5 Unbeatable Areas + Top Hotels

This glamorous city on the Italian Riviera is waiting to be discovered by you! So let’s start this guide on where to stay in Genoa! 

I visited Genoa a while ago and got to know the city pretty well! So rest assured as I included all my tips as well as the top neighborhoods and a list of hotels for all budgets in each of those areas.

In short, Old Town (Molo) is the best place to stay in Genoa, that’s where you’ll find the main attractions and some of the best hotels. But if that’s not your scene, you’ll find 6 more areas below.

Make sure you book your hotels in Genoa in advance, this is a super popular city and the capital of the Liguria region, and it gets pretty busy with tourists, so it’s better to secure your spot early. 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

If you’re in a hurry and only for a quick look, find below the best hotels in the Old Town: 

Check out the map below that will help you visualize all the areas in Genoa that I’ll talk about in this post:

1. Old Town – where to stay in Genova for the first time

A place where medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic architecture meet, Genoa’s Old Town, also known as Molo is one of the best places to stay in Genoa for first-time visitors! 

Rich in history and boasting beautiful narrow alleys and historical buildings, this area is one of the most picturesque districts in town. You shouldn’t miss the chance to explore it or even stay in one of its fabulous hotels!

As in any other historical center, Molo is filled with the main tourist attractions! 

Here, you’ll find Genoa Cathedral, the Doge’s Palace, plus some amazing museums like Christopher Columbus’ House and shopping spots like the gorgeous Galleria Giuseppe Mazzini (map).

This area is always bursting with energy and its little squares are packed with locals and tourists roaming around. Make sure you head to Piazza De Ferrari (map), one of the most important city squares, where you can admire its bronze fountain from the 1930s. 

While you’re out and about exploring Genoa, you’ll probably get super hungry, and luckily, the Old Town is absolutely packed with fabulous restaurants where you can indulge in the yummy Ligurian dishes! Settepolpette (map) is a great one. 

Other accommodation options in Old Town

Things to do in Old Town

• Admire the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
• Visit the beautiful Doge’s Palace
• Cool off at the fountain in Piazza De Ferrari
• Check out Christopher Columbus’ House
• See the Santa Maria di Castello Church (map)
• Explore the narrow streets in the Old Town

2. Piazza del Principe – best for travel connections

Planning to explore other nearby regions or cities while you’re in Genoa? Lots of people use Genoa as a base to visit nearby places, especially Cinque Terre. 

If you’re one of those people I would recommend finding a place to stay in Piazza del Principe.

This area is home to the town’s main railway station, which has the same name as the area, Piazza Principe Train Station (map). The station has frequent regional trains that connect Genoa to many towns in Italy and other European cities (usually you can take a high-speed train). 

And since we’re talking about transport, you should know that Genoa has plenty of ways that you can get around the city. You can use the bus, trams, funiculars (the city has lots of steep hills) and the metro which has only 1 line. 

I wouldn’t really recommend renting a car to explore the city since parking is pretty limited and the Old Town is closed to cars. You can use Ubers if you quickly want to get somewhere, but mostly I’d say stick to public transport. 

Piazza del Principe is also great for people traveling on a budget. There are lots of affordable restaurants and bars since the area is frequented by students since some university buildings are located here. 

In terms of attractions, there are a couple of spots that you should check out like Villa del Principe Art Museum and the Royal Palace Museum. 

Other accommodation options in Piazza del Principe

Things to do in Piazza del Principe

• Visit Villa del Principe – Palazzo di Andrea Doria
• Grab a drink at La Bitta Genova (map)
• Enjoy the sea views at Ponte dei Mille (map)
• Take the train from Piazza Principe Station to another Italian city

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3. Maddalena – where to stay in Genoa for culture lovers

Perfect for those who want to stay right near the Old Town, this area is absolutely packed with incredible cultural attractions

Maddalena is home to the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Via Garibaldi (map), also known as “new street”, filled with gorgeous palazzos owned by rich families who lived in Genoa. 

