Sitting on Italy’s south-west coast, the country’s biggest seaport city, Genoa, combines industry with beautiful medieval and renaissance landmarks. The city has a long maritime history, including being the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Genoa is home to some of the Liguria region’s most famous sights, finest shopping, great family days out and cultural hotspots. Football fans will be in good company here, with two Serie A sides, Sampdoria and Genoa CFC, Italy’s first club, calling Genoa home. Hiring a car in Genoa will make exploring the city easy, and open up other possibilities for your trip – like the chance to take in the stunning Italian Riviera.
Genoa has a rich tapestry of history, which means it has no shortage of attractions. Stroll around the city centre’s narrow, cobbled streets, taking in the beautiful Piazza de Ferrari, they city’s main square, surrounded by some of the city’s landmarks, including Palazzo Ducale and the Teatro Carlo Felice opera house. If you are looking for a spot of retail therapy, Via Roma is home to Genoa’s most luxurious stores, while Via XX Settembre has more independent boutiques and hosts the Mercato Orientale, a celebrated indoor market. For a family day out, take in a trip to the renovated port, and visit Acquario di Genova, Europe’s largest aquarium. After exploring the historic city, rent a car from Genoa and visit the beautiful beaches near the city, including Quarto, which is just a 40-minute drive down the coast.
