My wife and I have fallen for Genoa – hard. We first visited last year in February, and when the opportunity for another trip came up this summer, we couldn’t resist. With stunning ocean views, towering mountains, and a rich history, Genoa has everything you could want from an Italian getaway.
On a clear day, when you look out over the ocean, you can even see the snow-capped Alps. It’s breathtaking.
The city itself is huge and bustling, but it has so many peaceful spots too. One of the best things to do is take a walk along the seafront promenade. It leads you to Boccadasse, a picturesque mariners’ village with multicoloured houses.
Boccadasse is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Italy, and it’s not hard to see why. A new study by Florence Tickets and Tours revealed it’s the most Instagrammed hidden gem in the country, with 137,595 posts on Instagram. It’s no wonder – this little village, with its pastel-coloured houses and cobblestone beach, is like stepping into a postcard.
But there’s more to Genoa than beautiful scenery. The food, for example, is reason enough to visit.
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One of our favourite spots was Il Genovese, one of the oldest restaurants in the city and famously credited for giving the world pesto. If you visit, they’ll give you a pot of their homemade pesto to start with, which, in my opinion, is the best in the world.
There are also plenty of pizzerias along the seafront, perfect for a relaxed evening with the most authentic Italian pizza you’ll ever taste.
For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, the mountains surrounding the city offer plenty of hiking opportunities.
Getting there is easy too, thanks to the city’s unique funicular – a free tram that climbs uphill and drops you off at a breathtaking viewpoint. From there, you can explore the vast mountain range and take in views that are impossible to describe.
Genoa is also home to two football clubs: Genoa FC and Sampdoria. I was lucky enough to attend a game between Genoa and Palermo, and the atmosphere was unforgettable.
English fans might also be interested to know that Genoa FC has a bit of history with England. James Richardson Spensley, an Englishman, founded the club in 1893, making it the oldest football club in Italy.
And if you fancy a quick day trip, Genoa is well-connected by train. One of our highlights was a visit to Portofino. A return train ticket only cost £15, and we were there in under 30 minutes. While there, and I’m not very proud of it, I had the most expensive plate of pasta in my life, which cost me €33 (around £29) – but it was annoyingly delicious. Fun fact: some of the Kardashians even got married there.
All in all, Genoa is a magnificent place that offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether it’s the food, the football, or the unforgettable views, this city will capture your heart just like it did ours.
In other good news, there are frequent flights to Genoa from London Stansted. We paid around £45 for a round trip with Ryanair and the flight took around 1h30mins.