It doesn’t take long to fall in love with an Italian city. But I have to share how I fell in love with Genova. This historic port city in Liguria was one of my top places to visit in the winter of 2018. Genova is an underrated gem in the region of Liguria that is filled with delicious things to eat and interesting things to do. I only had a few hours to see the city and I wasn’t complaining.
How I fell in love with Genova
Famous for spectacular views of the sea and it’s endless line of palazzi, Genova is known for being vibrant with it’s historic shops, delicious food and rugged caruggi (streets). If you don’t already know, Genova is historically important because it is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus!
Additionally, it has a line of mouth watering simple food up its alley! Every corner of Genova speaks food. If you’re traveling to the city, don’t miss the focaccia (needs no introduction), farinata (flatbread made of chickpea, water and olive oil) and the fresh seafood.
Here are some pictures to show you all that yummy-ness and also all how I fell in love with Genova.
Piazza de Ferrari
San Lorenzo Cathedral
An antique bookstore
An ancient Candy Store
Pasticceria Klainguti from 1828!
A colorful Cinquecento #fiat500
Seafood galore
Always look up at the details of Genova’s Palazzo
I forgot to go inside
Piazza dei Trugoli di Santa Brigida
Bar Cavo
If you have a few hours in Genova, don’t come with any agenda except to wander around and eat. Furthermore, read this blog post by Slow Italy and find yourself uncovering the city layer by layer.
What to See in Genova (choose!):
- Piazza de Ferrari
- Palazzo San Giorgi
- Palazzo Reale
- Port of Genova
- Piazza dei Trugoli di Santa Brigida
- Cathedral of San Lorenzo
- Le Strade Nuove
Where to Eat in Genova:
- Cantiere Goloso for delicious Focaccia: Piazza delle Fontane Marose 5
- Sà Pesta for a no frills service and sumptuous farinata: Via dei Giustiniani, 16/R
- Bar Cavo for coffee: Via Balbi, 169 r
- Pasticceria Klainguti for more coffee and pastries: Piazza di Soziglia, 98
- Gelateria Profumo: Vico Superiore del Ferro, 14
Additionally, my personal suggestion is to eat anything with “PESTO” in it. I personally found the area around the San Lorenzo Cathedral costlier than most so I strongly suggest anywhere but there! Genova is wildly underrated and fascinating!
Disclosure: There are “ affiliate links” on my blog. If you purchase something through these links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks for reading Italophilia!
Further Reading:
11 Photos that Decribe Lake Orta
- Amalfi Must Do: Pasticceria Sal De Riso
- How to visit the Amalfi Coast from Salerno
- Arrivederci Montalbano- thoughts on Riccardino
- Basilica di Superga with the moon- una meraviglia
- The view from Vomero Hill, Naples
33 Comments
A Writer in Italy- a podcast on travel, books and art – Italophilia
April 19, 2021 at 9:31 am[…] Also read: How I fell in love with Genoa […]
One Week in Northern Italy: 3 Ultimate Itineraries – Italophilia
July 12, 2020 at 12:25 pm[…] Now that you’re a little acquainted to the city of Genoa, take a peek into its historic palazzi such as Palazzo San Giorgio and Palazzo Reale. Book a tour and get a Museum pass to see its many museums and palazzi. Don’t forget to sample some olive oil and pesto for your trip back home! Check out more on this port city and also where to eat! […]
Carmela (Bellissimamma)
August 5, 2019 at 3:05 pmWe’re going to Genoa for Ferragosto! Thanks for the recommendations. Pesto and farina xoxoxo #dolcevitabloggers
Italophilia
August 10, 2019 at 11:39 amThat’s wonderful bella!! Enjoy 💚💚
boosdiet
August 9, 2018 at 1:14 amMust travel to Trieste.great city
Kristie Prada
July 16, 2018 at 6:19 pmLove this, looks like such a lovely city! Did you choose this as it’s your idea of ‘la dolce vita? I can see why. Some cities just capture you and you can imagine living there.
Italophilia
July 16, 2018 at 8:12 pmYes I did but I had no idea I’d love it so much 😉
Rochelle Del Borrello
July 14, 2018 at 8:59 pmYes, Genova is a real hidden gem, not that touristy apart for being the home of Christopher Columbus so it’s such a wonderfully authentic place to explore. One of my fave movies set in Italy is A Summer in Genova, starring Colin Firth from a few years ago, it is a bit of a sad slow moving story but it’s worth seeing for its depiction of the city. Thanks for sharing your love for this city.
