Once the maritime powerhouse of the Mediterranean, Genoa is still a great port today. Unfortunately great ports aren’t known for their great beauty as well, though Genoa certainly has its appeal. But what this somewhat tarnished assumption means is that the best places to stay in Genoa are also some of the most reasonably priced accommodation you'll find on the Italian Riviera. Our Gurus’ picks include affordable guesthouses, charming B&Bs, elegantly worn grande dames and some beautifully converted townhouses and palazzos.

Location means a lot when it comes to Genoa, and our recommendations here are all close to the ancient maze of narrow streets of the historic heart of town. This part of Genoa is ageing with style, and its vibrant atmosphere has encouraged just the right sort of regeneration — the sort that adds to rather than bulldozes! Central Genoa is a great place to eat and drink (this is the capital of pesto), with innumerable cafes, bars and restaurants, an excellent collection of galleries and boutiques, and now Europe’s largest aquarium. Also worth a look are the Christopher Columbus Museum, a great celebration of the local-boy-done-good, and the Maritime Museum. Plus there are several of those impressive, striped Ligurian churches, including a cathedral.

Genoa isn’t known for its beaches, but it does have several very nice ones. Our Gurus recommend the old seaman’s neighbourhood of Boccadasse for beaches, but there are some closer to the centre of town as well. 

As a vibrant port city, you'll find plenty of crowds here throughout the seasons. However if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Genoa during the peak summer months, you'll need to get organised and book ahead to avoid disappointment.

The Best Places to Say in Genoa

For a City Break

• The San Giorgio Rooms is a collection of six guest rooms, in a wonderfully historic townhouse in central Genoa. Each of the rooms has been individually decorated, with numerous antiques, and plenty of Rococo flair. Expect gilt, original artwork, damask drapes, and black and white tiled floors. Breakfast is served in the ornate dining room, and while there’s no restaurant, guest are surrounded by excellent dining options. Great value, and memorable for all the right reasons.

For Families

• The Locanda Di Palazzo Cicala is a 20 room hotel, behind a wonderfully grand, 18th century facade, complete with great pillars, green shutters, and ornate plasterwork. Inside, the ornate 18th century details have been softened, but the rooms still have wonderfully high ceilings, beautiful floors, double height windows and French doors, and ornamental coving. The bathrooms are large in all the rooms, and the family suites have full kitchens and living areas. Plus, the location is excellent: walking distance from many of Genoa’s highlights.
• The Hotel Le Nuvole has been caringly converted from a beautiful Renaissance style townhouse, and now offers 15 elegant rooms, in which the original murals, frescoes and ornate plasterwork have been retained, and stylish contemporary tiles and other details added. The suites and family-sized rooms have mezzanine levels. There’s no restaurant, but there is a charming breakfast room, and you’re close to numerous excellent places to eat and drink, as well as the beach.

Best B&Bs

• Quarto Piano is a stylish, three room B&B in the heart of Genoa, elegantly decorated with Italian design pieces and a minimalist taste. We like it because of the scale, location, welcoming communal spaces, and the roof terrace with a hot tub.
• The Porto Antico B&B is another of our favourite central B&Bs, also offering three guest rooms and chic, minimalist decor, this time with a monochromatic palette, and a seriously pared back aesthetic. The setting, within an historic building, seems to oppose the white minimalism, but it definitely works. Perfect for anyone wanting to be in the thick of things, but wanting a peaceful haven to return to.

For a private apartment or villa

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Genoa has its own airport, Genoa Airport, which is served by quite a long list of major airlines. It’s about seven kilometres outside of the centre of town, which is about ten minutes by car, or 21 minutes on the train.
• If you plan to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• Because Genoa is a city break kind of destination, you can visit any time of year, though as with the rest of Liguria, it’s busiest during the summer months, especially July and August. June is slightly cooler and slightly quieter, and hosts the focaccia festival. September, October and November are also good times to visit, when there’s still plenty of sunshine but the room rates are more reasonable, and while it’s humid, the showers are sporadic. Winter is mild, but wet, but Christmas in Italy is always a special experience, and Genoa lights up beautifully for the festive season. Spring in Liguria can be wet too, but the cultural calendar hots up so spring is definitely worth considering.

Still not sure?

• You could expand your search to include all our Guru’s recommendations for the best places to stay in Liguria
• Consider some of the region’s other charming centres. Try our recommendations for the best places to stay in Portofino, Sestri Levante, the best places to stay in Rapallo or the other towns of the Cinque Terre region
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.