1 Hotel Bristol Palace
Genova - Via XX Settembre 35
The Bristol Palace features an impressive elliptical staircase, leading to its elegant rooms.
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Wedged between the sea and mountains, Genoa is a city with a distinctive layout—longer than it is wide—but straightforward to navigate; the main attractions are all concentrated in the historic centre and the adjacent Porto Antico area.
For this reason, choosing where to stay in Genoa is easier than in other cities: you can reach practically anywhere on foot or by bus. However, there are recommended neighbourhoods that stand out for their number of accommodations, location, transport links, facilities or charm.
Most tourists look for a hotel in the centre, but that’s not necessarily the best choice. Our mini-guide to the best areas to stay in Genoa will help you work out which suits your type of holiday, and perhaps even help you quickly find the hotel or B&B that’s right for you among the properties we recommend in each area.
Genoa’s centre roughly corresponds to the Molo and maddalena neighbourhoods: the former is characterised by narrow medieval alleyways, the latter is the baroque quarter. The centre is the most characteristic area and certainly the most enchanting, where the finest palaces, oldest churches and most interesting museums are concentrated, as well as focaccia shops and traditional inns that you’ll love with the same passion as the famous attractions.
Staying in Genoa’s centre means having all the main tourist attractions within reach and being able to explore the typical caruggi on foot. The main railway station is located in the western part of the centre, so it’s extremely convenient for those travelling by public transport.
Conversely, it’s strongly discouraged for those travelling by car: traffic, confusing road layouts and a shortage of car parks (free spaces are virtually non-existent, paid parking is very expensive, and hotels with private parking are rare) could spoil your holiday.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some of the historic centre’s caruggi are the hub of the city’s nightlife: they’re perfect if you love staying out late drinking and chatting, but avoid them if you prefer an early night without disturbance.
Accommodation in Genoa’s centre consists of hotels and B&Bs housed in historic buildings, sometimes tastefully restored, sometimes left rather neglected: prices vary accordingly.
Although it’s a separate area, the Porto Antico is considered by many guides and websites as part of the centre; in fact, the distance is minimal and choosing a hotel in the port area gives you roughly the same advantages and disadvantages as the centre.
Once a run-down area, the restoration of old warehouses, the construction of a modern pedestrian zone, the opening of important tourist attractions and numerous bars and clubs have transformed it into one of the city’s most modern and vibrant areas. You can therefore book accommodation here without any concerns.
The Porto Antico is particularly recommended for those interested in maritime attractions—such as the Aquarium and the Galata Maritime Museum—and for those making a brief stop before boarding a cruise ship or ferry. It’s not suitable, however, if you want to combine cultural visits with beach relaxation, as there are no beaches in this area.
The variety of accommodation at Porto Antico is excellent, with options ranging from budget family-run hotels to modern properties with views.
The Castelletto neighbourhood extends across the hills overlooking Genoa’s centre and is often overlooked by tourists, with the sole exception of the famous Spianata, whose viewpoint offers splendid views of the city and sea. It’s not quite the centre, but it’s close enough to get around on foot.
The advantage is that it’s a much quieter, less noisy area, with tree-lined squares and streets perfect for pleasant stops.
Accommodation in the Castelletto area mostly consists of budget rooms that are simple but functional. There’s a good selection of restaurants, bars, ice-cream parlours and pizzerias, so you won’t need to head into the centre for a snack or dinner.
A former fishing village to the east of Genoa, now part of the city, Boccadasse is as close as you’ll get to the Cinque Terre without leaving the Ligurian capital. The iconic image of this neighbourhood is a handful of colourful multi-storey houses clustered around a characteristic little harbour.
Staying in Boccadasse is somewhat unconventional, but there are plenty of advantages. Accommodation in the area consists of charming hotels with sea views or B&Bs and apartments housed in typical little houses. The centre is easily reached by bus or on foot along Corso Italia, a wide avenue lined with shops.
The neighbourhood is very picturesque and lets you discover an authentic Genoa, ignored by mass tourism, plus it’s full of aperitivo bars beloved by locals and excellent seafood restaurants; nearby you’ll also find some beautiful beaches. The downside? It’s a fairly expensive area.
Unlike Boccadasse, the working-class neighbourhood of Marassi isn’t a charming area but can be a good solution for those seeking budget accommodation and travelling by car.
Prices are lower than the centre, you can reach the motorway quickly (Genoa East exit) and parking isn’t a nightmare. The area is also home to Genova Brignole station, so it’s worth considering even if you’re travelling by train.
The only attraction in the area is the Luigi Ferraris football stadium, but it’s just a ten-minute walk to the centre.
If you can’t find a hotel, B&B or flat to your liking in the areas we’ve recommended above, try searching the neighbourhoods of Sturla, Quarto and Quinto.
These are residential neighbourhoods overlooking the sea, generally quite peaceful and therefore particularly suitable for families; you’ll need to take a bus to reach the centre. A historical curiosity: the historic Spedizione dei Mille led by Giuseppe Garibaldi departed from Quarto.
Another former fishing village now incorporated into Genoa’s eastern outskirts, just a few kilometres from the centre, is Nervi.
It’s an area rich in green spaces, equipped with a charming tourist harbour and a seafront promenade with splendid views of the Golfo del Paradiso. It can be an excellent choice if you want to visit Genoa and make day trips to Camogli and Portofino.
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