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Ah, Rome … with its narrow streets lined by centuries-old structures, ancient monoliths that have actually stood the test of time, and an enviable collection of churches so grand they seem to hover simply shy of the divine.
Few cities can compare, and it would undoubtedly be the best contender for a culture-infused summer trip– if not for the ridiculous crowds that turn the Eternal City into the ninth circle of Dantean hell.
They collect around the Trevi Water fountain from sunset to dawn, crowd the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and, more recently, even the once-laid-back Trastevere isn’t safe. We’re staunch Romanophiles ourselves, but we’re offering the Italian capital a pass this year up until their crowd problem is sorted. Rather, we’re heading north, to a culturally charged city that has yet to get its laurels, where mass tourism is still a secondary concern.
Oh, and did we mention it even has beaches?
Invite to Genoa: The Bustling Capital of Liguria
Italy’s sixth-largest city, with a population of over 563,000, Genoa is a lively city on the Ligurian Sea, understood traditionally for its maritime heritage, well-preserved medieval core– one of Europe’s biggest, at that– and rich gastronomy. That’s already quite the summary, but do not worry, we’ll delve into additional detail, beginning with the Centro Storico, which has far smaller crowds than Rome’s:
It is a complex labyrinth of narrow streets (locally referred to as caruggi in the Genovese dialect), dotted with small piazzas, surrounded by family-owned trattorias and boutique shops, and richly-decorated Baroque churches.
Extending from the Porto Antico location, or Old Port, in usage since the Middle Ages, all the method to the hills that surround the city, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Website, consisting of numerous of Genoa’s must-see landmarks: We’re talking the San Lorenzo Cathedral, with its striking black-and-white striped exterior– and for the history buffs out there, the treasury is stated to hold the Holy Grail.
Via Garibaldi, a pedestrianized street lined with stately Renaissance edifices, like Palazzo Rosso (Red Palace) and Palazzo Bianco (White Palace), that are home to paintings by Caravaggio, Rubens, and other famous painters.
Piazza San Matteo is a picture-perfect square flanked by medieval buildings that were once owned by Genoa’s once-powerful Doria household. There is even the Palazzo Ducale– yep, like the one in Venice– a 13th-century mansion where the Genovese doge used to reside.
Far Smaller Sized Crowds Than Rome
Contrary to Italy’s most popular tourism spots, however, you’re unlikely to come upon long waiting lines, or blocked paths walking Old Genoa:
On average, it receives around 2-3 million tourists annually, a majority of which are simply going through on their way to Portofino, Cinque Terre, and other Ligurian destinations.
On the other hand, Rome hosts a much greater 15 million, usually, Venice a whopping 20-25 million, including day trippers (no surprise they have actually presented a ticketing system), and Florence tracks behind with
approximately 10 million. Needless to state, Genoa feels considerably less crowded in contrast, despite being a major transit hub, and port of call for cruise liner in the Mediterranean.
That being stated, Genoa is a big city, and the Old Town is only the idea of the iceberg.
Magnificent Structures & Quaint Harbor Areas
As you leave the narrow alleys and make your way towards Piazza de Ferrari, you’ll be met with a huge square surrounded by classy Belle époque buildings, one of them being Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa’s historic opera home.
The square’s focal point, a modernist bronze water fountain with a marble base, is yet another Genoese icon, however if you’re looking to see a real marvel of engineering, head next to the Montegalleto Elevator:
Linking Via Balbi, near the university, to Castelletto, a hilly district best-known for its fairytale castle, it is a special hybrid elevator that initially takes a trip horizontally, like a train, through a tunnel for about 300 meters before finally going up a vertical 50.
There are many other heritage elevators spread around Genoa, connecting the lower city to the upper zones. The best part is, they are part of the public transport system, so your bus and city tickets are valid!
Away from the center, there’s Boccadasse, a picture into life in Liguria back when it was mostly comprised of fishing villages.
If you’re brief on time and you won’t be visiting Cinque Terre, then you ought to definitely come down to Boccadasse for dinner: it has the very same pastel-colored houses, a protected harbor with a pebbly beach, and a huge selection of standard restaurants.
Picturesque Pebbly Beaches
Speaking of beaches, Genoa is widely known for its swimming areas, usually backed by postcard-ready city views. Among the most-frequented, and easily-reached by bus from the city center, is Spiaggia di Vernazzola, just east of Boccadasse: it’s yet another relaxing pebbly stretch, except this one has a much more local, quieter feel.
Further east, Sturla is a wider beach with a mix of sandy spots and rocks, though if you prefer the benefit of close-by beach bars and gelato stores, head back west towards Priaruggia, in the domestic Quarto dei Millei community.
The good idea about Genoa is that it is a short train ride from several of Italy’s a lot of renowned coastal
settings, most notably Portofino, only 44 minutes away. Portofino is a little harbor town (in) famous for being a dressy and upscale destination with incredible dining establishment rates. Nevertheless, many people do not know that the seaside course between Portofino and the neighboring Santa Margherita is sprinkled with peaceful, swim-friendly coves.
Some are personal, supervised by boutique hotels, yet most are complimentary to go to. Simply make sure you arrive early to get an excellent spot on one of the tiny beaches, or else you’ll be sitting on the rocks.
Then there’s Sestri Levanti, a peaceful beach town featuring Liguria’s conventional warm-tone homes, 29 minutes by regional train, and Camogli, an even much shorter 19 minutes from downtown Genoa, popular for its crescent-shaped, dark-pebble beach and medieval castle.
How Cheap Is Genoa To Visit? If you’re on a stricter budget plan, you’ll be thankful to understand Genoa can be even more inexpensive than Rome and
- the like: For beginners, it’s less touristy, so costs tend to be moderate
- Genoa has a more ‘everyday life’ feel than the capital, which can feel sometimes like a traveler’s playground
- The cost of living is lower, from food products, to transfer, to cultural activities
Let’s take a look at the chart:
| Classification | Genoa | Rome (and comparable touristy cities) |
| Hotel (mid-range per night) | $70– 120 | $120– 200+ |
| Meals at mid-range dining establishments | $15– 25 | $25– 40+ |
| Public transport ticket | $1.50– 2 | $1.50– 2.50 |
| Traveler tourist attractions typically | $9– 11 | $16– 20 |
Overall, Genoa is 1.5 to 2 times less expensive than Rome.
Searching for other more affordable, less-busy, similarly interesting destinations in Italy to beat the crowds this summer season? Have a good time searching for those hidden gems here.
Vinicius Costa Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Course, has over 60 + nations under his belt (and presently weaving tales from Paris!), and a propensity for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into useful stories that will have you loading your bags.
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