The Insider

Beyond your tourist guide
- Genoa may not be the first city that comes to mind when visiting Italy, but it is architecturally grand and naturally beautiful; a major port in Europe, it is Christopher Columbus’ home town. Being part of the Liguria coast, Genoa and the surrounding towns are crested on hills overlooking the Ligure Sea, part of the Mediterranean. To experience its beauty, take out your walking shoes and visit the neighboring towns by taking the vaporetto, a bus on the water. Each town has its own character and they’re all worth visiting, but a must see is Santa Margherita and Portofino. When in Portofino, make sure you have lunch and eat the famous Pesto Genovese or if you’re not a pasta fan (isn’t everybody, though), any fish dish will be wonderful. Come back at sunset and just be out there in the water when the sun meets the sea. And also go to the town of Nervi, it has a famous walk that runs for a few miles along the coast. Especially on weekends, people enjoy strolling with their families and friends.
- For museum lovers, go to Via Garibaldi, it is the avenue of museums, then visit the historic city center, and see Villa Spinola. You may want to visit Teatro Carlo Felice, the theater located near Piazza De Ferrari and while you’re there see the Palazzo Ducale.

Getting around
- Driving in Genoa is a challenge; it’s not for the faint at heart. Parking on hills and tight spaces and navigating narrow streets overrun by motorcycles and scooters--use public transportation when you can.
- The city has many buses, you can buy your tickets at any Tabaccaio, newspaper stand/store that has a large "T" on the store front. Buses connect each town and run fairly frequently, also you can ride from one bus to another using your same ticket for up to 90 minutes.
- Taxis can be expensive, but they are an alternative for short rides.

Shops you´ll love
- Via XX Settembre is the place to shop. It is store after store of everything: linens, clothes, home goods, art, whatever you need and want is there, but beware, prices can be high.
- For bargain shopping, Genoa offers great street markets. Nearly every day you can find a street market in some area of the city. Mondays and Thursdays you can find it in Piazza Palermo. And it’s okay to negotiate the price.
- For a more unique and world ethnic shopping experience, go to Via Gramsci for quaint and affordable shops.

Pubs and Subs
- The port of Genoa is a must see. Newly restored after the G8 summit, they have stores, museums and really wonderful restaurants. Check out "I Tre Merli", you’ll enjoy almost anything on the menu, my favorite, the ravioli with funghi di bosco, or really anything else they serve will be a treat.
- For truly authentic fare, go to ristorante "Rina", typically Genevese food located across from the fish market. And to eat well and inexpensively, try "Da Marcello", located in a suburb called Marassi, near the stadium.
- If you’re adventurous and want to eat focaccia like you’ve never eaten it before (everything else you’ve had is just a copy), go to a town called Recco, and a restaurant call "Manuelina" where you’ll eat the true focaccia with cheese or fish.

Outside the box
- To experience the ultimate panoramic view, go to Spianata Castelletto and see Genoa before you in all its glory—don’t worry you won’t have to walk it, there are elevators and transportation available.
- Although this may sound macabre, perhaps one of the more famous "museums" is the cemetery of "Staglieno". It is uncommonly interesting where many famous people are buried, such as Giuseppe Mazzini. The tombstones are beautiful works of art with sometimes haunting themes. Read up on it, there are many stories connected to the history of this place.