Genoa is one of the northern (or rather, northwestern) cities in Italy. It is located on the shores of the bay, overlooking the Apennines. The city has a seaport, airport and subway. There are sights protected by UNESCO. The history of the city began long before the onset of a new era (there was a settlement founded by the Ligurs). In this story there was a dizzying rise, and a period of decline … The city is the birthplace of the famous Columbus.
The climate here is subtropical, the humidity is high enough. Winter is usually cool, while summer is warm, even hot. There are about three hundred sunny days a year.
Sea, sun, rich history, sights … The city is simply created for tourism! Travelers come here from all over the world. The city is also popular among our compatriots. Perhaps, after reading this text, and you decide to visit here. And then your first question will be: where is the best place to stay in Genoa? In this article we will tell you about the districts of the city, as well as about its hotels, guest houses and apartments.
City districts
According to numerous reviews of tourists, the city is simply magnificent: there are no bad areas in it, each is good in its own way, so you can stay in any of them. But more often than not, travelers prefer to live in two districts, the names of which are slightly similar - these are the districts of the Old Town and the Old Port. Moreover, they smoothly flow into one another; some even think that it is wrong to consider them separately. It is in these areas that the main city attractions are concentrated, and there are also most of all various entertainments. Here you can see medieval buildings, luxurious palaces, unusual fountains …
The rest of the city is called New Genoa. Here you will also see unusual buildings, but by no means old: they were built by modern architects. This area is considered prestigious, although many travelers, as mentioned above, prefer to settle in the older part of the city - closer to the sights.
Here we take a look at the Old Town and Old Port, dividing them into several smaller areas. Here are the names that can be roughly given to these small urban areas:
- piazza Caricamento;
- piazza Ferrari;
- street 20 September;
- piazza della Vittoria;
- Central station.
Piazza Caricamento
This place is actually located in the port. It is here that you can see one of the oldest palaces in the region. According to the reviews of tourists, it is from this area that you should begin your acquaintance with the city.
The old port is a sight in itself. In addition, there is a huge selection of restaurants and cafes. There is an aquarium in this area, which is the largest in Europe. Another local attraction is the museum, the expositions of which are dedicated to the sea. There are also cinemas here.
Just a few minutes walk and you will find yourself near the famous Doge's Palace. This is one of the city's main attractions, a striking monument of Gothic architecture, built in the XIV or XV century. Not less famous Cathedral is located not far from it.
Where to stay: Art B and B, La Dimora di Palazzo Serra, Le Nuvole Residenza d'Epoca.
Piazza Ferrari
Once settled in this area, you will live a stone's throw from the main city square. All major events of the city take place here. Concerts are held on the square on holidays. This place is considered one of the busiest in the city, so those who love peace and quiet should stay away from this square. If you like the life around you to be in full swing, if you like to be in the center of events, then this place is literally created for you.
There are several main city attractions at once. If you are interested in history and architecture, then, without a doubt, appreciate this area at its true worth: here you will live surrounded by many historical and architectural monuments. In particular, there are ancient gates, which were once the main entrance to the city. Famous landmarks in the area include the home where the illustrious Columbus once lived.
And if you get tired of wandering between ancient buildings and admiring the masterpieces of architecture, if you want to listen to the lapping of the waves and see how the sky merges with the sea in the distance, you can easily do it: the Old Port is just a stone's throw away. To get to it, you do not need to use any public transport. Go to the port on foot, in a couple of minutes you will be at your destination.
Speaking about the peculiarities of this area, it must also be added that it is the most expensive in the city. However, the difference between prices in it and in other urban areas is quite small. Accommodation here will cost you a little more than in hotels or apartments in other areas, but you will live a stone's throw from the world famous monuments of history and architecture. Some travelers believe that this particular place is the best in the city (both for walking and for living).
The area is perfect for travelers with children. There will be an aquarium and a game room near your hotel.
By the way, the area is famous not only for its many attractions: there are also various boutiques and shops. If you are a shopper, you will love the area!
Where to stay: La Torre, Best Western City Hotel, Salita San Matteo.
Street 20 September
If we mentioned above that there are boutiques and shops near Ferrari Square, then the area that will be discussed in this section literally consists of them. If you love shopping, look for a hotel in this area.
By the way, here you can combine two types of pleasure at once: while walking around the shops, shopping, you can admire the ancient buildings at the same time. The fact is that retail outlets here are located in houses that are historical landmarks. Many of these buildings have unusual architectural features. Marble floors, arches, original designed facades - all this is in abundance here. Even if you are indifferent to shopping, we advise you to just walk along the long street with numerous shops. Go through it from end to end: you will get vivid impressions and take many interesting photographs.
It should be noted that the street is not pedestrianized. The flow of transport during the day practically does not dry out here, as well as the flow of tourists. If you like silence, if you are annoyed by the constant noise of cars, it is better to settle somewhere else, and come here for shopping and sightseeing. However, the noise level here is not at all catastrophic: many travelers choose this area to live and remain very satisfied.
Where to stay: Domus Patrizia, Hotel Genova Liberty, Olympia Hotel.
Piazza della Vittoria
If you decide to continue your journey through the vastness of Italy in a train carriage, if Genoa has become one of the stops along the way, then this area is literally created for you. It is located near the train station. On trains departing from it, you can even reach the French border.
One of the advantages of the area is the public transport stop located here. That is, leaving your hotel room, you can get on the bus and go sightseeing located at a considerable distance from the Old Town and the Old Port. One of the buses takes you to the city's beaches. However, it must be emphasized that the city is not a famous beach resort. The local beaches leave much to be desired in terms of cleanliness, the bottom of the sea is rocky in places (you even have to go into the water in special shoes). Still, the city is famous primarily for its historical and architectural sights, and not for beach holidays.
But back to the area of Plaza della Vittoria. There are not so many attractions here. One of the centers of attraction for guests of the city is the local congress center, where conferences and exhibitions are held. By the way, there is one of the few city parking lots near this center.
Where to stay: Hotel Barone, Vittoria Rooms, Starhotels President.
Central station
Accommodation in this area is ideal for avid travelers who do not like to stay in one place for a long time. The plan of action can be, for example, this: arrive in the city, walk to the hotel in which the room is booked, leave the suitcase there - and again to the train station to see other Italian cities. However, we still advise you not to neglect the Genoese sights: we can guarantee that you will not regret the time spent walking around the city.
Where do the trains leave the station and what kind of trains are they? Trains from here travel south and north. These are long-distance trains. By the way, the station is located relatively close to the port. Although the area is not rich in attractions, it is easy to get from it to other areas of the city, which have something to see. By the way, no matter which hotel in the area you choose, it will be close to the city lighthouse. If you decide to see him up close, do not call a taxi or look for a public transport stop. Go on foot: in about fifteen minutes you will be at your destination.
Where to stay: B&B Delfino Blue, Hotel Chopin, Hotel Continental Genova.
