Genoa

A not-to-be-missed stop for anyone visiting Genoa is the Old Port, which not only bears witness to Genoa's gracious past as a maritime republic, but is also home to a large number of tourist hotspots, clubs, and stores. It is here that one of the city's most famous places and a family paradise is located: the Aquarium ofGenoa, the largest aquarium in Europe. Inside, it houses 400 species of animals including fish, cetaceans and other marine mammals, reptiles and amphibians, living in environments that reproduce their natural habitat.

But it doesn't end there! The so-called "Aquarium Village" includes other interesting spaces:

• the Children and Youth City, a two-thousand-square-meter experience museum reserved for visitors aged 2 to 12;
• the Biosphere, a huge glass and steel bubble designed by architect Renzo Piano, which inside reproduces the environment of a tropical forest and houses many animals, for example, butterflies and parrots;
• the Bigo panoramic elevator, also designed by Renzo Piano, which offers a stunning view of the city and the sea.

Don't miss a visit to the nearby vessel Neptune, built for a pirate movie in the 1980s and now allowing young and old to dream of sailing the seven seas with their own crew!

Also not far away is the largest and most innovative maritime museum in the Mediterranean, the Galata Museo del Mare, which tells the story of the link between Genoa and the sea and the history of migration. In the Storm Room, you can also experience firsthand, thanks to 4D technology, what it's like to be on a lifeboat at the mercy of the stormy sea. The museum also offers the chance to board a replica of a Genoese galley and the submarine Nazario Sauro.

Overlooking the docks of the Old Port, on the other hand, is the Palazzo di San Giorgio, headquarters of the Western Ligurian Sea Port System Authority. It can be visited only on a few occasions, but it's worth seeing even just from the outside!

Another of the symbols of the city is the"Lanterna," the tallest lighthouse in the Mediterranean (77 meters) and the oldest in Europe, located on a rock overlooking the harbor (did you know it is the largest in Italy?) From the top of the Lantern there is an unparalleled view of the city. In the surrounding area you can visit a small museum dedicated to maritime lighthouses and the urban evolution of Genoa.

The historic center, just a short walk from the Old Port, is a fascinating maze of narrow alleys called"carruggi" (if you are a Fabrizio de André fan, you will be thrilled to encounter Via del Campo, one of Genoa's main carruggi, where there is also a small museum dedicated to the Genoese singer-songwriter).

As you explore the center, it is worth visiting the old stores and some of the city's most beautiful churches, including:

• the Cathedral of San Lorenzo (the cathedral)
• the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata del Vastato
• the Church of Santa Maria di Castello
• the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta di Carignano
• the very special Church of San Pietro in Banchi

Not far from the cathedral is the Palazzo Ducale, which now hosts art exhibitions, events and conferences. A few steps lead to Piazza De Ferrari, the city's most famous square, with a large fountain in the center.

Speaking of aristocratic palaces, did you know that Genoa really has a lot of them? In addition to that of the Prince and that of San Giorgio we find the Royal Palace, built by the Balbi family and later bought by the Savoy family, and the so-called Palazzi dei Rolli - 42 noble palaces in all -, which are located in the Strade Nuove, such as Via Garibaldi and Via Balbi, and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some of them are open to the public all year round, while others are private and can be visited only partially.

For history buffs, we recommend a visit to the house of Christopher Columbus, Genoa's illustrious son, located next to the last remaining medieval gate in the city, Porta Soprana, or Villa Durazzo Pallavicini, which houses the Museum of Ligurian Archaeology. The highlight of the historic villa, however, are its splendid 19th-century gardens.

Other must-see parks and historic gardens in Genoa are those of Villetta di Negro, Villa Imperiale Cattaneo, and Villa Duchessa di Galliera.

The municipality of Genoa is full of beautiful villas with gardens. The most beautiful is undoubtedly Villa Durazzo Pallavicini, in the town of Pegli, which houses the Museum of Ligurian Archaeology. The highlight of the historic villa, however, are its splendid 19th-century gardens.

Not far from Galata Museo del Mare is the Palazzo del Principe, a splendid historic villa commissioned by Andrea Doria, a very important personality in the history of the Republic of Genoa. It is worth visiting the palace not only for the beauty of the interior, but also for the splendid gardens that look directly over the harbor and the sea.

Other parks and historic gardens not to be missed are those of Villetta di Negro, Villa Imperiale Cattaneo, and Villa Duchessa di Galliera.

From Nervi one can also set off on short hikes, for example the one to the small lakes of Nervi or the one that leads to Monte Giugo and, stretching a bit, to other peaks, such as Monte Moro and Monte Fasce. Other challenging hikes start from the nearby district of Sant'Ilario and which take place, for the most part, on the famous "creuze," brick-paved roads or stairways that climb from the coast to the Genoese hills.

Other perfect destinations for hikers and mountain bikers are Genoa's forts, which, dating from different eras, bear witness to the history of a city that for many centuries was considered an impregnable fortress thanks to what is the longest city wall in Italy and the second longest in the world. Around the forts - the most famous are probably Forte Sperone, Forte Diamante, Forte Geremia and Forte Richelieu - the Parco delle Mura has been created, a protected area that serves as a "green lung" within walking distance of the city. The interesting hiking trail (ring AQ2), on the other hand, leads to the discovery of theancient aqueduct built (and expanded in different phases) to supply the city with water. Although quite long, the route is always flat, so it is suitable for everyone. The Trail Muskat (Gazzo Tour), one of the most beautiful and enjoyable trails in the area awaits mountain bikers.