4-Day Genoa Palazzi, Harbour & Pesto City Break

UNESCO palazzi, a revitalised old harbour and the home of pesto.

Day-by-day plan

Day 1: Arrive and the old harbour

Stay in the historic centre near Via Garibaldi.

Morning: Volabus from the airport to Porto Antico.

Afternoon: Harbour stroll and the Bigo panoramic lift.

Evening: Pesto dinner in the caruggi.

Day 2: Palazzi and piazzas

Stay in the historic centre near Via Garibaldi.

Morning: Via Garibaldi and the Palazzi dei Rolli.

Afternoon: Piazza De Ferrari and the cathedral.

Evening: Aperitivo in Piazza delle Erbe.

Day 3: Sea air and villages

Stay in the historic centre near Via Garibaldi.

Morning: Boccadasse and the Corso Italia promenade.

Afternoon: Castelletto viewpoint by funicular.

Evening: Seafood dinner near the harbour.

Day 4: Focaccia farewell

Head to the airport for the flight home.

Morning: Mercato Orientale food hall.

Afternoon: Final espresso in the old town.

Evening: Bus to the airport.

Budget

  • Flights — Return fare anchor: lastminute.com's London-Genoa route page lists return flights from £46 per person (one-way from £32) (lastminute.com/flights/r_london--genoa, checked 5 Nov 2026); 'from' fares are lead-in prices including taxes and do not guarantee availability on specific dates. — 46 GBP
  • Accommodation — 3 nights sole occupancy in a historic-centre guesthouse, budgetyourtrip-style mid-budget estimate. — 165 GBP
  • Food & local transport — Around £40 per day covering focaccia breakfasts, trattoria lunches, dinners and bus/metro fares. — 120 GBP
  • Activities — Palazzi dei Rolli entry and the Aquarium are the main paid sights. — 35 GBP

Tips

  • Via Garibaldi & Palazzi dei Rolli: UNESCO-listed street of opulent Renaissance palaces.
  • Porto Antico & Aquarium: Renzo Piano's waterfront revival with one of Europe's largest aquariums.
  • Boccadasse: Pastel fishing village tucked into the city shoreline.
  • Pesto & focaccia: The birthplace of pesto genovese and exemplary focaccia.