Where to Stay in Genoa: Best Neighborhoods & Hotel Tips

The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Genoa

• Historic Old Town: Perfect for first-time visitors! The alleyways (Caruggi) of the Old Town are packed with great hotels, plenty of sights to see in Genoa, and fantastic restaurants.
• Western Old Town: The western Old Town around the University of Genoa has a lively student vibe, a diverse range of attractions, and — crucially — plenty of parking for drivers.
• Port of Genoa: At the port you’ll find really affordable accommodation with the sea right on your doorstep.

An Overview of the Neighborhoods on a Map

Staying in the Historic Old Town

A hotel in the historic Old Town is the right call if it’s your first time in Genoa and you want to be close to all the action.

In the alleyways of the Old Town, you’re right in the heart of historic Genoa. The hotels here are often housed in buildings that are centuries old and have an incredibly authentic charm you just can’t fake.

Throughout the Old Town you’ll find mini supermarkets, focaccerias, small restaurants, tiny tailor shops, and delicatessens. There’s simply no room for department stores in here, and that’s precisely what gives it its very special atmosphere.

Everything is also super close together, so you can easily explore all the highlights on foot.

Note: The streets in the Old Town are a bumpy affair. Keep that in mind when choosing your luggage and your footwear. Also: many hotels in older buildings don’t have an elevator — make sure to check for that when booking if it matters to you.
Advantages of staying in the historic Old Town

• Authentic Old Town atmosphere
• Many sights within walking distance
• Hotels with real character
• Super central location
• Lots of restaurants and bars

Disadvantages of staying in the historic Old Town

• Limited parking options
• Some hotels without elevators

Our Hotel Recommendations for the Historic Old Town

Staying in the Western Old Town

We’d suggest a hotel in the western Old Town if you want to experience more than the usual tourist spots — or if you’re arriving by car.

To the west of the historic alleyways, the Old Town gradually fades out. Here, among cafés, hotels, and palazzi, you’ll find a large student population.

That’s because part of the University of Genoa is located on Via Balbi. In this neighborhood you get more than the typical sights — you also get a real taste of everyday life in Genoa.

The historic alleyways and the Port of Genoa are just a stone’s throw away, so you’re in a really central spot and can easily walk spontaneously from A to B. The Porto Antico is reachable on foot in five minutes at most.

The biggest advantage of the western Old Town, though, is for drivers. There are plenty of street parking spots and several parking garages nearby.

Our tip: The restaurants in the western Old Town are honestly a bit disappointing — many can fairly be called tourist traps. For a proper meal, walk the few minutes into the historic Old Town instead.
Advantages of staying in the western Old Town

• Convenient, central location
• Affordable parking garages nearby
• Close to the metro station
• Historic Old Town within easy walking distance

Disadvantages of staying in the western Old Town

• Less character than the historic center
• Not many good restaurants

Our Hotel Recommendations for the Western Old Town

Staying at the Port of Genoa

A hotel at the ferry port is worth considering if you’re watching your budget or continuing your journey by ship.

If you’re after really affordable accommodation in Genoa, the port area is worth a look. Right at the ferry port you’ll find a number of very inexpensive but decent bed & breakfast options.

Honestly, these are really only worth it if you need to catch an early-morning ferry or are on a very tight budget. The area doesn’t have much going for it in terms of atmosphere.

That said, the Old Town is only three train stops away, and the ferry terminal “Terminal Traghetti” has a shopping center with a supermarket, shops, restaurants, and cafés.

Advantages of staying at the Port of Genoa

• Ferry terminal right at your door
• Very affordable room rates

Disadvantages of staying at the Port of Genoa

• Industrial atmosphere
• Loud and somewhat grimy area
• Sometimes poor air quality due to ship exhaust

Our Hotel Recommendations for the Port of Genoa

Practical Tips for Genoa

Here are a few practical things to know that’ll help you choose and book the right hotel in Genoa.

Hotel Prices in Genoa

Since Genoa is still a relatively under-the-radar pick for city trips in Italy, Genoa accommodation is still pretty affordable. As usual, prices climb on weekends and in summer.

• You can find a solid double room starting at around 70 euros per night.
• From around 100 euros per night, you can stay in beautifully renovated historic hotels in the Old Town.
• At 200 euros per night, you’re already in the luxury category in Genoa.

The areas around Genoa tend to be pricier rather than cheaper. There are only a handful of hotels in the mountains, and the Ligurian coast is lined with seaside resort towns.

Tourist Tax in Genoa

Genoa charges a tourist tax per person per night. Depending on the hotel category, it ranges from 1.50 to 4.50 euros.

When booking, check whether the city tax is already included in the price. On Booking.com you can see this at a glance. If there’s no mention of a tourist tax during the booking process, it’ll be collected on-site at check-in.