Italy · TOURS IN GENOA
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 tours in Genoa worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend up to a full day at Genoa Aquarium, home to more than 5,000 animals in over 70 tanks. See penguins, sharks, seals, jellyfish, manatees, and bottlenose dolphins in Renzo Piano's Cetacean Pavilion. Your timed entry skips the ticket line, and optional add-ons include focaccia, a sandwich, street food, or Panera ice cream.
“We loved, there is a lot to see and there is one part with colorful frogs, is very nice!”
This is a scenic ferry service, not a guided tour. From Genoa’s Calata Mandraccio, you can visit Camogli, San Fruttuoso, and Portofino, choosing how long to spend at each stop within the sailing timetable. Expect clean boats, open-sea views, free time ashore, and a full day by the Ligurian coast.
“We had an awesome day visiting these 3 coastal stops. Camogli was our favorite. San Fruttuoso is really small- the tour could have done a better job directing us to the pier location there to leave for Portofino. There were signs, but for a different tour. Portofino was upscale, but did not have much time for much besides gelato. The ride was smooth and timely and our day was overall Perfecto!”
Ride Genoa’s red Historical Route and blue Coastline Route with a 24 or 48-hour ticket. Use the audio guide in eight languages, free Wi-Fi, and the Sightseeing Experience app to track buses and follow a walking tour. You can stop near the Aquarium, Piazza De Ferrari, Boccadasse, Via Garibaldi, and Spianata Castelletto.
“Good overview of Genoa the staff isn’t overly friendly but that’s not a big deal as we get on and off anyway.”
Travel by ferry from Genoa’s Porto Antico to Portofino and back, with coastal views, passing Camogli and San Fruttuoso Bay. You get roughly 70 to 80 minutes in Portofino for the harbor, San Giorgio church, boutiques, and gelato. This is independent sightseeing, not a guided tour.
“We had an amazing trip to and from Portofino. The boat was super. We were at the back and stood the whole way. It’s was magnificent! Our Captain pulled in at several towns to pick up and drop off people . We travelled just along the coastline and the views were stunning Portofino was beautiful but unfortunately there was a cruise ship in the harbour so the little town was packed with people, you could not move about easily. We just had 70 minutes there before returning to Genoa. We had some food and a drink which was exceptionally expensive because of where we were. We got back on the…”
Set out from Genoa’s Aquarium Pier with an Italian or English-speaking marine biologist. After a briefing on the Pelagos Sanctuary, spend 4.5 hours searching for fin whales, sperm whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans. Sightings are common but not guaranteed, and a free return within one year is offered if none appear.
“Wir haben viele größere Delfin Gruppen gesehen. Insgesamt ca 100 Stück. Auch verschiedene rassen. Sogar einen pottwal konnten wir kurz sehen. Leider war er grad am abtauchen und wir noch recht weit weg von ihm. Snacks und Getränke gibt's gegen Gebühr an Bord. Toilette vorhanden. Innen und außen Sitzplätze vorhanden. 4,5 Stunden sich allerdings recht lang”
Walk Genoa’s Caruggi with an English and Italian guide, passing San Matteo Square, San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Doge Palace, Opera House, and UNESCO-listed Via Garibaldi. Your $16 ticket also includes same-day entry to the Strada Nuova and Sant’Agostino museums for independent visits.
“We took the 3-hour guided tour in English and Italian and the guide was very knowledgeable about the places and history behind the buildings and alleys.”
Take a 5-hour return boat trip from Genoa’s Porto Antico to Portofino. You get about 1.5 hours on the water each way and two hours to explore independently. Expect transport rather than guided sightseeing, with views of Ligurian villages, cliffs, and open sea. Staff named by the operator include Anastazja, Lucia, Mario, Alfonso, and Captain Carmine.
“The boat tour was punctual both ways. It was a return boat tour from Genoa to Portofino, with 2 hours free time in Portofino. It was not a “tour” as there was no narrative on the boat trip. It was more like a transport boat. It was fine but it would have been real nice if some staff had pointed out the towns or places we passed by.”
Walk Genoa’s Via Garibaldi with a bilingual English and Italian guide, visiting Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Lomellino, Palazzo Tobia Pallavicino, and Palazzo Imperiale. Expect art, frescoes, grand staircases, and a surprise garden. Guides such as Ana, Marina, and Manuela have earned praise for clear, lively storytelling, though bilingual commentary can lengthen the tour.
