Genoa is a city you can discover even in just a few hours, as long as you plan your time well. Between the historic centre, the Old Port and the seafront, here's an itinerary designed for those with just one day available, perfect too for guests staying at Marina Place who want to dedicate the rest of their time to relaxing and to Marina Genova.
Morning: historic centre and caruggi
Start the day in Genoa's historic centre, one of the largest in Europe, with its caruggi: narrow alleys winding between historic palazzi, shops and small churches. From Piazza De Ferrari, the beating heart of the city, you can walk to Via Garibaldi and its UNESCO World Heritage palazzi, or lose yourself among the market stalls and artisan shop windows. It's the best way to breathe in the city's authentic atmosphere before it fills with tourists.
Lunch: pesto and Genoese focaccia
Midday calls for a food stop: Genoese focaccia, warm and fresh out of the oven, is the perfect snack to eat while strolling through the caruggi. For a more complete lunch, dishes based on pesto alla genovese, trofie or trenette, are a classic worth trying in one of the centre's trattorias. If you'd rather stay in the Marina Genova area, you'll find several options near the marina too, convenient if you've left your car at Marina Place.
Afternoon: Old Port and Aquarium
The afternoon is the ideal time to head to the Old Port, the redeveloped seafront area that is home to the Bigo, the Magazzini del Cotone and the Genoa Aquarium, one of the largest in Europe. If you're travelling with family or simply love marine life, spending a few hours at the Aquarium is an experience worth the trip: that's precisely why Marina Place offers a dedicated package with skip-the-line tickets to the Genoa Aquarium, designed for those who want to make the most of their time even on a one-day visit.
Where to stay to visit Genoa in a day
If your itinerary includes moving between the airport, city centre and Marina Genova, staying at Marina Place gives you a convenient, central base for every stop of the day: 10 minutes from the historic centre, a step from Marina Genova and just minutes from Cristoforo Colombo airport, with free parking included. For any information on itineraries and transfers, our staff at reception are always available.