Genoa Holidays

Holidays in Genoa take you to a place where history effortlessly melts into a modern and dynamic cityscape. Perfect for a couple’s holiday, the mid-sized Ligurian capital offers stunning sights, a maze of winding cobblestone paths and family owned hotels and restaurants where visitors are greeted with gregarious Italian hospitality. History buffs will marvel at Genoa’s Doge’s Palace and imagine life in the days of Columbus. Families will find countless fun things to do, from visiting the largest aquarium in Italy to tasting their way through dozens of superb gelaterias dotted throughout the city.

For the casual visitor, city breaks in Genoa are mainly about history and the magnificent architecture, which is so ubiquitous in its splendour that it becomes part of the scenery. But dig a little further beneath the surface and you will find hidden delights such as hole in the wall cocktail bars, forgotten sleepy churches where no tourists set foot and residential areas where you can watch the real, unpolished Genovese life roll by.

Explore Genoa like no other

At Citalia we’re the leading specialist for holidays in Italy. We have almost 90 years of expertise and will help you to create a city break in Genoa like no other.

Find the hidden gems with Citalia, including the Bocadasse neighbourhood. An hour away from Genoa’s city centre along a coastal walk, this old fishing village is a photographer’s heaven. Most scenic is the tiny harbour, where colourful houses stacked like building blocks overlook the Mediterranean which gently laps the pebbly beach directly below them.

If the sea breeze doesn’t provide enough cooling on a hot summer day, try to make it to the Villetta Di Negro; a beautiful park with artificial caves and a gorgeous, multi stair waterfall. If you make it to the very top up the winding paths, you are well rewarded with a panoramic view of the city.

If you’re visiting Genoa in October, make sure to experience the Rolli Days. On this annual occasion, the city opens the gates to the palaces which line the Via Garibaldi, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Each year, one or two new palaces join the open door policy, delighting visitors with their Baroque and Renaissance splendour.
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Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Citalia holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

Things to do in Genoa

Starting out at the Palazzo di San Giorgio, you can marvel at its exterior frescoes and picture Marco Polo, its most famous resident, dictating his memoirs. A few minutes from there you pass through the heart of Genoa - the central Piazza De Ferrari with its giant water fountain, flanked by the opera and Doge’s Palace

From there it’s a short walk to the must see Via Garibaldi, which is the cobblestoned cultural artery of the city. You can take a break from palaces by climbing a steep hill to the Castelletto, a residential area with fabulous views over Genoa. Grab a gelato on your way back down and catch a cab to the harbour where Italy’s biggest aquarium waits for you.

Expand your horizons beyond the city and take the train to Riomaggiore, the jump off point for a tour of Cinque Terre, a portion of the Ligurian coast where you’ll find colourful villages perched precariously on steep cliffs. Hire a car or just hop from town to town using the local train. Each of the five villages has its own special charm, and it’s worth seeing them all.

Flight Information

Most flights to Liguria arrive into Pisa airport (PSA) although visitors to the west of the Riviera can also fly into Nice (please call our Italy Experts to book flights to Nice). Direct flights to Pisa are available from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and London Stansted and take approximately 2 hours and 10min.

When to go

Genoa is an all year-round destination, with a consistent tourist trade throughout the year thanks to the city’s cruise terminal. From late spring to early autumn, the city is at its best, with many shops and restaurants open until late, and climate idea for exploring the Ligurian coastline. Winters are wet and mild, bringing a medieval-themed Christmas market to the city in December, plus there are plenty of indoor attractions to enjoy. However, shops, restaurants and some attractions close during winter so plan accordingly.  

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.
 
On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.
 
On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.

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We have been helping our customers discover the real Italy for 95 years now. Our experience and expertise, together with our attention to detail and personal touch, really does make us the leading Italian holiday specialist.

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