Europe’s biggest historical centre

Get lost in the old world, where the search for a new one brought riches that have been carefully preserved.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

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Historic centre of Genoa, Italy

In the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, who was to go on to discover a ‘new world’, you can discover an old one.

Genoa feels as though it is still a product of its history, as though everything has stayed almost the same despite the influence of unavoidable modernisation. It is not a city where the new has simply been transposed over the foundations of the old.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

At the port the merchant shops still come in – although the enormous tankers look a little different to the ships of the 16th century – but now they’re also joined by yachts and cruise liners.

The Old Harbour, which brought Genoa its wealth and international fame over the centuries, has recently been redeveloped and, perhaps ironically, is now the most modern part of the city.

With the enormous Genoa Aquarium and Museum of the Sea – along with artwork like the Bolla – the harbour area now attracts a lot of tourists.

(Oh, and if you want to skip the queue for the Genoa Aquarium, you can do that here.)

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

But the way I look at it, this is still consistent with the image of Genoa as a preserved piece of history. A harbour should always be changing, it should be influenced but those who pass through it, it should modernise to keep bringing in people from around the world.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

It is also special that the redevelopment was done by Genoa’s own architect Renzo Piano (famous for works like the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the Shard in London and the Whitney Museum in New York City).

A harbour connects a city to the rest of the world it doesn’t define it. And so, from the Old Harbour of Genoa, let’s head in towards the biggest historic centre in Europe.

It’s a maze of a place, with plenty to see, and you can take this guided tour to get your bearings and see the highlights.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

In the alleys near the harbour, there are restaurants selling cuisines from around the world. A nod to the international influences that come from a port and the people who arrive by boat but never leave.

But beyond the curries and tagines, Genoa is distinctly Italian. In the windows of the food stores, you can see two of the local Genovese products that the city is particularly proud of: focaccia and pesto. Luckily they go so well together.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

Through the streets, some busy and some quiet, are buildings from an age that is not quite definable beyond ‘not recent’. They are from the 15th century, or the 19th century, or somewhere in between. Each could be a landmark or just a normal home.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

Finding Genoa Cathedral amongst the maze of streets seems almost accidental the first time. There is no great avenue leading to it or large piazza around it. Although, when you do stop to think about where it is, you realise it is about halfway between the harbour and the central Piazza De Ferrari.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

Genoa Cathedral was first built on this site in 1098, on top of the remains of an old basilica several centuries older. As is often the case, there have been changes in the millennia since it was first constructed, either because of changing tastes or for necessity because of damage.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

It is probably mostly defined by its medieval characteristics, though. Go inside and the long aisle and high ceilings create a wonderful sense of space in an otherwise dark interior with only limited flashes of gold and light through stained-glass windows.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

Scale is not always necessary to impress here in Genoa. Some of the smallest buildings can have a hidden treasure trove that you just need to lift the lid on.

I pop into a church that I spot as I walk past. A rather unpretentious entrance does nothing to either encourage or dissuade me from having a look. As it turns out, the Church of San Donato is a small masterpiece. Built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style, it has simple interiors but holds some wonderful pieces of art.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

If there was one thing that Genoa should be proud of aside from its architecture, it’s the art. The city is not as ostentatious as somewhere like Florence in flaunting what it has. But there is actually such a deep pool of works held in public and private collections across the city.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

It all comes together at the Palazzi Dei Rolli on the Strade Nuove on the northern edge of the historic centre. These grand palatial homes are where many of these artworks are now held.

You can visit some of them on Via Garibaldi and see for yourself (or have an excellent guide show you the best). The buildings are incredible – and have been included on the World Heritage List. But the galleries within them are treasures in themselves.

To get a sense of it all, I head up to the Belvedere Montaldo (Spianata Castelletto). This viewpoint on a hill above Genoa gives you a 360 degree perspective of the city.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

Getting up to the Belvedere Montaldo is an experience in itself, with Art Nouveau elevators operating as part of the city’s public transport system. (I ride up and down for free before realising that I was supposed to somehow buy a ticket to use it).

