Genoa in 6 hours

A port day covering Genoa's essentials: the old port, the historic centre and panoramic viewpoints, with time to spare for all-aboard.

ExploraGo Team

Published on October 1, 2026

Duration: 6 hours
Budget: mid-range
Best for: couple
Style: cultural
Season: Apr–Oct

Stops

1
transport
Genoa cruise terminal (Ponte dei Mille)
25 min · — · On arrival
Ponte dei Mille sits right by the Old Port; the historic centre is a short walk away.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes: the old town has uneven cobbles
Take care
Leave a buffer to get back before all-aboard
2
activity
Old Port and Acquario di Genova
80 min · Aquarium ~€29; waterfront free · Aquarium 9:00–20:00 (summer)4.5
Renzo Piano's redeveloped harbour holds the aquarium, the Biosphere and waterfront bars.
Best time: Morning
Tips
Buy aquarium tickets online to skip the queue
3
activity
San Lorenzo Cathedral and the historic centre
65 min · Cathedral free; museum ~€5 · 8:00–12:00 and 15:00–19:00
The 'caruggi' lanes around the cathedral form a medieval maze.
Tips
Visit the treasury museum to see the Sacro Catino
4
activity
Via Garibaldi and the Palazzi dei Rolli
60 min · Palazzo Rosso ~€9 · Palaces 9:00–19:00 (Tue–Sun)
A UNESCO-listed street of Renaissance marble palaces.
Tips
Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Bianco share a combined ticket
5
nature
Spianata Castelletto viewpoint
55 min · Lift ~€1 · Lift 7:00–22:00
An elevated terrace with the best panorama over the port and Genoa's rooftops.
Best time: Sunset
Tips
Take the public Castelletto lift to avoid the climb
On foot · 25 min
6
transport
Return to the cruise terminal
35 min · — · Before all-aboard
Walk back or take the metro (San Giorgio station) to Ponte dei Mille.
Take care
All-aboard is usually 60–90 min before departure; don't cut it fine