The old port Genoa’s.

Porto Antico, completely redesigned in the 1990s, is an area of the city’s port revisited as a tourist and residential district. Over the years it has become a true point of reference for citizens and tourists, a venue for events and exhibitions.

Within the Porto Antico area you can: Enjoy a splendid view of the Lanterna, the symbol of the city; ride the Bigo elevator, a modern monument designed by Renzo Piano, up and down and admire the view; Visit the Biosphere and the Aquarium, which I will talk about shortly (⇒ remember to buy the online ticket first here from the official website); Check out Porta Siberia, part of the old 16th-century city walls; Have fun in the accommodation facilities (cinemas, restaurants, play areas) of the Magazzini del Cotone; Go shopping and take a look at the beautiful boats moored along the promenade.

The Aquarium and the Biosphere.

The Genoa Aquarium, which you will find right in the Porto Antico area, is the largest aquarium in Europe and houses around 6,000 marine specimens of more than 600 species. It is a fascinating and unique exhibition area, made even more special by the splendid pool dedicated to dolphins. Inside the Genoa Aquarium, you can not only visit the many marine species that inhabit it, but also participate in events, educational moments and shows. Also in the Porto Antico area, you will come across a gigantic exhibition globe: the Biosphere, a glass and steel sphere, placed right in front of the Aquarium. Within this sphere, a large number of tropical animal and vegetable beings live undisturbed, thanks to the climate specially created within the great globe.

Also designed by the famous architect Renzo Piano, it was inaugurated in 2001 for the G8 summit held in the city.

The Cathedral of San Lorenzo.

Always keeping to the architectural-artistic theme, continuing your walk from the Porto Antico, I recommend that you take the characteristic Via San Lorenzo and come across the basilica of the city, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. The consecration of the cathedral dates back to the 12th century and, since then, it has been the nerve center of the Catholic religion in the city. Externally, you will admire its Gothic portals, 3 to be precise, surmounted by bas-reliefs and high-reliefs, while laterally you will be greeted by two lions dating from the mid-19th century. Inside, various artistic styles blend creating a unique atmosphere, frescoes overlook the barrel-vaulted columns while in the right side aisle you can see an English naval sector grenade, dating from World War II, thrown into the cathedral from its roof. but it never exploded (and legends abound here about how the bomb fell inside the Cathedral and didn’t explode on me). A multitude of architectural works and frescoes complement the splendid architecture, an artistic jewel, in short, that has survived the ages and peoples.

Piazza De Ferrari and the Carlo Felice.

Theater Continuing your walk along via Dante, you will come across the most famous square in Genoa, Piazza De Ferrari. With its large fountain in the center in front of one of the entrances to the Doge’s Palace, Piazza De Ferrari is the nerve center of events, demonstrations and vitality in the city. Near Piazza De Ferrari you can admire the Teatro Carlo Felice, the city’s opera house, home to opera seasons and unique concerts. In recent years it has also hosted events not strictly related to the classical repertoire, such as musicals, pop music concerts and modern ballet companies.

An aperitif in the characteristic village of Boccadasse.

Why not relax a bit while enjoying a good aperitif overlooking the sea? Boccadasse is a characteristic Genoese seaside town located on the eastern side of the long seafront of Corso Italia. In the village of Boccadasse you can admire the characteristic colored houses that once belonged to fishermen, a small beach with moored boats and fishing boats, ice cream parlors, small businesses that prepare typical dishes and easily accessible rocks from which to admire the sea.  

The Nervi Promenade.

Another Genoese jewel is undoubtedly the Paseo Anita Garibaldi, better known as Paseo de los Nervi. About two kilometers of walk overlooking the sea, with a view of the characteristic Genoese rocks, will make you relax and give you a general impression of the eastern city. From Paseo de Nervi, in addition to the possibility of using the bars and restaurants, you will be able to see the Portofino mountain to the east and west, immortalizing the characteristic small port of the Nervi district.