How to Spend Four Days in Genoa, Italy!

After returning to the UK from two years of travelling around Asia, Australia and New Zealand, we were desperate to get away on holiday again. With the budget a little tighter after such an amazing trip, we scoured Skyscanner for the cheapest summer flights. That’s when we landed on Genoa in Italy and what a hidden gem it turned out to be. This place completely blew us away.

When you think of Italy, you usually think of Rome, Milan, Naples or Venice, right? Genoa had never really been on my radar, but it turned out to be such a beautiful part of Italy. On the opposite side of the French Riviera, it’s known as the Italian Riviera - home to countless seaside towns just waiting to be explored. It also happens to be the birthplace of pesto and focaccia, so eating your fair share is non-negotiable. After so much time outside of Europe, I’d almost forgotten just how gorgeous it can be. For a budget-friendly summer getaway, Genoa is an absolute winner.

Four-Day Itinerary for Genoa, Italy

In this blog, I’ll share our perfect four-day itinerary for Genoa, along with some handy travel tips.

Day One: Exploring the City Highlights

Like most first days in a new place, I’d recommend simply wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere. Genoa is classic Italy, narrow streets, faded-yet-beautiful old buildings, and plenty of hidden gems you’ll stumble across just by getting lost.

If you prefer a bit more structure, here are the highlights worth checking out on day one: 

• Cathedral di San Lorenzo – a magnificent cathedral with striking grey-and-black stripes. The interior is just as stunning.

• Christopher Columbus’ House – a quick stop, unless you want to pay to go inside, but still cool to see.

• Piazza De Ferrari – Genoa’s central square with a spectacular fountain and grand architecture all around.

• Via XX Settembre – essentially an outdoor shopping mall with beautiful marble tiling. Even if you’re not buying, it’s worth a wander.

• MOG Mercato Orientale – my favourite stop. I love visiting markets abroad, and this one was full of fresh fruit, cheese, cured meats, and, of course, pesto and focaccia.

The real joy of Genoa is in the meandering: pausing at cafés for coffee or ducking into bakeries for slices of warm focaccia.

End your day at Porto Antico, where the impressive marina is dotted with statues and boats of all sizes. Sunset here is magical. Grab a drink at one of the bars, watch the light change, and enjoy the atmosphere, there’s often live music or street performances too.

Day Two: A Boat Trip to Portofino

For your second day, I’d highly recommend a boat trip to Portofino. There are a few ways to get there, but whichever you choose, expect it to be busy. We booked the boat trip through Get Your Guide, which included stops at Camogli and San Fruttuoso as well as Portofino. For us, this was perfect: fewer crowds thanks to the capped boat size, lots of time outdoors, and three destinations in one.

The trip ran from 9am until about 6pm - a full day, but so worth it. You can choose how long to spend in each spot, which made it really flexible.

Here’s how we split our time:

• Camogli – just an hour here to grab some amazing focaccia from a local bakery.

• San Fruttuoso – a few blissful hours sunbathing and swimming in the sea.

• Portofino – time to wander up to the castle, eat gelato, and admire the fancy yachts.

It was the perfect balance of relaxation and sightseeing.

Day Three: Santa Margherita

Many people head to Santa Margherita just to catch the bus to Portofino but honestly, skip the cramped bus and spend the whole day here instead. We did, and it ended up being one of our favourite days.

It’s super easy to get there: a direct train from Genoa takes about an hour. Tickets cost just €2.20 each way if you use the AMT Travel app (look out for QR codes at the airport).

Once there, wander the town, admire the marina, and stop for a bite to eat. Then set off on the coastal walk, an absolutely beautiful trail hugging the coast. Halfway along there’s even a little café for an iced coffee break.

Keep going to Paraggi, a lagoon-style bay with rocky platforms perfect for diving. The water is crystal clear, calm, and ideal for swimming or snorkelling. We regretted not bringing swimwear - learn from our mistake! The walk only takes around 40 minutes at an easy pace, so when you head back to Santa Margherita, you’ve certainly earned a gelato.

Day Four: Boccadasse & Nervi

For your final day, hop on a short bus ride to Boccadasse. If you’ve seen Disney’s Luca, you might recognise it. The seaside village was the inspiration for the film. Think warm pastel houses clustered around a pebble beach. It’s the perfect place to swim, sunbathe, and just soak up the atmosphere.

For lunch, head to Barracuda for their famous mixed fried fish or anchovy sandwich. We loved it so much, we went twice! Fresh seafood by the sea really can’t be beaten.

In the afternoon, catch a 10-minute train to Nervi and start the Anita Garibaldi coastal walk. It only takes about 30 minutes each way, but with its dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, and mountain views, it’s a must-do.

If that feels like too much travel for one day, you could always stay in Genoa and tick off any sights you missed earlier in the trip.

Other Attractions in Genoa

If you’ve got extra time, here are a few more spots worth checking out:

• Aquarium of Genoa – the biggest in Europe. Great for kids or rainy days.

• Funicular to Righi – closed during our visit, but usually offers sweeping city views.

• Lift to Spianata di Castelletto – another panoramic viewpoint.

• Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Reale & Palazzi dei Rolli – stunning palaces full of history, art, and architecture.

• Galata Museo del Mare – a maritime museum where you can board a full-size ship replica.

Conclusion

And that wraps up our four-day Genoa itinerary! Honestly, this city surprised us in the best way - beautiful, affordable, and lots of good food. It proves you don’t always need to follow the crowds; sometimes the lesser-known spots are just as magical.

One last tip: pack stretchy trousers. Between the pasta, focaccia, pesto and gelato, you’ll be eating non-stop (and loving every minute). If you’re a fellow foodie, stay tuned, my next blog will share all the best food recommendations in Genoa.