Genoa, Italy

Genoa is a city and a seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria.Famous as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Genoa remains a bustling seaport. The city's Renaissance heritage is preserved in splendid palaces overlooking the harbor.

The Old Quarter of Genoa, is especially enthralling for those who like to explore. It is best to travel on foot through the narrow streets (called carruggi) which are meticulously kept, as are the expansive palazzi (mansions) of medieval merchants which line them. Around the Palazzo Reale, many shops sell Turkish carpets and the best of silk.

Other attractions in Genoa include the Palazzo Ducale now used for exhibitions and concerts, the Via Garibaldi art gallery and the original waterfront or Porto Antico. The waterfront is also full of atmosphere and there are many bars and restaurants where one can watch the world go by. The 16th century lighthouse, the Lanterna, which rises over 120 meters (325 steps!) above the sea, can be seen 50 kilometers away, and has guided mariners to the port for 100s of years.

Things to See & Do

* Piazza de Ferrari
* Strada Nuova
* St. Lawrence Cathedral
* Second largest aquarium in the world located at Porto Antico (old harbor)
* Galleria Mazzini

General information

Cruise Season - Feb to Dec
Currency - Euro (€)
Language - Italian
Land Area - 243 km²
Population - 645,000
Electricity - 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT/UTC plus one hour
International Country Telephone Code - 010

Port Location - The Port of Genoa is located in downtown Genoa.

Transport Links - The Aeroporto di Genova - Cristoforo Colombo provides several daily flights from other major European cities such as Rome, Amsterdam, London, Munich, and Paris. From the airport it is fairly easy to rent a car or take a shuttle (bus no. 100, also called Volabus) to the city center.

Genoa can be easy travelled to by train from Milan, Turin, Rome, Tuscany (Pisa, Livorno and Florence (changing train in Pisa or Viareggio)) and France (There is a direct train connecting with Nice).

Genoa can be reached via Eurolines coach from many European countries.

Genoa is an important port, and has many ferry services. Grandi Navi Veloci crosses from Barcelona weekly, and takes about eighteen hours. It also offers a weekly crossing to Tangiers, which takes around forty-six. Other direct ferry routes from Genoa are; Barcelona (Spain), Bastia (Corsica), Olbia, Palermo (Italy) and Porto Torres.