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

But it’s the views that make this spot so special. It’s not just that the vistas are pretty (they are) but it’s the perspective that helps pull everything into place.

Just below are the palaces, then the mess of the urban layout of the historic centre, past the cathedral, and down to the harbour.

Europe's biggest historical centre, Genoa, Italy

There are villas and other luxurious houses on the hillsides above the city, there are cruise liners in the port further away from the city centre, there are even beaches along the coastline if you look hard enough.

When you’re in the middle of it all, you realise how much history there is, even if it’s not all visible at once. To help, I’ve got a few suggestions here for ways to explore Genoa with a local:

History is everywhere, but so is modern life, and so is evolution. It’s an old world in a new world, ready for you to discover it.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN GENOA

While you may not be able to live in one of Genoa’s palaces, there are still great places to stay in the city.

BACKPACKER

For a great budget option, Ostellin has such beautiful rooms.

BUDGET

For an affordable room, B&B il Blu di Genova is clean and comfortable.

BOUTIQUE

If you’re looking for something stylish Hotel Le Nuvole Residenza d’Epoca has a very cool design.

LUXURY

And for luxury, the Meliá Genova has five star quality.

15 thoughts on “Europe’s biggest historical centre”

  1. Genoa looks so bright and colorful. Typical Italian city, with narrow alleys and old baroque churches. I’d love to visit it someday and visit some of these art collections. Great pictures, by the way!

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  2. Genoa looks like my kind of city! Mind you, I just about love all Italian cities. Genoa reminds me a little of Marseille, with the cathedral and lovely preserved architecture, but with modern elements along the water. Gorgeous photos – they’ve convinced me to add it to my growing Italian cities wish list!

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  3. What a beautiful city! It’s tough (or maybe impossible) to find the right balance between historic preservation and the flexibility and vitality of a living city.

    I’ve done the classic tourist cities in Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan) and random ones (Bologna, Trieste), but somehow I’ve never made it to Genoa. This certainly has me thinking it’s time for a trip to see the sites I’ve missed before!

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  4. I love visiting cities that have a mix of both the old and new. I feel like Japan is like this as you can visit a temple and right next door, you can also go shopping in huge modern buildings.
    Funny that you were riding the elevator and didn’t realize, until later, that you needed to buy a ticket. I’ve had that happen to me before where I didn’t realize I needed to buy a ticket and walked into the facility. I felt bad though and paid after I realized what I had done:)

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  5. I could clearly see why tourist has an interest in visiting Italy again and again. I do love to visit this place and wondering how it feels like to be there. I will gladly share this. Btw, Canada is a beautiful place to visit too. I hope you’ll get a chance to venture the place. However, you might need a visa or permit before entering the country. Visit https://www.travelvisacanada.ca/ if you wish to apply.

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  6. I have visited this historic center in Genoa.This place is as same as the city in which it exists, it is as beautiful as Genoa is.And if you want to explore this place then visit it in the daytime when the sun is out in its full swing.

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  7. Strange that I have never heard a lot about what looks like a very underrated city in Italy. I have been there at least a dozen times as part of my itineraries and I see that no one has mentioned Genoa much. Why? strange?!!! Anyways, thanks for writing this because I;m gonna add it to my list of places that I want to be in.

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  8. Great article and amazing pictures! I had the pleasure of visiting Genoa in June 2018, it is a beautiful large city. Best pizza in all of Italy! Unfortunately, Genoa’s beauty especially the narrow streets surrounding the harbor are all overrun with refugees now and drugs…

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  9. I love very much to the historical value of the Genoa City. during the visit we stayed at the Hotel Assoritti at the Genoa.
    I am from Sri Lanka.
    Please send me any comments or I need to build up relationship with Community of the Genoa City.
    I expect.

    Reply
  10. I spent 5 days with my family in Genova is a beautiful ,colourful and vibrant city. I will definitely visit there again if God wills.

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  11. A captivating journey through Genoa’s historic center! Your descriptive storytelling brings its charm and history to life. Thanks for sharing this immersive experience and taking us on a time-traveling adventure through Italy’s hidden gem.

    Reply

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