Genova Travel Guide: What Locals Actually Do (And Skip)

The first time I walked through the caruggi — those impossibly narrow medieval lanes that cut through Genova's old town — I got completely lost. No map, no signal, just the smell of fresh focaccia drifting out of a door I couldn't even see.

I didn't panic. I ordered a coffee from a counter the size of a hallway, and a man with flour on his hands told me which way to go. That moment — that small, unremarkable moment — is what Genova actually is.

What Most Tourists Do in Genova — And Why It's Not Enough

Most people arrive at Porto Antico Genova, walk along the waterfront, visit the aquarium, and call it a day. But the standard tourist route misses the entire soul of the city — the Mercato Orientale, the church of Santa Maria di Castello, the funicular up to Righi.

What Locals in Genova Actually Do

The morning starts with a passeggiata through the caruggi. Focaccia from a proper panificio — not a café. Espresso standing at the bar. A walk through the Mercato Orientale. Up to Castelletto via the ascensore for a view that no tour package includes. Evenings belong to aperitivo around Piazza delle Erbe.

Where to Stay: No Vacancy Genova

If you want to experience Genova like a local — wake up with a coffee on a terrace, walk the caruggi without a hotel corridor outside your door — No Vacancy Genova is a small collection of seaside apartments designed for exactly this kind of travel. Book directly at novacancygenova.com for the best rate.