Italophilia
July 14, 2018 at 10:52 pmAbsolutely agree on it being a hidden gem. Although there were a lot of Japanese tourists 😉 I haven’t heard of this movie but I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks for reading, cara!
Kelly
July 13, 2018 at 11:28 pmYou know how much I love Liguria! Genova is another city I must explore someday, especially for the food! ahaha 😉
Italophilia
July 14, 2018 at 11:49 amHahahha Always for the food 😉
Jasmine
July 13, 2018 at 12:52 pmI’ve never been, always just passed but I’m very curious now. It’s had a bad rep in the past but I think it’s changing, it’s always nice to discover things for yourself! Loving the gorgeous photography you have by the way lady! Love, Jasmine of questadolcevita.com
Italophilia
July 13, 2018 at 3:56 pmThanks so much babe!! Agree, you are the third person to tell me that it had a bad rep in the past :O I wonder why?
Carmela
July 11, 2018 at 5:11 pmGenova looks like a magnificent place to visit. The chickpea dish sounds amazing!
Italophilia
July 11, 2018 at 7:42 pmIt was so delicious! Italy is so diverse 🙂
Image Earth Travel
July 11, 2018 at 12:34 amI love Genova, it’s just a beautiful city with a lovely feel and as I have cousins there, I have no excuse to visit again.
Italophilia
July 11, 2018 at 12:07 pmI know 🙂 You definitely should!
LuLu B - Calabrisella Mia
July 10, 2018 at 4:28 pmI’ll be honest, I’m not that familiar with Genova but after reading this and seeing your pics, it’s definitely a place I’d like to visit! 🙂
Italophilia
July 11, 2018 at 12:08 pmI am happy I could change your mind 🙂
Lucy and Kelly
July 10, 2018 at 12:09 pmWe love the sound of a city that smells so good! The pictures look great, it looks like a fascinating place to explore! 🙂
Lucy and Kelly xx
http://www.theblossomtwins.com
Italophilia
July 10, 2018 at 12:10 pmIsn’t it?? Thank you for reading ladies. Love your post too!
shrishtysays
July 10, 2018 at 5:40 amThis place is worth visiting and your description about it is amazing… I have put this place on my list to visit.. Great work
Italophilia
July 10, 2018 at 10:25 amThank you 🙂 I am happy you enjoyed!
marilyneb
July 9, 2018 at 1:49 pmI so want to visit Genoa – it’s on a very long to-visit list 😁. A friend has visited and really loved it.
Italophilia
July 10, 2018 at 10:24 amYou will love it!! I am definitely going again 😉
Lorelle
July 9, 2018 at 11:04 amYay….It’s working(sigh of relief)…I’m back.
Great post on Genoa lovely. Xx
Italophilia
July 9, 2018 at 11:44 amYay !SIGH here too 😉 Thanks dear.
Darlene Foster
July 9, 2018 at 3:24 amI love this city as well. I was happy to just wander. The pesto I brought home from there was the best ever!!
Italophilia
July 9, 2018 at 11:45 amYou are so close! I hope you can revisit 🙂
Fabrizio
July 9, 2018 at 2:45 amGenova is a great city. It’s gritty, unwashed, sometimes downright dodgy, and grand at the same time – not for nothing it’s “La Superba”. It can be direct and carefree as other places in Italy can’t, or won’t, and as you said… food is to die for. Focaccia above all!
Italophilia
July 9, 2018 at 11:43 amThank you Fabrizio! Very well said. I love the nickname too. Foccaccia is to die for 😉
Cristina
July 9, 2018 at 2:29 amGenoa sounds lovely, and the thought of pesto per colazione, pranzo e cena is very appealing! I could have sworn the topic this month was ‘culture shock’ so prepared the wrong topic. Uffa! Hopefully the comment will work this time! Ciao, Cristina
Italophilia
July 9, 2018 at 11:42 amI am so glad to finally receive your comment 😉 Me too. Pesto is so heartwarming, anytime anyday. I too wrote the wrong post. It’s for nextmonth