Visiting Genoa isn?t about ticking sights off a list. It?s about living the life of the locals, parking up to stroll the streets of the old town in a leisurely fashion and taking in the incredible architecture of the city. The old port has been revived, and throughout Genoa there?s the hum of new possibilities as this city moves away from its glorious past into a bright future.
The heart of the city
Piazza De Ferrari is the city?s beating heart, home to an enormous fountain that sits in the centre of the city, surrounded by many iconic buildings, each with their own story to tell.
You can?t miss the remarkable Cathedral of San Lorenzo. This beautiful church dates back to 1098, although that long and illustrious history almost ended in 1941 when a British bomb crashed into it ? fortunately it didn?t explode. The holy relics within might not stand up to too much scrutiny, but they?re testament to the history that has played out within these walls over the hundreds of years.
Pesto pride
As the home of pesto, Genoa is well known for serving simple food with incredible ingredients. The seafood is served fresh from the ocean and the local specialty of baked focaccia with Ligurian oil is best enjoyed with wonderful conversation. In fact, the focaccia is so good that it?s enjoyed by the people of Genoa for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you?re craving pasta, opt for the local specialty of pansotti, which is filled with ricotta, Swiss chard and egg.
An Italian road trip
From Genoa, you?re perfectly placed to set off on an Italian adventure. Portofino is under one hour away on the E80 and is considered to be one of the most picturesque places in Italy. A favourite spot for the rich and famous, you?ll often find the harbour lined with incredible yachts.
Turin is less than 200km away on the E25 and E70, the centre of Piedmont. With remarkable baroque architecture, you could be mistaken for thinking this city lives firmly in the past. However, look closely at the fantastic mix of modern restaurants and compelling galleries and you?ll see that Turin is experiencing a new lease of life.
A ride to the Riviera
Here in the north-west of Italy, it?s also easy to pop across the border to France. Around a two-and-a-half-hour drive away from Genoa is the artistic city of Nice on the French Riviera. Take a walk along the Promenade des Anglais and enjoy the most incredible stretch of coastline before heading in to town to appreciate the art, fine French cuisine and air of gentility.
With car hire in Genoa, you can discover one of the Italy?s most exciting cities, and a region of Italy known for its food, art and passion for life.