The main sights of the old part of the city are: San Giorgio Palace; San Lorenzo Cathedral; Doge’s Palace; Gate of medieval Genoa-Porta Soprana; Christopher Columbus’ house; Central Piazza De Ferrari. Next, the car takes you to the most beautiful and romantic districts of Genoa – Boccadasse and Nervi.
Boccadasse is a former fishing village, one of the oldest and most colourful Genoese districts. Here the waves crash against the rocks, brightly coloured houses with green shutters grow right out of the coastal rocks, and fishing boats still dry on the shore. The bell tower of St Anthony’s Church, built in the 18th century, rises above the roofs of the houses. Inside, the modest sand-coloured building is decorated with marble sculptures, ship models and a coloured marble floor. Behind the temple is a small square with magnificent views of the sea. Two castles built at the beginning of the 20th century, Casaret (Rocca Tirrena) and Türke, are the neighbourhood’s calling card. Next to the former is another viewing platform, the latter stands on top of the Santa Chiara promontory and resembles a medieval fortress.
Charming Nervi is an amazing synthesis of nature and art, man-made and natural beauty: fresh wind and rocky coves, palm alleys and olive groves, old villas and lush southern gardens. The main local attraction is the Anita Garibaldi promenade. It is a two kilometre promenade leading from the railway station to the harbour. A narrow cobbled pathway is laid over the cliffs along the sea, with winding stairs leading down to the water’s edge and pebble beaches. From the seafront you can go up to the luxurious parks, where villas of XVI-XVIII centuries are preserved in the thickets of exotic plants. Some are hotels, but most have become museums housing collections of paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics and clocks. Villa Grimaldi Fassio is surrounded by a beautiful rose garden. The 15th century church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its high bell tower, baroque altar and coloured frescoes, rises above the coast. The oldest structure in Nervi is the humpback stone bridge over the river of the same name: it was built in Roman times.
Villa Luxor, Villa Grimaldi and Villa Serra, famous both for their parks and collection of modern art, and the collection of the Savoy Prince Odone (visit on request).
The colourful fishing town on the shores of Paradiso Bay – Camogli will not leave you indifferent. The whole life of the town is connected with the sea. Men spent months at sea, women were engaged in household chores. The very name of the town “Camoglie” can be deciphered as “Casa delle mogli” – “city of wives”. There is no noisy beach and tourist bustle in this town. People come here to stroll along the beautiful harbour and taste the delicacies of the sea.