Most of them are museums that usually host exhibitions you can visit. You can either do this by yourself or on a guided tour with a local guide who will tell you all about how they came to be and what’s remarkable about each one. 

If you want to visit them by yourself, here are some of the main ones that I think look pretty incredible: Palazzo Podestà (map), Palazzo Doria Tursi, Palazzo Bianco (map) and Palazzo Grimaldi della Meridiana.

The attractions above are just the ones from the famous Via Garibaldi street, there are a couple of other places spread around the area that you should check out like Palazzo Spinola National Gallery and Museo del Risorgimento.

Honestly, the best way to explore Maddalena is to walk around the streets! 

That way, you can find all the hidden gems and admire each historic building! You’ll also find plenty of restaurants in this area, some bars, and lots of cool places to stay!

Other accommodation options in Maddalena

Things to do in Maddalena

• Admire the art in Palazzo Bianco
• Check out the architecture of Palazzo Grimaldi della Meridiana
• Learn the history of the palazzos on a guided tour
• Grab a drink at Cambi Café (map)
• Visita la Basilica di San Siro (map)

4. Porto Antico – best place to stay in Genoa for nightlife

Planning a fun city break to Genoa where you can eat yummy food, explore the narrow streets and even go clubbing?

Then Porto Antico is one of the best neighborhoods for you! Set right near the historic center, this area is packed with live music venues, museums, and fun attractions like the Genoa Aquarium, Maritime Museum and FantaCinema (map)!

Yep, it’s the perfect place to have a good time and enjoy Genoa’s party scene!

If you’re looking for some places to start the night then head to La Goletta (map) or Bar Ristorante La Bitta (map), where you can grab some drinks and get your groove on! 

PRO TIP: When I visited Genoa, I passed by the port area and it was pretty dirty. I’ve also read accounts from other tourists and are more recent and they also complained about the drug-smuggling, and just general atmosphere of the area. Although it is a beautiful place to explore, if you’re not comfortable with what I just mentioned, maybe just go there during the day for a quick walk and definitely base yourself in a different area, especially if you’re traveling with kids! 

This is also where lots of cruise ships dock, right at Ponte dei Mille (map) and Ponte Andrea Doria (map). If you are going on a cruise with a stop here, then you’ll be able to quickly reach the Old Town and the main attractions in the city. 

Other accommodation options in Porto Antico

Things to do in Porto Antico

5. Castelletto – where to stay in Genoa for families

Taking the whole family to Genoa? Then I’m guessing you’re not really looking to stay in the historic center, which can get pretty hectic at times!

Don’t worry though, I’ve found this other amazing area for you that’s so close to the city center, around a 10 min cab drive away and 30 min by public transport. 

The area’s tranquil atmosphere and calmness are why lots of families choose to stay here.

Castelletto is a big, residential area with lots of unique buildings and some cool attractions that you could visit, like Castello Bruzzo, Parco Avventura Righi which the kids will absolutely love and Santuario della Madonnetta (map) which you can reach by taking the funicolare. 

There aren’t so many big chain hotels here, mostly B&Bs that are super affordable, which I’m sure, as a family, you’ll appreciate. 

Other accommodation options in Castelletto

Things to do in Castelletto

• Take the kids to La Gelateria Di San Nicola (map)
• Admire the city views from this scenic spot (map)
• Catch a game at Luigi Ferraris Stadium (map)
• Spend a fun day at Parco Avventura Righi
• Eat yummy sweets at Panificio Corona (map)
• Check out the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno (map)

6. Nervi – best area to stay in Genoa for relaxation

Want to stay in a place that’s packed with top-tier Liguarian restaurants that’s a bit quieter than the rest of the areas in town?

Then check out Nervi, which is kind of a small town on its own! Nervi is located around a 30 min journey by public transport from Molo, so I’d recommend this area to people who’ve been to Genoa before, or to those of you who’d like just to relax this holiday. 

You’d think that since this area is not close enough to the main attractions, you’d find more affordable accommodations, but that’s not the case for Nervi. Since it’s such a quaint little “town” which looks pretty incredible, the hotel prices can be higher than you’d normally pay in Genoa.

