We are making a transit/rest stop in Genoa and I'm very unsure about the length of time to spend there. I like the food of Liguria and I want to find the spot where the villain drowned in Daniel Deronda, but would two nights do for a quick taste and look around? The first night would be at the end of a long travel day and we wouldn't arrive until afternoon. The second day and night would be at our disposal.

I'm trying to make comparisons to other port cities I know in Italy. I loved Palermo but disliked Naples. Can we compare Genoa to either? I'm reading about Genoa and it seems that its parts are all vastly different. Where and how long to stay are decisions I need to make.
We will arrive and leave by train.

I visited Genova on a daytrip from Milan and I found that 1 day was enough to get a quick taste and to realise how much is there to see in and around the city and I'd like to go back for more.

I haven't been to Palermo and Naples yet, but from what I know about these cities I'd say that Genova has some of the down to earth grittiness of Palermo and Naples, but since it's in Northern Italy the street life is less lively than in the Mezzogiorno. Locals seemed more reserved than in the South, but being there on a rainy October day could play a role in this.

Why did you dislike Naples? Palermo and Naples looks quite similar to me, but as I said I have yet to visit them.

We just returned from our trip to Italy, having spent 6 nights in Rapallo as our base for the area. We did a day trip to Genoa, did not spend any nights there, just took the train up in the morning and spent the day. I realize that we clearly did not see everything, but for us the one day was enough to get a taste of Genoa. Being from a big city, we preferred spending more time in the smaller towns and villages we were visiting and did not want any more time in a bigger city such as Genoa. We saw the harbor area, at lunch at a spot on the water, strolled the old city seeing some of the villas, the cathedral, etc. We have also been to Naples on a prior trip, and it is somewhat similar in that it is a real working "gritty" type city. Every spot has its unique identity however, and I realize everyone has a preference in how to spend their time in Italy. So while I'm glad I saw Genoa, I believe for us the one day was enough and will continue to prefer seeing the smaller villages, towns, etc.

Why did I not like Naples as much as some other cities in Italy? Honestly, I ran in to somewhat combative and unpleasant people in a few different places. I thought it was dirty, and I certainly didn't think Palermo was dirty. Palermo seemed to have a modern pulse with a sense of contemporary culture, whereas I felt that Naples wasn't even trying. I would go back and try it again. I have no preference for large cities or small villages; it's always the individual places that I react to.

However, since we have to pass through Genoa I hope someone here sees this and says that Genoa is worth an extra day. Being able to stop there and see at least some of the numerous palazzi and churches seemed like a good idea. I also need to eat trofie and focaccia.

"I ran in to somewhat combative and unpleasant people in a few different places"

Well, that could happen anywhere even in the friendliest cities of the world. Bad luck.

"I thought it was dirty, and I certainly didn't think Palermo was dirty."

I know that Naples has a long standing problem with garbage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naples...agement_crisis

Genova didn't look more dirty to me than the typical Italian city.

"I hope someone here sees this and says that Genoa is worth an extra day"

It's absolutely worth an extra day at least.

I've been to Genoa, Palermo, Naples, and Marseille France and think there are a lot of similarity between all of them. Which makes sense as they are all Mediterranean port cities with rich histories and a reputation for being a bit 'gritty'. I loved them all. I think maybe if you liked Palermo but didn't like Naples it could have just been an unfortunate experience with the specific people you came in contact with. And I have heard about the garbage issue, though I can't recall it when I was there (only been there once). But in terms of general appearances - those cities all have great architecture, but some areas are a bit run down, graffiti, etc. Most of Genoa's waterfront is recently spruced up and clean. I was pleasantly surprised by the city, but I felt the same way about all four of those cities.

Here's my photos of Genoa (and there are photos of the other three cities on that site as well)
https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/p923350972

Genoa, has a lovely old town, rather like an African souk with little courtyards opening after climbing multiple steps, part of this is inhabited by tourist tat shops but the rest is fine. Part of the old walls still exists and of course, there are some museums and churches. Down towards the port/ferry area there are more tourist attractions. The problem is that the main roads run through the city so once you get out of the Centro Storico it all gets a bit motorway like. If I was going I'd try and leave Genoa asap as there are little towns along the Ligurian coast (especially to the west) that are so much nicer and the flowers will be doing well by April. So give Genoa a day max then hit the highway (well train would be easier).

