Lonely Planet Travel Guide reveals 'Treasured Secret' for 2025
Genoa, on the Northwest coast, is described as one of Italy's best 'hidden gems' with a beautiful coastline and an old medieval town centre, boasting wonderful restaurants and bars, and 'hidden within its depths, tourists will discover a labyrinth of 'caruggi' (alleyways) packed with historic monuments'.
Genoa is a port city but is much less hectic with far fewer tourists than the likes of Venice and Rome. Old town of Genoa. Genoa, Liguria, Italy,
The Lonely Planet goes on to say 'With a new high-speed-train connection in the works, now is the time to seek out this stately city with superlative culinary shops, a stunning seaside and a well-earned reputation as one of Italy's most historically and culturally vibrant cities.'
Cathedral San Lorenzo which was built in 1098, is said to hold the ashes of Genoa's patron saint, St John the Baptist.
The city's laneways and streets are also packed with independent shops, some of which date as far back as the 1600s. In fact, Italy's oldest sweet shop, 'Romanengo', has stood in the city since 1780 and some of their colourful candies are still made by hand in the shop. Skyline of Genoa, Italy, on a sunny spring day.
If it's the seaside you crave, you don't have to go too far, because 'Boccadasse' is easily accessed by local bus, and is said to be one of Genoa's prettiest places, with a gorgeous pebble beach and the best 'gelato' for miles around.
When it comes to eating, Genoa is the home of 'Pesto' a very flavourful sauce traditionally served on pasta or local breads and the city's indoor food court, the Mercato Orientale is said to be 'THE PLACE' to go to sample local foods.
If you enjoy the warm weather, then July and August will suit you fine in Genoa. Temperatures can reach as high as 28 to 30 degrees, but unlike southern cities like Naples, the city doesn't usually suffer from severe heat waves in the peak summer months.
If you'd like to travel around a bit, there are good rail connections into France, and you can get to Nice in around three hours, while the leaning tower of Pisa and the fashion capital of Italy, Milan, are less than two hours away by rail.
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