Top 10 Genoa Hop-On Hop-Off Stops - Best Places to Visit

The City Sightseeing bus loops through 2,500 years of history. With over a dozen stops, it can be hard to choose where to spend your time. We’ve ranked the Top 10 Stops that justify the ticket price alone.

1. Piazza Caricamento (Aquarium & Old Port)

• The Hub: This is Stop #1 and the center of modern tourism.
• Must-Do: Visit the Acquario di Genova (Europe's largest). Ride the Bigo panoramic lift for a 360° view of the harbor.
• Time Needed: 2-3 hours.
• Food Tip: Walk under the ancient arcades of Sottoripa to find "Friggitoria Carega" for the best fried squid in a paper cone.

2. Via Garibaldi (Strada Nuova)

• The Wow Factor: Known as the "King of Streets". It is a UNESCO World Heritage site lined entirely with 16th-century palaces (Palazzi dei Rolli).
• Must-Do: Enter the Strada Nuova Museums (Palazzo Rosso, Bianco, and Tursi). The rooftop of Palazzo Rosso offers the best "selfie" view over the slate roofs.
• Time Needed: 1.5 hours.

3. Piazza De Ferrari

• The Heart: The main square with the massive bronze fountain. It connects the medieval alleyways with the 19th-century city.
• Must-Do: Photograph the splashy fountain with the Art Nouveau Stock Exchange building in the background. Walk down Via San Lorenzo to reach the Cathedral.
• Time Needed: 45 minutes (for photos and a coffee).

4. Boccadasse

• The Postcard: A tiny, pastel-colored fishing village that time forgot, nestled at the end of the city promenade.
• Must-Do: Buy a gelato at Antica Gelateria Amedeo, sit on the pebble beach, and watch the sunset.
• Note: The bus stops on the main road (Corso Italia); you must walk down a short lane to reach the sea level.
• Time Needed: 1 hour.

5. Spianata Castelletto (via Portello Stop)

• The View: While the bus stops at the bottom (Piazza Portello), you take the Liberty-style elevator up to this "Balcony over Genoa".
• Must-Do: Eat a granita (Sicilian slushy) at Don Paolo while looking at the infinite view of the port and lanterns.
• Time Needed: 40 minutes.

6. Piazza della Vittoria

• The Monument: Dominated by the colossal Triumphal Arch (Arco della Vittoria), dedicated to the fallen of WWI.
• Must-Do: Walk up the "Staircase of the Unknown Soldier" for a grand perspective of the square. It’s also close to the Oriental Art Museum (Chiossone).
• Time Needed: 30 minutes.

7. Via XX Settembre (Shopping)

• The Stroll: The grand avenue of Genoa. Look down at the mosaic floors and up at the massive giant sculptures holding up the buildings.
• Must-Do: Shop at the Mercato Orientale (MOG) – a historic food market turned into a gourmet food court.
• Time Needed: 1 hour (if eating).

8. Corvetto / Villetta Di Negro

• The Oasis: An elegant square that leads to the Villetta Di Negro park.
• Must-Do: A peaceful walk in the park which features waterfalls, grottoes, and exotic plants. A great break from the city noise.
• Time Needed: 45 minutes.

9. Carignano Basilica

• The Renaissance: The bus climbs this hill where the massive Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta dominates the skyline.
• Must-Do: Admire the sculptures inside (Pierre Puget) and the sheer scale of the dome.
• Time Needed: 30 minutes.

10. Stazione Marittima (The Start)

• The History: If you love history, visit the Galata Museo del Mare nearby or the MEI (Migration Museum).
• Must-Do: See the "Commenda di Prè", a medieval complex where crusaders stayed before sailing to the Holy Land.
• Time Needed: 1.5 hours.

A short walk from Stop #3 leads you to the stunning San Lorenzo Cathedral.