Genoa

Genoa is one of Italy’s most fascinating and atmospheric cities, clinging dramatically to a narrow strip of land between steep green hills and the sparkling Ligurian Sea. For centuries it was a powerhouse of trade and exploration, sending ships across the known world and building extraordinary wealth along the way. That seafaring spirit is still everywhere you look — from the grand old harbour to the magnificent Renaissance palaces of Via Garibaldi and the Palazzi dei Rolli, where kings and nobles once stayed as honoured guests.

Wander away from the waterfront and you’ll find yourself swallowed up by a labyrinth of medieval alleyways so narrow that outstretched arms can brush both walls at once. These shadowy lanes are full of surprises: tiny food stalls, hidden churches, and centuries of stories baked into every stone.

Genoa is also proud to be the hometown of one of history’s most daring explorers, whose childhood home still stands in the city today. Whether you love history, food, or the open sea, Genoa never stops being exciting.