Palermo is a far nicer visit with the Centro Storico broken off from the port area and generally fewer people living on top of each other in the centre (or maybe just tidier). The public transport system works well and makes a sprawling city very manageable

Naples is just a gritty town with some narrow streets with everyone a bit on edge living every day as if it were their last (small volcano in the garden does this to you). In my two day stop, I saw some beautiful things and two crimes committed in the streets in broad daylight. The recent bar shoot-out and the rubbish in the streets is the norm. My Italian friends don't think it is part of Italy.

I've visited Genoa twice, most recently this past March for 3 nights (2 full days). While some people would argue you could spend a month there, I think 1 full day is plenty to see the main sights in the centro area. And I would highly recommend the Bristol Palace, which is about a :10 walk from the Brignole station.

Tuscanlifeedit - I was there in late March two years ago and yes, that is wisteria. Here is the link to my blog which has more descriptions and impressions of what is in the photos. I was there for a day trip from Milan and felt that while I saw a lot, I want to return. For example, I didn't have time for the aquarium which I hear is wonderful. I think two full days would be good, maybe even three .

Holly_uncasdewar, I was hoping you would respond. Thank you.

isabel: the link is missing but thank you very much.

bilbo: we've spent a bit of time on the Ligurian coast over the years and are fond of it. But we are headed to France after landing in Milan. All our original (not very) well laid plans have been thwarted, but it is easy to get from MXP to Genoa, and also from Genoa to Nice. I will require a travel break: I considered just spending the night in Genoa before training to Nice, but it does seem like a day and night spent in Genoa itself could be worthwhile. I see that Fodorites are divided.

Divided?

Reading all replies it seems to me that all of us agree that Genova is worth at least 1 day. The only disagreement is whether it's worth more than a day, but it's irrelevant for you since all you have is 2 nights.

Let me recommend you however an alternative route from Milan to Nice via Piemont and the Maritime Alps, since you've already been to Liguria this will be something new.

It's a railway with stunning views and the option to stop at some lovely mountain towns, but it involves several train changes.

The route is: Milano - Torino(Turin) - Cuneo(Coni in French) - Breil-sur-Roya - Nice.

https://rail.cc/en/blog/tenda-railway-nice-turin

You can see more photos in this German travel report(scroll down to Tag 2 =Day 2): https://www.bahnreiseberichte.de/053...ence/index.htm

tuscanllifeedit - sorry, here it is - https://andiamo.zenfolio.com/blog/20...e-lugano-pavia

If our day trip there is any indication, 2 nights will give you time for highlights and a side trip to the nearby fishing village with the huge frying pan. Go to 11th of March in the TR below:

Trip Report from Menton and Lyon

Camogli is the name of the fishing village with the huge frying pan.

Genoa and it's population are completely different from Palermo or Naples, big Southern cities where is much more to do and to see than at Ligurian Genoa. But Genoa offers enough stuff for at least a full 1 day (histocric center, Museo del mare, Aquarium, etc.). Day trips from Genoa to San Futtuoso - Portofino, 5Terre, etc. are easy).

Thanks TDudette and neckervd.

I'm considering Genoa as a rest and transit stop so probably won't do any day trips to the Riviera Ponente, where we have enjoyed previous vacations.

If anything, I might try to make our way up to Nervi or the cemetery in Genoa I've been reading about, but really, Genoa does seem to have plenty for a few days of art, architecture, and food. We won't get in until the afternoon of the first day, after a long day of travel with two flights and a train ride from MXP to Milano Centrale and then on to Genoa. My thoughts are that spending the next day exploring Genoa is enough.

Genoa - Nervi is just a bituminized pedestrian promenade along the sea shore

Thank you.
I have read about it and looked at photos. I was thinking of a sunset-timed visit, if at all. In any case, I'm more and more convinced that we'll have plenty to do in two nights and only one full day.