What to see and what to taste in Genoa, where to sleep and what not to be missed among the alleys of the Ligurian city. All the tips for a day trip to Genoa, a hit and run, a 24-hour break in Genoa, but with style.
As soon as you arrive Genoa , the immediate feeling is a bit that of loss, for those who have never visited it at least once, it is not easy to immediately find the right itinerary to follow. Genoa is like a labyrinth of small alleys which at first glance may appear dilapidated and degraded, but which in reality hide a poetry and a charm, hard to find in any other Italian city.
Given the difficulty in finding convenient and cheap parking spaces, it is It is advisable to arrive in Genoa by train: the station in Piazza Principe is very central, not far from the Porto Antico and the alleys of the center, easily reachable on foot.
Starting right from the historic center which, please note, is also partially UNESCO World Heritage Site, I am the alleys and the creuze the real attraction: the first, ancient medieval alleys, while the second, narrow streets enclosed between buildings. Getting lost along these intricate labyrinths of life and humanity of all kinds is an experience that is difficult to replicate in any other Italian city.
Next to these alleys, where the elegance of decay reigns, there are the noble palaces, the elegant and harmonious squares, the order, the richness of the Rolli complex, once ancient residences of the noble Genoese families. Then again Spinola Palace and Palazzo Ducale, obviously without forgetting the cathedral of San Lorenzo which, in its explosion of art, rises on the very high Piazza San Lorenzo, dominating the internal panorama of the center. If you already have the feeling that one day will not be enough to see Genoa, start thinking about how to spend a whole weekend in Genoa.
Hidden in the intricate alleys of the center, there are numerous taverns, where you can taste the typical Genoese cuisine. Also in this case it is not so easy to find your way around the different choices, in fact many offer tourist menus of poor quality at rather high prices. For those looking for a place where you can taste simple but good raw materials, with the traditional flavors of Ligurian cuisine, we recommend the bruschetteria "Ai Troeggi"In via Chiabrera 61. If Genoese dishes are tempting but you don't know them well enough, I recommend reading the article on 10 typical dishes of Genoa, not to arrive unprepared.
Wine, beer and bruschetta, this is how this tavern run by local young people presents itself, obtained from an ancient cellar whose stone walls, low ceilings and the atmosphere lit only with delicate lights can still be seen. From cold cuts platters, to more delicious dishes based on meat and fish, to get to their strong product: the bruschetta. Not to be missed is obviously the bruschetta with Genoese pesto, accompanied by excellent craft beer (the restaurant offers a very wide choice of exclusively craft beers), or wines from all over Italy.
Moving from the center, you can live the atmosphere of the Cinque Terre, in the old fishermen's quarters of Boccadasse, where you can also find the oldest ice cream parlor in Genoa "da Amedeo" (you will be amazed by the queue to get ice cream) and several trattorias offering fish dishes. It is a rather popular district with tourists, also being one of the most beautiful beaches in the city. Boccadasse still manages to maintain its traditional character, typical of the seaside village, today as well as in the past frequented by fishermen. If Boccadasse as an excursion from the city center of Genoa is not enough for you, consider seeing Camogli too, try to see which 10 things to see in Genoa inspire you more and organize your holiday to the fullest.
Beyond the appearances of a classic tourist attraction, Boccadasse encloses its true Genoese character in the boats stranded on the beach, in the ropes worn by salt, from rusty bolts, from semi-open gates, from balconies overlooking a typically Mediterranean landscape, from the silence that can still be found in some uphill alleys, just moving away from the crowded main streets.
Un small village within the city, Boccadasse is part of the spirit of Genoa, so full of contrasts, so fascinating in its picturesque decline. Perhaps in the end, one day in Genoa will not be enough for you, because after the first hard impact, it is a city that is difficult to forget.