More reason to book in advance!

Since it’s set on the coast, Nervi offers some spots where you can enjoy the sun and a swim in the Mediterranean Sea. Bagni Medusa (map) is a great spot, as is Spiaggia di Caprafico (map) and Spiaggia Murcarolo (map).

You’ll also find some cool attractions to check out here like Galleria D’Arte Moderna, Frugone Collection Museum and Museo Wolfsoniana where you can admire some amazing art!

Other accommodation options in Nervi

Things to do in Nervi

• Explore the fishing village
• Visit Castello di Nervi Museum (map)
• Take the train to Old Town Genoa
• Enjoy the sun at Bagni La Scogliera
• Admire the art at Galleria d’Arte Moderna

BONUS: Best boutique hotels in Genoa

There are so many fabulous hotels in the blog’s first section but if you’re looking for a place to stay in Genoa that’s a bit more special then definitely have a look at the options below! I’ve searched the web for some of the best boutique hotels in town and came up with 3 incredible accommodations!

I’ve already ordered them from most to least expensive, and the prices start from €200 to €400:

• Hotel Palazzo Durazzo Suites – enjoy the unique experience of staying in one of those former Italian palazzos in this amazing 5-star hotel! This is the best accommodation for culture lovers, and I love how they modernized the rooms and made the whole decor fit so well with the building! The accommodation comes with a spa center, and it offers breakfast!
• Hotel Bristol Palace – a gorgeous hotel that has a classic style, rooms decorated with antique furnishings, and a beautiful staircase! Start your morning with a yummy breakfast in your suite, then head out to explore the city center.
• Grand Hotel Savoia – set in the Porto Antico area, this accommodation comes with large windows overlooking the sea, modern rooms, and a restaruant where you can enjoy candle-lit dinners!

FAQs about hotels in Genoa

🤔 What’s the best area to stay in Genoa?

The Old Town is one of the best areas to stay in Genoa! This area is filled with incredible attractions and amazing hotels like Meliá Genova.

⛔ Where not to stay in Genoa?

You should avoid staying in areas like Cornigliano and Sampierdarena, which are not so suitable for tourists, as they have a higher crime rate than the rest of the city. 

🔝 Is Genoa city worth visiting?

Yes! Genoa is a gorgeous city in Northern Italy filled with so much history, amazing places to visit, beaches, and delicious food!

📅 How many days in Genoa is enough?

I would recommend spending at least 3 days in Genoa! That will give you plenty of time to explore around and visit all the attractions! 

🔝 What are the safest districts in Genoa?

The Old Town and Nervi are some of the safest areas in Genoa. 

⚖️ Is it better to stay in Portofino or Genoa?

It depends, the towns offer different experiences! Portofino has a small town charm, luxurious resorts, beaches and a quaint atmosphere, while Genoa has a port city vibe and is known for its rich culture and unique palazzos. 

🚶 Is Genoa a walkable city?

Yes, each neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly but since Genoa is a big town, you’ll need to use public transport to get around it.

🌌 Is it safe to walk in Genoa at night?

Yes, but definitely avoid hidden alleys and remote places where there aren’t a lot of people. 

Final thoughts on where to stay in Genoa

What a unique city!

I hope that this well-researched guide on where to stay in Genoa, Italy gave you some insight and helped you find your favorite area and hotel. 

As always, I recommend booking your hotels in advance! Especially for a place like Genoa that gets so many tourists!

I know it’s hard to pick just one accommodation from such a long list, so if you need a bit of inspiration, check out my 2 favorite top-rated hotels below: 

• Meliá Genova – this unique hotel is set near the main shopping street in town, and it comes with an indoor pool, an outdoor terrace with city views and a spa center.
• Affittacamere B&B – stay near the metro stations in this amazing hotel that offers rooms with wood-beamed ceilings and a shared kitchen.

There you have it!

Enjoy your holiday, everyone, and don’t forget that I’m always around if you’ve got any questions! You can leave me a comment below, and I’ll answer ASAP!

Safe travels, 

Yulia

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