- Must visit
Palazzo Rosso
Major art museum in a historic palace with works by Van Dyck, Rubens and Italian masters, plus notable decorative interiors.
The sixth largest city in Italy, Genoa, is a beautiful port city in the Italian Riviera. Sheltered by the mountains and bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, Genoa enjoys a mild climate all year round. Historically and culturally very rich, Genoa boasts a wide range of monuments, cathedrals and palaces. Most tourist attractions are located in Piazza Ferrari, Genoa's main square, and in Via Garibaldi, famous for its baroque buildings. However, the "Duomo", Genoa's stunning Cathedral, lies hidden in the old town - an enchanting maze of narrow cobbled streets. A visit to Bocadasse, a picturesque fishing neighbourhood of old pastel-coloured houses, will introduce you to romantic Genoa, while a boat ride will unveil the magnificent view of Genoa's famous port from the sea. The birthplace of Christopher Columbus is also famous for its excellent cuisine, luxurious boutiques, elegant seaside resorts and extraordinary offer of outdoor activities.
Whether travellers want to explore one of Italy's most atmospheric cities, or head to Cinque Terre and the Ligurian Coast, flights to Genoa are always an excellent option. There are plenty of direct connections from UK airports, and with a journey time of two hours, it doesn't take long to reach Genoa by plane.
The only airport in Genoa is Cristoforo Colombo Airport (often shortened to just Genoa Airport). From there, passengers can hop onto VOLABUS shuttles to the heart of the city, which take 30 to 40 minutes. These buses stop at Principe Station as well, allowing visitors to make easy onward connections to north-west Italian destinations.
British Airways offers year-round services to Genoa from London Gatwick and seasonal services from Glasgow. easyJet also provides low-cost fares on a seasonal basis from Bristol, London Luton and Manchester. Ryanair flies from London Stansted, completing a wide choice of possible routes to Genoa.
There are plenty of excellent reasons to choose flights instead of trains or buses to Genoa. Firstly, there's the issue of journey times. Flights will take around two hours 20 minutes, whether passengers fly from Manchester or London. That compares with a minimum journey time of 12 hours by train (and usually far longer). Prices aren't excessive, either, thanks to a variety of budget fares, so flying to Genoa doesn't have to be much more expensive than taking the b us. Genoa Airport isn't far from the city, making transfers simple. And it's also conveniently located for those who intend to stay near the coast, being close to resorts like Savona and Arenzano.
Anyone who intends to spend a few days in Genoa itself will benefit from purchasing a Genoa Pass. This useful ticket entitles the holder to free public transport for 24 hour periods and covers subways, buses, funicular railways and suburban trains. When that's sorted out, there's a lot to do. The palaces of Via Garibaldi are a remarkable sight, as is the stunning Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Families will love the ultra-modern Aquarium, while the Palazzo Spanola's National Gallery is heaven for art fans. And, if time allows, try to get out to see Cinque Terre: a string of beautiful coastal towns that's very close to Genoa.
Considered the oldest city in Europe, Genoa is the perfect place to experience "quintessential" Italy. Easily reachable by plane from the United Kingdom, Genoa is ideal for cultural and romantic getaways. Almost every airport in the United Kingdom offers direct flights to Genoa, which is served by all international airlines. Ryanair, easyJet and Flybe operate non-stop flights to Genoa from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, while British Airways, Alitalia, Air France, KLM, Germanwings and Aer Lingus have stopovers in major European cities. Genoa Airport (GOA) is just 7.2 km (4.5 miles) from the city. There are shuttle bus services provided by the airport and a taxi rank just outside the terminal building. Passengers can ask for detailed information on buses and taxi fares at the tourist information stand located in the arrivals hall. There are also several car hire companies for those who prefer to rent a car.
Discover the best of Genoa — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Genoa trip today.
Major art museum in a historic palace with works by Van Dyck, Rubens and Italian masters, plus notable decorative interiors.
Sea-focused museum inside the old port area, covering navigation, migration and maritime life with interactive and family-friendly displays.
Refined palace museum displaying paintings, furnishings and frescoed rooms. Ideal for understanding Genoese aristocratic life and art.
Grand central square with fountain, theatres and banks. A practical starting point for exploring the historic centre and main avenues.
Historic street lined with palaces, courtyards and museums. One of Genoa’s most rewarding walks for architecture and city history.
Lively old harbour redeveloped for promenades, museums and sea views. Good for walking, boat trips and an easy family outing.
Chickpea flour pancake baked in a wood oven. A staple Genoese street food, prized for its crisp edges and simple maritime roots.
Twisted pasta with basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and Ligurian cheese. Genoa is the historic home of this classic pesto sauce.
Thin layers of dough filled with chard, prescinsêua cheese, eggs and herbs. A festive Ligurian pie strongly linked with Genoese tradition.
Stylish long-running restaurant serving creative Ligurian and Italian cooking in an intimate city-centre dining room.
Historic confectionery and café known for chocolate, pastries and elegant old-world interiors in the city centre.
Traditional bakery-focacceria popular for classic Genoese focaccia and farinata in a casual local setting.
Moderate for Italy: dining and hotels cost less than in Rome or Milan, while local transport and coffee are fairly affordable for visitors.
Service is often included or covered by coperto. Round up in cafés and taxis, or leave 5-10% in restaurants for notably good service.
Official public transport app
Genoa Airport -> Genova Piazza Principe
Check where to Genoa flights depart and arrive, plus the main airport details for this route.
Genoa Airport is 5 km from Genoa city centre. Public transport options include:
Genoa Airport has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge and Lost and Found Office.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located in the arrivals and departures areas.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Genoa Airport: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Genoa Airport: Elevators, ramps, assistance.
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