“Great tour, only problem was it was bilingual, so took longer to explain everything twice in two languages. Otherwise a very informative walk by a professional guide and keeps things interesting.”
Spend about 3.5 hours walking Genoa’s old streets with a local English-speaking guide such as Valentina or Serena. Stop at cafes, take-away shops, and restaurants for pesto pasta, focaccia, cheese focaccia, fried seafood, wine, and dessert. Choose a traditional, street food, or gourmet route, with at least four tastings and a full-meal amount of food.
“This was one of the best excursions we’ve done. We had Valentina as our guide for the Street Food tour and it was top notch from start to finish. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and experience. All of the food options were delicious and unique to Genoa and we did not leave hungry haha would definitely tour with them again and try the different tour options.”
Spend one day exploring the Aquarium of Genoa and FantaCinema in the Porto Antico. See dolphins, penguins, sea cows, reef life, movie costumes, posters, statues, and the original Back to the Future time machine. You receive one combined admission ticket, but you must reserve your aquarium time slot after booking.
“layout was great for fitting so much in and plenty of space even when busy didn't feel over crowded a definte must visit if your visiting the port”
In central Genoa, Alberto, Alessandra, or Silvia guides a small group of up to six through handmade picagge pasta and traditional mortar-and-pestle pesto. You will cook in a historic palazzo apartment, enjoy Genoese antipasti, wine, dessert, and a rooftop view. Expect several flights of stairs and an English-language class lasting about three hours.
“It was absolutely wonderful! Be mindful of the many flights of stairs to reach the beautiful space with an outstanding host. Alberto made this class such a special experience - his knowledge, his warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the the detailed cooking experience was far more than we expected.”
At Genoa’s City of Children and Young Museum, you can move through five interactive rooms at your own pace. Test your sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch with colorful displays, mirrors, optical illusions, sound experiments, and playful props. The museum sits on the ground floor of the Aquarium of Genoa and takes about 1.5 hours.
“Abbiamo visitato la Città dei Bambini e dei Ragazzi il 6 gennaio, con due bambini di 7 e 8 anni. Nel complesso è stata un’esperienza piacevole e ci siamo divertiti insieme ai bimbi. Le aree sensoriali sono carine e ben pensate, stimolanti e adatte a coinvolgere i bambini. Abbiamo partecipato anche a un laboratorio sull’udito, molto carino e interattivo, che ha permesso ai bambini di apprendere concetti nuovi divertendosi. Ho apprezzato il fatto che venisse annunciata regolarmente la partenza dei laboratori, segno di una buona organizzazione. Molto bella anche la zona costruzioni, forse però un po’ “off” per l’età dei miei figli: l’ho trovata più adatta a bambini leggermente più…”
Ride a personal Segway through Genova’s Porto Antico, Caruggi, noble streets, squares, churches, and medieval lanes. Your Italian, English, or French-speaking guide provides instruction and practice before the tour, then shares local history, culture, traditions, and food stories. Choose a one-hour overview or a longer 2.5-hour route.
“Our guide, Giuseppe, did an excellent job teaching us how to use the Segways and shared so much excellent information about the city. its history, and its culture. We definitely would recommend this activity.”
See Genoa from an open-top double-decker bus on historical and coastal routes linking the cruise terminal, Aquarium, Via Garibaldi, Boccadasse, the lighthouse, and more. Your 24 or 48-hour mobile ticket includes recorded commentary, Wi-Fi, and a free walking-tour app. Buses leave stops about hourly, though service can be crowded.
“Had been to Genoa before but did not take this bus. This time the entire city was opened up to me. I say parts of Genoa that were so beautiful and different.”
Visit Genoa Aquarium’s 70 exhibits, with dolphins, sharks, manatees, penguins, and sea life from around the world. Then explore Christopher Columbus’ childhood home near the medieval walls. You go independently, with a timed slot for Casa di Colombo and a separate aquarium reservation required.
“Tutto molto interessante, l'Acquario è stupendo..unica pecca l'orario perché non sono flessibili, avevamo casa di Cristoforo colombo alle ore 9, ma siamo arrivati un po' dopo per via dei mezzi di trasporto, ma non ci sono stati problemi lí, per l'acquario invece ogni prenotazione ha un suo orario preciso, ci hanno fatto la gentilezza di segnare errore nella prenotazione per farci entrare lo stesso anche se ad un orario diverso, per fortuna. ma c'era il rischio che saltasse il tutto.”
Pick a ruin, a gallery, a kitchen or a coastline.
