1Civic square
Piazza De Ferrari
Begin around the fountain and compare the surrounding public buildings. The square provides an open introduction before the lanes and palace interiors of the old town.
3-day itinerary · Italy
3 Days in Genoa
Three Genoa days through the old-town lanes, selected palace collections and the maritime waterfront. The aquarium and Galata receive a full harbour day.
- 3days
- 12sights
- 1.9 kmon foot between sights
Updated 11 September 2026 · 4 official sources checked · report an error
The plan at a glance
Old Genoa, palace art and the maritime waterfront
Use three full days, choosing one Doge’s Palace exhibition and a manageable selection of palace galleries. Check the Royal Palace and Strada Nuova calendars together before setting the palace day. Hotel, station and first-stop journeys are additional; hilltop connections need time for waiting and the final walk.
Day 1The civic centre and medieval lanesPiazza De Ferrari · Doge’s Palace · Genoa Cathedral · Porta Soprana and the medieval lanes4 sights · 560 m on foot
Day 2Palace collections and the view from CastellettoVia Garibaldi · Palazzo Rosso · Palazzo Bianco · Royal Palace of Genoa · Spianata Castelletto5 sights · 680 m on foot
Day 3Aquarium, old harbour and GalataAquarium of Genoa · Porto Antico · Galata Maritime Museum3 sights · 610 m on foot
Day 1
The civic centre and medieval lanes
Begin in Piazza De Ferrari and visit the public spaces or a selected exhibition in the Doge’s Palace. After lunch, visit San Lorenzo Cathedral and walk through the lanes to Porta Soprana. The shorter day leaves room for an unhurried introduction to the old town.
- 4 sights
- 560 m on foot
- Longest walk 340 m
Morning
Right next door
2Palace and cultural centre
Doge’s Palace
Explore the visitor-accessible palace spaces and choose one exhibition if its subject and ticket suit you. The building’s cultural programme changes, so select the visit before arriving.
Midday
LunchChoose lunch around the central lanes, with time to sit down before the cathedral.
Afternoon
150 m · about 2 min on foot
3Cathedral
Genoa Cathedral
Visit San Lorenzo’s striped façade and public interior during sightseeing access. A treasury or other ticketed extension needs its own admission and should replace part of this hour.
340 m · about 5 min on foot
4City gate and walking route
Porta Soprana and the medieval lanes
Walk through the old gate area and a short stretch of the surrounding lanes. View nearby historic structures from outside without adding another full museum visit.
Evening
DinnerStay in the old town for dinner. A long food tour or extra museum can use the spare time only after checking its schedule.
Day 2
Palace collections and the view from Castelletto
Walk Via Garibaldi and visit Palazzo Rosso, then pause for lunch. Select rooms in Palazzo Bianco before walking to the Royal Palace. Finish at Castelletto viewpoint. If the Royal Palace has an earlier visitor window on your date, visit it first and reverse the palace sequence; the terrace can remain last.
- 5 sights
- 680 m on foot
- Longest walk 580 m
Morning
1Palace-lined street
Via Garibaldi
Walk the length of the main palace frontage and look into public courtyards where entry is allowed. The two selected palace museums have separate stops and are not counted in this street walk.
Right next door
2Palace art museum
Palazzo Rosso
Select a manageable route through the palace rooms and art collection. Give the interiors time, then pause for lunch before continuing with Palazzo Bianco.
Midday
LunchTake a seated lunch between the two Strada Nuova collections.
Afternoon
Right next door
3Art collection
Palazzo Bianco
Visit selected rooms in the collection as the second part of the Strada Nuova museum day. Palazzo Tursi is an optional substitution within this allowance, not another full visit afterwards.
580 m · about 9 min on foot
4Historic palace
Royal Palace of Genoa
Follow a selected route through the visitor rooms and palace setting on Via Balbi. Keep the visit focused after the Strada Nuova collections and confirm the afternoon access window before setting out.
Allow about 35 minutes from the Royal Palace to Castelletto terrace using a suitable public lift connection and the approach, or the uphill walking route.
5City viewpoint
Spianata Castelletto
Reach the terrace for the view over the roofs toward the port. Use the public lift or the hillside paths as appropriate; the transfer allowance covers reaching the terrace from the final palace.
Evening
DinnerAllow about 25 minutes to return from the viewpoint toward the centre, then take dinner.
Day 3
Aquarium, old harbour and Galata
Book a morning aquarium entry and allow three hours for its route. After lunch, walk a selected stretch of Porto Antico before spending the afternoon in Galata Maritime Museum. Check Galata’s last admission and leave the other harbour attractions as alternatives.
- 3 sights
- 610 m on foot
- Longest walk 430 m
Morning
1Aquarium
Aquarium of Genoa
Give the aquarium a full morning and follow its visitor route without rushing the larger displays. The allowance covers the aquarium alone, leaving other harbour attractions outside the base ticket and schedule.
Midday
LunchTake lunch after the aquarium; the afternoon museum needs a proper break between visits.
Afternoon
180 m · about 3 min on foot
2Harbourfront walk
Porto Antico
Walk a selected public stretch of the old harbour after the aquarium. Pause around the waterfront and Bigo exterior before continuing toward the maritime museum.
430 m · about 7 min on foot
3Maritime museum
Galata Maritime Museum
Spend the afternoon with the museum’s maritime and migration displays. This allowance is for a focused museum visit; the submarine is a separate access decision with its own conditions.
Evening
DinnerFinish near the waterfront or return to the old town, allowing your evening journey separately.
Before you go
Good to know in Genoa
Keep palace access distinct
- The Strada Nuova museums include Palazzo Rosso, Bianco and Tursi. Opening can differ by palace and season; confirm both selected collections on the same day rather than assuming one timetable covers all.Source: Musei di Genova — Strada Nuova · checked Sep 2026
- The Royal Palace has its own opening days, admission and room access. Check its official visitor page and move it earlier in the palace day if necessary.Source: Musei Nazionali di Genova — Royal Palace · checked Sep 2026
Book the harbour day
- A fixed-date aquarium ticket requires the chosen date and time. Combined products cover extra attractions that are not included in this itinerary’s three-hour aquarium allowance.Source: Aquarium of Genoa — tickets · checked Sep 2026
- Galata and the submarine have distinct visit arrangements. Check the museum’s official practical information and leave enough time before closing for the selected route.Source: Galata Maritime Museum · checked Sep 2026
Questions
3 days in Genoa: quick answers
Is every Rolli palace open to visitors?
No. The street walk uses public space; only selected museums and permitted courtyards are assumed open.
Does the Strada Nuova ticket mean I can fit every collection into the day?
No. This plan selects Rosso and Bianco, with Tursi as a substitution within the same allowance. Ticket coverage does not add time.
Does the aquarium visit include Biosfera and Bigo?
No. Those are separate attractions, even when a combined ticket is available. Add them only by reducing another visit.
Is the submarine included in the Galata stop?
The base time is for the museum. Check submarine access, ticket coverage and suitability separately; shorten the museum route if adding it.
Can I add Portofino or Cinque Terre?
Use a separate excursion day. Transport and coastal visits would replace a Genoa day, not fit after the harbour museums.
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