Visiting the Lanterna of Genoa - Lighthouse Guide

Rome has the Colosseum, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, and Genoa has the Lanterna. Standing 76 meters tall, this brick lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1128. It is the third oldest standing lighthouse in the world and the tallest in the Mediterranean.

It is not just a monument; it is the totem of the city, visible from almost everywhere.

How to Get There (Important!)

Reaching the Lanterna is an adventure in itself because it sits in the middle of the working port. The HOHO bus cannot drive up to the door.

1. Stop: Get off at the Cruise Terminal / Maritime Station.
2. The Walk: You must walk to the start of the "Passeggiata della Lanterna". This is a suspended pedestrian boardwalk (about 800 meters long) that goes over the highway and railway tracks.
3. Time: Allow about 20–30 minutes for the walk from the ferry terminal.

The Climb: 172 Steps

You can visit the fortification at the base and climb up to the first terrace.

• The Effort: It is a bit of a workout, but the staircase is inside the ancient brick walls.
• The Reward: The view is raw and powerful. You are not looking at a "pretty postcard" but at the industrial muscle of Genoa. You see towering cranes moving containers, giant ferries docking, and the city climbing vertically up the amphitheater of hills.

The Museum of the Lanterna

At the base of the tower, inside the fortifications, there is a fascinating multimedia museum.

• What you learn: The story of how the lighthouse used to be powered (olive oil, then gas, then electricity) and the history of Genoa's port.

Practical Tips

• Opening Hours: Check carefully! It is often closed on Mondays and sometimes weekdays in winter. Weekends are the safest bet.
• Tickets: You can buy them at the museum entrance at the end of the boardwalk.
• Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes for the walk and climb.