Genoa Aquarium
Genoa is home to the Acquario di Genova, which is the
second-largest aquarium in Europe and the best in Italy. Built in
1992, it welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors each year. The
ship-like building on the promenade houses no fewer than 50
habitats, ranging from the Amazon basin and Red Sea coral reefs to
Antarctic penguin pools. Hundreds of species that call the aquarium
home include seals, dolphins, caiman, piranhas, jellyfish, sea
turtles, and sharks - the penguins are very entertaining and are
particular favourites with visitors. The aquarium is extremely
well-maintained and has good English-language facilities. It is a
fantastic family attraction in Genoa, and gives kids a fun break
from traditional sightseeing. Unexpectedly, the aquarium also has a
hummingbird sanctuary.
Due to its popularity the aquarium can get crowded in the summer
months and it is a good idea to arrive early to avoid queuing.
There have been complaints about scams and petty theft outside of
the aquarium - the most commonly reported scam involves salesmen
tying bracelets tight onto visitors wrists and then demanding
payment once they cannot be removed. These hawkers are sometimes
just a distraction so watch out for pickpocketing.
Address:
Ponte Spinola
Jellyfish
Gary Bembridge
Palazzo Tursi
Formerly Genoa's City Hall, the Palazzo Tursi is the largest and
most majestic of all the magnificent buildings on the Via
Garibaldi. Built in 1565, the building is now a museum and houses
unique artefacts like the violin of Nicolo Paganini, and ashes that
are said to be the remains of Christopher Colombus. The museum also
contains numerous decorative artworks, like tapestries, furniture
and Ligurian ceramics, as well as historical artefacts like ancient
coins and medical devices. The collection is varied and unexpected
and although some may feel it lacks cohesion, others love the
unusual nature of the exhibits. On sunny days, you can break from
the museum's collections and just enjoy the beauty of the
building's many-columned interior courtyard.
The museums along the lovely Via Garibaldi are known
collectively as the 'Musei di Strada Nuova' and the individual
buildings are the Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Tursi.
All the museums are worth a visit and you can buy a joint ticket
valid for all three from the bookshop between Bianco and Tursi.
There is a popular cafe at Palazzo Rosso if you feel the need to
refuel between collections.
Address:
9 Via Garibaldi
Palazzo Tursi
Andrea Puggioni
Museum of Sant' Agostino
The 13th-century church and monastery of Sant'Agostino, once a
place of retirement and seclusion, is now open for visitors to view
the amazing collections within. The church itself was built by the
Augustinians in 1260, and is one of the few Gothic buildings
remaining in Genoa. Today, the cloisters are a museum housing more
than 4,000 works, including metal and stone sculptures, frescoes,
and many architectural artefacts and fragments. One of the most
popular attractions in Genoa, the museum is a must-see for visitors
to the region. Although not large, the museum receives rave reviews
from visitors. One of the only drawbacks is that, like many museums
in Genoa, Sant'Agostino has very little information in English and
those who don't speak Italian should try to bring some materials
with them. The museum is gradually linking its artefacts to mobile
phone guides in English and Italian but this project is in its
infancy. Photography is allowed in the museum but only non-flash
and only in certain sections; visitors may be required to fill out
a form stating that they won't use the photographs taken for
commercial purposes.
Address:
Piazza Sarzano
Museum Sant Agostino
Twice25
Genoa is located on the Mediterranean, but is sheltered by the
hills and mountains in the area, giving it a temperate climate with
warm, dry summers and cool winters. The coldest months are December
through February, with average temperatures dropping to 43°F (6°C).
Summers in Genoa are long, lasting from May to October; in the
warmest months (July and August) average highs peak around 82°F
(28°C). September to January is the rainiest time of year. Genoa is
rather windy, especially during winter. The best time to visit
Genoa is in the spring, particularly May, when the weather is
pleasant and the crowds are small.
Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport
Location: The airport is located about four miles (7km) from
Genoa.
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to
the last Sunday in September).
Getting to the city:
The Volabus shuttle departs the airport every 30-60 minutes from
around 6am to midnight, heading to the Brignole and Principe Train
Stations via the city centre. Tickets can be bought from the
airport or on the bus. Another option is the i24 service which
links the airport to Sestri railway station.
Car Rental:
Car hire companies at Genoa Airport include Avis, Budget, Sixt,
Europcar, Hertz and Maggiore.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available outside the arrival concourse. The official
airport taxi company is Radio Taxi. Flat rates to the major train
stations are available for shared cabs.
Facilities:
There are restaurants and bars, shops, ATMs, VIP lounges, a lost
and found, and information services at the airport. An airport
hotel is also available, and the airport has meeting
facilities.
Parking
There is parking available within walking distance of the
terminal. It is possible to pay by either cash or card at either
the automatic pay points, or at the manned pay station (between the
hours of 4pm and midnight only).
The AMT bus network is generally considered the best way to get
around in Genoa. There is also a network of trains, although this
is not as comprehensive, that connects the Brignole train station
to the town centre and the Stazione Principe (main train station).
Tickets are available from newspaper kiosks or stations. AMT also
operates a public boat service called Navebus, which connects Porto
Antico to Pegli, and offers good views of the city. Driving is
often said to be the fastest way to get around Genoa, but finding a
parking space can be a nightmare. Visitors who opt to hire a car in
Genoa will find it easiest to park outside the city centre, as most
attractions within are in easy walking distance of one another.
It is perhaps odd that the largest medieval town in Italy,
blessed with untold cultural riches, is best known among travellers
for its aquarium. The second-largest in Europe, Genoa's Aquarium is
no doubt worth a visit, particularly for those travelling with
kids, but the greatest tourist attractions in Genoa are the
palaces, churches and piazzas of the medieval old town. Some of the
most notable landmarks are the Basilica of Santa Maria di Castello,
the Palazzi dei Rolli (Genoa has something like 42 palaces), the
Duomo di Genova (Genoa Cathedral), the Royal Palace Museum, the
13th-century church and monastery of Sant'Agostino, and Palazzo
Tursi, formerly Genoa's City Hall. A stroll down the Via Garibaldi
is a must, and a walk along Genoa's promenade, the Passeggiata
Anita Garibaldi a Nervi, is a delight.
Eating is a celebrated tourist activity in Genoa, and the city's
restaurant scene is one of its attractions. Among the many delights
that Italian cuisine has brought to the world, Genoa can claim two
as its own: the city was the birthplace of pesto sauce,
traditionally made from herbs, olive oil and pine nuts; and
foccaccia, a kind of flat oven-baked bread topped with olive oil
and white wine (or whatever you want to pile on). The old town of
the city has many good restaurants, and there's also a great
selection in Porto Antico, down by the harbour.