You could walk endlessly in its historic center through the charming “caruggi”, the narrow alleys lined with tall houses, without ever getting tired. Every wall, every house, alley and building, each villa, park and fort, preserve the charm of the ancient Maritime Republic of Genova. “City of arms and trade“, its artistic treasures are kept inside the noble palaces, called “rolli”, and in many museums. Genova, capital of pesto and of the good food, offers an efficient commercial port, numerous industrial activities and a cutting-edge scientific production thanks to the Collina Erzelli’s technological and scientific center.
Eating in the Ligurian city means enjoying a cuisine mainly based on legumes, fish and wild herbs. Wandering through its streets in search of the best pesto is certainly not an easy task, but we try to simplify your research by suggesting to head in Piazza de Ferrari (Ferrari square), where you’ll find Trattoria Rosmarino, where tradition and sophistication form a without equal union.
You have just finished visiting the Aquarium, you want to refresh yourself, and most importantly you are fond of new flavors? The right place for you is named Trattoria dell’Acciughetta, a youthful and bubbly little place where, in addition to the inevitable trofie with pesto, you can taste the excellent “pesto all’acciughetta” (anchovy pesto). Besides the tasteful and timeless sauce made of basil, pine nuts , garlic, olive oil and parmesan, Genova is also famous for its focaccia, which the Genoese eat at any hour of the day, from breakfast, soaked in cappuccino, up to dinner time. You can find it in the classic version with oil or with the cheese.
Among the best known venues for the best focaccia, we suggest Panificio Mario located in via San Vincenzo (San Vincenzo street), and the Pizzeria Del Ponte, where to try the cheese version. You can also find the farinata, another typical dish made from chickpea flour, which looks like a very thin pie, in all taverns and particularly in via San Vincenzo, the road for excellent street food. For a lunch or dinner based on fish, stop in the most beautiful city tavern, “Ombre Rosse”, a small restaurant situated on the ground floor of an ancient noble house, that has over years become a meeting place for intellectuals, curious tourists, writers and young people. Finally, a must is a leap to the Fabbrica di cioccolato Romeo Viganotti and in the Laboratorio Pietro Romanengo, renowned “shop” for jams, syrups and candies.
Genova has an excellent tourist accommodation with more than 500 facilities amongst hotels, pensions, B&B and apartments. If you really don’t want to give up the convenience of a location that allows you to easily reach all major attractions, you can opt for the Hotel Helvetia, situated in an ancient palace dated back to 1585 in the heart of the city, or else Hotel Veronese, housed in a residence of the ‘400 equipped with the latest amenities and located near the Aquarium.
