Genoa (Genova), Italy

Genoa, Italy
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Genova-Castello_d%27Albertis-panorama.jpg
Author: Twice25


Genoa is a port city in northern Italy. It has a population of around 900,000 within a metropolitan area with a population of 1.4 million. The city is the capital of the Province of Genoa and the region of Liguria.

As with most major cities in Europe, Genoa traces its history back to ancient times. The area was a Celtic settlement between 2,500 to 2,000 BC. The city cemetery of Genoa dates to the 6th century BC. Different peoples including the Greeks, Etruscans, Phoenicians all had their bases in Genoa. It was later occupied by the Romans, followed by the Ostrogoths and the Lombards.

Genoa street view
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Genova_vicoli.jpg
Author: Massimo Giuliani


By the 12th century, Genoa has emerged as an independent city-state, with the Bishop of Genoa being president of the city and the Holy Roman Emperor being the nominal overload. A period of prosperity in the 13th century was followed by a virtual collapse brought along by the Black Death that decimated the population.

One of the most popular sons of Genoa was Christopher Columbus. He donated one tenth of his income for the discovery of the New World to the Bank of Saint George.

The proximity of Genoa to France made it a target of French aggression several times through its history. In 1797, it was pressured by Napoleon to become a French protectorate.

Genoa suffered Allied bombardment during the Second World War. One of the bombs dropped by the British fleet fell into the cathedral of San Lorenzo without exploding, and is today exhibited to the public within the church grounds.

Genoa is famous for its art, music, food, architecture and history. It was made the 2004 EU Capital of Culture. The city is also home to the Bank of Saint George, one of the oldest banks in the world. Today Genoa is the headquarters of a number of major Italian companies.

Church of San Giuseppe al Lagaccio in Genoa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chiesa_Lagaccio_Genova_interno.jpg
Author: DanPaolo

Travel to Genoa

By Plane
Genoa's Cristoforo Colombo Airport is served by daily scheduled flights from several major cities in Europe. Upon arriving, budget travellers can take the airport shuttle bus, called Volabus, to downtown Genoa.

By Train
You can also reach Genoa from Milan, Turin, Rome, Pisa and Florence by train. Most of the distance trains arrive at the Principe railway station while the Brignole railway station get trains on local routes. A subway train links Principe station to downtown Genoa.

Travel within Genoa

The historic centre of Genoa, the largest Middle Age town in Europe, can be covered on foot. Outside the old city, you will need to take the train or bus.

Photos of Genoa

Royal Palace, Genoa
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:0447_-_Genova_-_Palazzo_Reale_-_Foto_Giovanni_Dall%27Orto,_23-Sett-2007.jpg
Author: Giovanni Dall'Orto

Places of Interest in Genoa

In the vicinity of Genoa

Interesting Note

An alleyway in Genoa called Via Pre was the inspiration for the Italian restaurant Via Pre in Penang, Malaysia.

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About this website

Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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