Genoa is Italy’s big working port with an old town of medieval lanes right beside the docks and one of Europe’s best aquariums at the water’s edge. It is a city day, not a Riviera day, unless you pay for the coastal detour. See the Genoa place page and the Western Med route.
Getting ashore
Ships dock at Ponte dei Mille or the Stazione Marittima, a 10-15 minute walk from the old town edge. The metro and funiculars connect uphill neighborhoods; taxis are cheap for the short hops.
What to do in 6-10 hours
Anchor on the old town and harbor: the Acquario di Genova (about €29), the caruggi lanes, San Lorenzo Cathedral and Via Garibaldi’s palaces. Add a funicular to Castelletto or Spianata for the view. Portofino and the Cinque Terre are long day trips that only work on tours.
Walking level
The old town is dense, sloped and cobbled; the harbor front and aquarium area are flatter. Funiculars remove the big climbs. Limited mobility works on the waterfront loop; the caruggi are tight and uneven.
Excursion or independent
Independent for the city, aquarium and funicular. Use a ship tour only for Portofino or Cinque Terre, where transport chains are long and the clock is unforgiving. The full trade-off is in ship excursion or independent.
What it costs
Aquarium about €29; funicular €1.50-2; cathedral free; lunch €20-35. City day €50-110 per person.
The five-minute version
- Walk from the dock into the old town.
- The aquarium is the headline ticket.
- Funiculars solve the hills.
- Portofino needs a tour.
- City day, not Riviera day, alone.
- The port authority posts terminal maps (portsofgenoa.com); the old port and aquarium quarter are walkable from the cruise quays.