it.

And the best part?

I got an Aperol Spritz to go for around €5.

Tell me what more you need.

Seriously.

An Aperol in your hand, the sea right in front of you, little colourful houses around you and the sun shining.

That was one of those moments where I thought: yeah, I’m very happy I came to Genoa.

Boccadasse also doesn’t feel like some huge, overwhelming tourist attraction.

It feels like a little seaside corner that you can actually enjoy.

And that’s exactly my kind of place.

Genoa Is Surprisingly Affordable

Another thing I really liked about Genoa was the price.

Genoa isn’t one of those Italian destinations where you immediately feel like your budget is disappearing every time you sit down for a drink.

And because it doesn’t have quite the same level of international tourism as places like Rome, Venice or some of the more famous Italian coastal destinations, I found it much easier to enjoy without constantly thinking about money.

That €5 Aperol in Boccadasse definitely helped.

Of course, prices depend on where you go, especially during summer and in the more popular coastal areas.

But overall, I thought Genoa offered really good value.

And for a backpacker travelling around Italy, that’s a pretty big plus.

Genoa Feels Less Touristy

I think this is another reason why I enjoyed Genoa so much.

It’s not completely tourist-free.

Obviously it isn’t.

But it doesn’t have the same feeling as some of Italy’s most famous destinations where it sometimes feels like the entire city exists around tourism.

Genoa still feels like a proper Italian city.

People live there.

People work there.

People meet friends, go for drinks, go shopping and spend time by the coast.

And then you have tourists mixed in with all of that.

For me, that makes a place much more enjoyable.

I don’t mind seeing other tourists, but I don’t want every street to feel like an Instagram queue.

Genoa felt much more relaxed.

Portofino Is Easy to Add to Your Trip

One of the big advantages of staying in Genoa is how many other places you can reach from there.

Portofino is an obvious one.

If you’ve always wanted to see those colourful Ligurian houses, little boats and ridiculously pretty coastal views, Portofino is a great addition to your trip.

It is definitely more famous and more polished than some of the smaller places around Genoa, but that’s also why I wouldn’t necessarily spend your entire Genoa trip there.

Instead, make it one of your day trips.

Then come back to Genoa for a more relaxed evening.

That way you get both sides of the experience.

If you’re wondering whether it’s actually worth the hype, I’ve also shared my honest opinion on whether Portofino is worth visiting.

If you do decide to go, I’ve also put together 8 tips for visiting Portofino to help you plan your visit.

Portofino harbour with colourful buildings and boats in Northern Italy

Nervi Is Another Place to Explore

I also really liked the idea of exploring the Nervi area while staying in Genoa.

Nervi gives you another completely different coastal experience, with its seaside promenade and rocky coastline.

It’s perfect if you want to get away from the busier centre for a while and spend some time near the water.

And that’s exactly why I think Genoa works so well as a base.

You don’t have to travel for hours to find somewhere beautiful.

Sometimes your next little coastal adventure is just a short trip away.

You Can Also Visit Cinque Terre

And then, of course, there is Cinque Terre.

If you’re already travelling around Liguria, it makes sense to consider adding the famous five villages to your itinerary.

Cinque Terre is much more touristy than Genoa, so don’t expect the same relaxed feeling.

But the colourful villages, cliffs and coastline are obviously beautiful.

I would personally treat it as a separate day trip rather than trying to squeeze it into your Genoa sightseeing days.

That way you can actually enjoy Genoa itself as well.

Where I Stayed in Genoa

I stayed at Ostello Bello Genoa.

The hostel itself was good, and one of the biggest advantages was the location near the bus and train station.

That made getting around really easy, especially because I was using Genoa as a base for exploring other places.

However, if I went back, I might choose somewhere a little more towards the city centre.

I liked being close to the transport connections, but for atmosphere and evenings out, I think being more central would have been even better.

So if you’re staying in Genoa for several nights, I’d personally look at accommodation that gives you a good balance between the historic centre, restaurants and the train station.

Especially if you want to do several day trips.

How Many Days Do You Need in Genoa?

This is where I think it depends on how you travel.

If you’re only interested in Genoa itself, I’d say 2–3 days is plenty for a first visit.

That gives you enough time to explore the city, eat some good food, walk around the historic areas and visit the coast.

But if you want to use Genoa as a base for exploring Liguria?

I’d happily stay for 4–6 days.

I stayed for six days and genuinely didn’t regret it.

Not because I spent six days desperately trying to find new tourist attractions in Genoa, but because every day could be something different.

One day Genoa.

One day Boccadasse.

One day Nervi.

One day Portofino.

Another little coastal spot.

Maybe Cinque Terre.

Then back to Genoa for dinner and an Aperol.

That sounds like a pretty great week to me.

Is Genoa a Good Base for Northern Italy?

Yes, especially if you’re already travelling through Northern Italy.

Genoa fits really nicely into a route because it gives you something completely different from inland cities like Milan or Turin.

Instead of another big city, you suddenly have the sea.

And I think that’s exactly why I enjoyed adding it to my trip.

After spending time sightseeing in cities, it was so nice to have a few days where the main activity was basically:

find water → swim → eat → Aperol → repeat.

Very demanding itinerary.

