Genoa Travel Forum

Hi. I recently accepted a job in Genoa and know nothing about the area! I'll be moving there in late August and would just like to know about things to do and what the city has to offer. I would appreciate any information you can give me! Thanks!

I really liked Genova but felt that the city center (old town area) was quite unsafe. I was warned by a lot of my Italian friends before I went. They all told me not to walk around that area at night. Genova is the only place I've ever seen prostitutes at work at 10.00 am on Sunday!

Scary city center aside, I really liked the city. Via XX Settembre has great shopping (under fantastic portici), there are lots of cool ethnic restaurants, and there was a fantastic smell of fresh bread everywhere (odd). There is a big university and lots of young people, plus you're close to the Cinque Terre and all the little resort towns along the coast (you can go to the San Remo Festival!).

I think you'll have a great time, just try to avoid any apartments on narrow streets in the old town.

Hey!

Well, the "old town area" is actually the largest and, to some extents, more fascinating medieval historical centre in Europe!
:-)

Genoa is a very active city... you may find prostitutes at every time in the "right" places... that's very true. :-)
Notice that Genoa is an harbour city, hence prostitution has always been one of its distinctive characteristics, at least in the area nearby the harbour itself.

As regards safety, yes, I agree that some parts of the historical centre are not recommendable at night (a few even during the day, some would say), but there are others that are instead very lively, also and especially at night, with many people who meet for a dinner, a drink or a chat. However, it doesn't take too much time to realise what parts are what, even though you will notice that, over the time, your "safety" perception is gonna change, as you get familiar with the city.
Narrow and dark alleys can be somewhat scary at first, but when you know them better, and you know where you are (and how you can get out), you'll very likely appreciate this unique characteristic.

Also, you don't have to live in the historical centre, you can very well find an accommodation elsewhere, which is also the most probable thing can happen to you, and then just visit the historical centre, go there for shopping (you can find plenty of small and characteristic shops which you'll never find in a mall), for a drink, for dinner...

Also, the climate is incredibly mild in Genoa, it has more to do with southern italy, without its hot excesses, than with northern italy. There are a couple of things that may disturb you at times, and they are the wind and the "macaja". Generally speaking, Genoa is a windy city, which can be annoying when it is too much like this, but it is also very welcome because you have a much more "breatheable" air, which is a very pleasant thing, both in the summer (hot weather is more affordable) and in the winter (pollution is more affordable too). Regarding "macaja", this is a phenomenon which sometimes occurs (not so frequently), due to a southern wind (scirocco): hot and humid weather which can really discourage you from your everyday jogging! :)

Another good quality of Genoa is its location: you are on a wonderful coast, and if you move east or west you will find wonderful places on the Riviere. You've the sea, beaches, pictoresque villages, hills, mountains all within a short distance. If you want to go outside the region, you can easily reach interesting places without driving for many hours, for instance Milan is something like 140 km away, Turin maybe 180 km, Florence is less than 3 hours away, Bologna is maybe three hours away; this just to mention a few places.

You'll also find that in Genoa there is not a lot of space, indeed, some visitors sometimes feel a bit oppressed. You're in between the mountains and the sea, and there is not a great amount of land after all! Genoa's surroundings are very "green" indeed, but you'll struggle with the lack of enjoyable green areas in the city, this is a fact. You're gonna get very good at parking a car too, you'll see! ;-) And you'll get very good also at uphill walking, if you're not already.

Well, I may well stop here.

Ah, one last thing. Most people in Genoa share a typical characteristic called "mugugno", which is the attitude of moaning and complaining about everything, their city in the first places. Hence, don't get scared if you'll hear many people of Genoa call it every name under the sun! Don't let this put you outy, ok. Relax and get in touch with the city and its surroundings, and then see if it is your piece of cake, ok? :-)

Should you have further questions, feel free to send me an email.

Cheers!
Raoul

good extensive response-
the one thing I would add is that August is the month for Italians to take thier vacations. This means that many smaller stores restaurants cloes up for the month, and that many Italians are visiting the top attractions along with the other travelers.
It may be milder in Genoa, but still be prepared for hot days in August!
ciao- enjoy
We are very happy we moved to this country

just realized you're from Texas.

So be prepared for cooler temps in Genoa!

I agree that some parts of the historical centre are not recommendable at night (a few even during the day), but in general the historical centre is SAFE!
like in all cities, you don't have to walk alone at 4a.m ... it's normal! it's a normal common sense like everywhere!!!
there are parts of the historical centre (Piazza delle Erbe and surroundings) that are very lively, toatally full of people at night, with many people going out for a dinner, a drink or chat outside the pubs...
genova is beautiful, full of history and hidden treasures...like historical buildings like palazzo spinola pellicceria, palazzo reale and so on...full of paintings (rubens, van dick....)
see the landscape from Spianata Castelletto taking the ancient elevator in Piazza Portello.... it's beautiful!
and visit Boccadasse, an old fishermen village INTO the city...it's at the end of the promenade (Corso Italia) on the sea...

if you need help write me email so i can tell you something more!