What are your thoughts on Genoa? Did you love it? hate it? and why?

If I'm not interested in museums, do you think one day is enough - as a day trip from Milan? Or would you give it one or two overnights?

And if you were trying to show Italy to someone who has never been, would you take her to Genoa or Bologna for a day trip (from Milan)?

I've been to Italy many times and am going again next March, partly to show it to my friend, but for me it's just that I like to be in Italy. My friend has only been to Europe once, to visit a friend in Scotland. We are flying in and out of Milan (not negotiable) and will start in Venice for 4 nights (3 days). Then we have four more days till she needs to leave, I will stay another week. So.... do I take her to Genoa as a day trip from Milan or would you suggest perhaps Bologna instead. Once she returns home I could go to Genoa, either as a day trip or for a couple of days. She's mentioned Genoa a few times but isn't sure why she's interested in it. I've never been so I think I will work it into this trip either with my friend or after she leaves. She also wants to see Lake Como. Since weather is uncertain in March I thought if we just spend the second four nights in Milan we could day trip to Varenna if we get a sunny day, and to somewhere else on crappy days.

It's a nice town, if museums leave you cold, see what else might attract you - here : www.visitgenoa.it/en/homepage

On the way there or on the way back you might as well follow the coast, which takes you through the famous Cinque Terre. Don't rush that, it will be a day's worth of a trip.

Trains at www.trenitalia.it. Spell it Genova.

Bologna is a half hour quicker and might, on balance, have more to offer, but again - what attracts you to a city once the museums are out of the equation?

Bologna is far more charming, and a much more pleasant city to walk around, especially if you're not into museums. Not to mention its the culinary capital of Italy.

There are many beautiful villages and towns in the vicinity of Genoa, but I think you should save the Ligurian Coast and Lake Como for a time when the weather is nice. They are practically dead during winter.

I've only spent 6 short hours on my last day on the Riviera last year, stopped for a short visit on my way to Milan.
I am VERY interested in museums and churches and will be back in Genoa for several days in the future.

I was love at first sight. The different architecture from different periods: Via Garibaldi is stunning, Via XX Settembrre and Piazza de Ferrari provide a different experience, then you have the Caruggi with their, let's say, special atmosphere. Other palazzi I just happened to bump into, old town streets, the cathedral, all fascinating. Also, I loved the displays in restaurants, food shops, everything looked so appetizing. I didn't even take a look at the port, wanted to save that for when I have more time. Nor did I take any of the elevators going to the upper town. I feel there's lots more to explore and can't wait to go back, actually.

So my point of view is yes, it is definitely worth a visit. I can't compare it to Bologna, which I know well from several past visits. Both provide a great experience, but different. Bologna's centre is more compact, more manageable on a day's visit. Other than that I wouldn't know how to choose between them. Both wonderful.

Thanks for the replies.

I've been to the CT - and most of the other towns between there and Genoa - Rapallo, S. Marg, Camogli, Portofino, Portovenere. A couple of trips, over a week total. And I know March isn't the best time for that area and that we don't have enough time. I should have probably said that. Anyway, never managed to find time to stop in Genoa on those trips, that's why I'm thinking about it now. Also thought cities in March are a 'safer' bet than things which are primarily outdoors.

Also been to Bologna a few times and loved it. So interesting to see that a couple of you thought Bologna had more to offer than Genoa. While my friend hasn't been to either Bologna or Genoa, since I have been to Bologna and since she mentioned it, I though Genoa might make more sense.

I am interested in photography, wandering and exploring old cities, architecture. In either case we would just be doing a walking tour (on our own, not with an organized group, I put my own 'walks' together from guidebooks, internet sources) and have lunch. Certainly churches but not really time for museums.

Thanks for the opinions.

As noted above, the cities are totally different in character. The charms of Bologna are immediately clear after you have left the station area. Genoa has many faces, from the elegant to the seedy, and needs a few days to appreciate.

I didn't spend enough time in Genoa, I guess. Iy is not very high on my to visit list ether.
Bologna on the other hand is a place I'd go back to in a heartbeat.

I love Genoa. But if you are not interested in aquariums, museums, churches, palaces and other cultural things, I cannot immagine what you could do there.

I just returned from, Genoa. I'd say if you're not into museums one day should do it. This certainly isn't a knock on Genoa, I found it to be a very beautiful city, but I'd guess you might prefer to spend
time elsewhere in Italy.

Thanks for the opinions. tonfromleiden and WoinParis - I think you are right about the charms of Bologna. Maybe this would be a better place to take a first timer to Italy.

neckervd - I just said what I would do there, (two replies above yours) so not sure why you said you couldn't imagine what I would do there.

Actually I never understand why everyone assumes you have to go to museums in every city. I live within 3 hours of some of the world's best museums, and have visited the major ones in Europe so I would rather not just visit another museum (unless it is something different or special) - I'd rather wander around and soak up atmosphere and admire the differences between cities.

Although the aquarium in Genoa does sound pretty good. Anyone been to that?

"Actually I never understand why everyone assumes you have to go to museums in every city"
I never said that.

I agree with you, that about 80 per cent of all European museums are not particularly interesting.
But on the other hand, it's difficult to understand a city without knowing why it exists, who built which beautiful building and why....
and these things are normally explaned in city museums.

I think that a lot of misunderstanding comes from the fact that "museum" means all and nothing:
Aya Sofia Museum at Istanbul, Swiss Village Museum at Ballenberg, Botanical Alpine flowers open air museums, Neuschwanstein castle museum at Fuessen, Alhambra Museum at Granada, Smuggler Museum at Cantine di Gandria, Umbrella Museum at Gignese, Musée de la Déportation at Lyon, Candomble Museum at Salvador da Bahia......

I certainly don't think of the Alhambra or Aya Sofia as museums (unless you mean an 'associated' museum, not the main site). I do visit most churches and cathedrals but rarely go to the 'cathedral museums' that are associated with some.

In any event I think I have decided to do an overnight in Bologna between Venice and Milan, and then after my friend comes back home, I'll do one or two nights in Genoa.

So now question is - one or two nights? And which area to stay in. I had heard the area around Piazza Principe train station was kind of 'seedy'. I am normally not at all averse to staying near train stations, I find it quite convenient especially if only staying one or two nights. But since I'll be alone at this point I don't want to stay in a sketchy area. Although some of the hotels I'm finding seem quite nice in that area.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Aya Sofia is officially a museum (and as good if not better than many other Byzantine museums). But that's not the point here.

You ask about Genova PP. Most hotels along and around Via Balbi are OK. When I have to sleep there between a train and a ferry, I usually choose Agnello d'Oro.
But it's true that a few hundred metres below begins a rather seedy area, inhabited (since more than a decade) by African day labourers.
The choice of good restaurants in the Vial Balbi area is extremely small. I usually go to Tralalero. Streets tend to be empty after 9pm. The counters of PP railway station close even before 8pm.
There is much more life around Brignole railway station where local people live. All La Spezia - Pisa bound trains stop at Brignole.

I stayed at the Bristol Palace on Via Settembre a few years back, about a 10 minute walk from Brignole. I was quite pleased with the hotel and the location, convenient to everything I wanted to do. Great breakfast, too.

http://www.hotelbristolpalace.it