If you’re planning the whole trip, you can also see how Genoa fits into my Northern Italy Travel Guide.

Is Genoa Good for a Budget Trip?

I think so.

Obviously, your budget depends on accommodation and how often you eat out, but I found Genoa pleasantly affordable.

The city doesn’t have the same reputation for being an expensive tourist destination as some other Italian hotspots, and there are plenty of casual places to eat and drink.

And then you have all those free things that make a coastal trip enjoyable anyway.

Walking along the water.

Exploring little neighbourhoods.

Finding swimming spots.

Sitting on the rocks.

Wandering through the streets.

You don’t need to spend €50 every time you leave your accommodation to have a good day in Genoa.

Which, as a backpacker, I very much appreciate.

Is Genoa Better Than Other Italian Coastal Destinations?

I wouldn’t say Genoa is objectively better.

It depends on what you’re looking for.

If you want glamorous beaches and luxury, there are other places in Italy that might suit you better.

If you want a tiny postcard-perfect village, there are plenty of those too.

If you want the famous Instagram version of the Italian coast, places like Portofino and Cinque Terre will probably be more what you’re looking for.

But if you want a real city by the sea, with good prices, plenty of places to explore and lots of smaller coastal spots nearby, Genoa is a really fun option.

And personally, that combination worked perfectly for me.

So, Is Genoa Worth Visiting?

YES.

I went to Genoa because I wanted somewhere by the water where I could swim.

I stayed for six days.

That probably says enough.

What I liked most wasn’t necessarily that Genoa had the biggest list of attractions in Italy.

It was the combination of the city and the coast.

You can spend the morning wandering around Genoa, grab lunch, hop on a train or bus and suddenly you’re somewhere completely different.

A tiny bay.

A colourful seaside village.

A swimming spot.

A coastal promenade.

Portofino.

Nervi.

Boccadasse.

Cinque Terre.

There are so many options.

And because Genoa isn’t quite as famous as some of Italy’s other destinations, I found the prices pleasantly reasonable and the atmosphere much more relaxed.

My absolute favourite moment was probably sitting by the water in Boccadasse with a €5 Aperol Spritz to go.

Honestly?

What more do you need?

So, is Genoa worth visiting?

If you want a fun Italian city by the sea, especially in summer, I would absolutely say yes.

Just don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to spend your entire trip inside the city centre.

The real fun starts when you look at the coastline around it.

My Final Take

Genoa wasn’t a place I had been dreaming about visiting for years.

It was basically a “hey, that’s on the coast, let’s go there” decision.

And somehow that turned into six days.

I think that’s why I liked it so much.

There was no pressure to have the perfect itinerary.

I could explore the city, find a new swimming spot, take a day trip, sit by the sea with an Aperol or just wander around.

And sometimes those are the trips I remember most.

So if you’re travelling through Northern Italy and want to add a few days by the sea, don’t overlook Genoa.

It might just surprise you too.

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

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

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FAQ: Is Genoa Worth Visiting?

Is Genoa worth visiting?

Yes. Genoa is a great destination if you want a combination of city, coastline, swimming spots, restaurants and easy day trips. I originally visited for the sea and ended up staying for six days because I enjoyed the city and surrounding coast so much.

How many days do you need in Genoa?

For Genoa itself, 2–3 days is enough for a first visit. If you want to use Genoa as a base for exploring the Ligurian coast, I would stay 4–6 days.

Is Genoa expensive?

I found Genoa relatively affordable compared with some of Italy’s more famous tourist destinations. During my trip, I could get an Aperol Spritz in Boccadasse for around €5, although prices naturally vary depending on the place and season.

Is Genoa good in summer?

Yes, especially if you want to combine sightseeing with swimming and time by the sea. Summer gives you plenty of opportunities to explore the coastal areas around Genoa and find swimming spots.

Can you swim in Genoa?

Yes. There are several beaches, rocky swimming spots and seaside areas around Genoa where you can swim, especially during summer. Boccadasse was one of my favourite places for spending time by the water.

Is Boccadasse worth visiting?

Absolutely. Boccadasse was my favourite place around Genoa. I loved the colourful houses, little beach, sea views and relaxed atmosphere. Getting an Aperol Spritz to go and sitting by the water was one of my favourite Genoa experiences.

Can you visit Portofino from Genoa?

Yes. Portofino can be visited as a day trip while staying in Genoa, making it a great addition to a Ligurian coast itinerary.

Can you visit Cinque Terre from Genoa?

Yes. Cinque Terre can also be added as a day trip from Genoa. I would treat it as a separate day rather than trying to combine it with exploring Genoa itself.

Is Genoa touristy?

Genoa definitely has tourists, but I found it much more relaxed than some of Italy’s most famous destinations. It still feels like a functioning Italian city rather than a place built entirely around tourism.

Where should you stay in Genoa?

I stayed at Ostello Bello Genoa, which was convenient for the bus and train station. For my next visit, I would probably choose somewhere slightly closer to the city centre to be nearer restaurants, bars and the main atmosphere of Genoa.

Is Genoa worth visiting for six days?

Yes, if you use it as a base for exploring the surrounding coast. I stayed for six days and enjoyed having time for Genoa itself as well as Boccadasse, Nervi, Portofino and other coastal places nearby.

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