Genoa is an often overlooked Italian gem, a stunning city on the Italian Riviera that is rich in culture and history, has a lovely Old Town and an endless list of things to see and do. In this final post in this series, we have the final installment of our ten reasons why you really do need to make time to visit this incredible city. Just find a villa in Liguria and visit Genoa for yourself.
9. The Doge's Palace
Between 1339 and 1797 the then Republic of Genoa, a state of the Holy Roman Empire, was ruled by the Doges of Genoa, who resided in the Doge's Palace. A striking and elegant building, it is one of the architectural gems of the city. Altered many times over the years, it is now a public building that can be visited and you can also take organised tours of the building's historic tower and prisons.
9. The Doge's Palace
Between 1339 and 1797 the then Republic of Genoa, a state of the Holy Roman Empire, was ruled by the Doges of Genoa, who resided in the Doge's Palace. A striking and elegant building, it is one of the architectural gems of the city. Altered many times over the years, it is now a public building that can be visited and you can also take organised tours of the building's historic tower and prisons.
The palace also houses exhibitions and events; from free photography exhibitions to major art shows, to a Jazz Museum and even a “Poetry room”. With endless things to see and do under one roof, the Doge's Palace is an impressive architectural work, a cultural gem and a must for anyone visiting Genoa.
10. The Food (obviously!)
Finally, one of the biggest reasons to visit Genoa is the food. As a seaside city and a famous port town that has been one of the most important European ports for centuries, it is, of course, a perfect destination for seafood lovers. However, it is also home to a cuisine influenced and affected by many different cultures. There are many food markets located in typical nineteenth-century iron structures, such as the Mercato del Ferro, Mercato Dinegro, Mercato di Via Prè, Mercato di piazza Sarzano, Mercato del Carmine, Mercato della Foce and the Mercato Romagnosi, as well as local farmers markets and fish markets. Delicious food is all over the city, in the restaurants tucked into the higgledy-piggledy streets and by the harbour.
10. The Food (obviously!)
Finally, one of the biggest reasons to visit Genoa is the food. As a seaside city and a famous port town that has been one of the most important European ports for centuries, it is, of course, a perfect destination for seafood lovers. However, it is also home to a cuisine influenced and affected by many different cultures. There are many food markets located in typical nineteenth-century iron structures, such as the Mercato del Ferro, Mercato Dinegro, Mercato di Via Prè, Mercato di piazza Sarzano, Mercato del Carmine, Mercato della Foce and the Mercato Romagnosi, as well as local farmers markets and fish markets. Delicious food is all over the city, in the restaurants tucked into the higgledy-piggledy streets and by the harbour.
If part of the charm of Genoa is getting lost in its notoriously difficult to navigate city then another is stumbling upon wonderful places to eat – just remember that menus may be as hard to comprehend. However, even if you have no idea what you've ordered, you'll probably like it!
Unique, lovely, a little rough around the edges and with its own distinct character, there is a reason people fall direly in love with Genoa – these were but ten of them.
Unique, lovely, a little rough around the edges and with its own distinct character, there is a reason people fall direly in love with Genoa – these were but ten of them.