Anyone been to Genoa?

[Lottapianos]

Planning a few nights away for me and DP end of September for a special occasion. We love eating and drinking, strolling, a bit of shopping and a bit of sight seeing. We were thinking Italy and someone recommended Genoa. It sounds fab but I would love to hear others' experiences. Any hotel or restaurant recommendations also very welcome. Thanks!

Liguria is gorgeous. I've not found Genoa to be particularly nice but maybe I've missed the good bits. It's a bit seedy, very much a port town, prostitutes around. I'd get the train down the coast a bit. Anywhere between there and La Spezia is very nice. I particularly like Sestri Levante and Camogli.

Haven't personally been but Sestri Levante is meant to be nice. Cinque terre is not too far either, stunning! Genoa, agree with above poster, very much a port town.

Agree , not sure what people see in Genoa as it was a total let down for us. Portofino is very chic, if pricey!

Yes, we did, it was lovely. Didn't notice any prostitutes... It seems to have had a lot of regeneration money spent on it.
Not a huge amount to do compared with other Italian cities but enough for a couple of days and plenty of nice trips from there.

I haven't been to Genoa, but I've been to the Ligurian coast and it's very nice. Plus, there are trains that trundle up and down that bit of coast, so you could maybe stay somewhere pretty like Santa Marguerita or Portofino and have a day in Genoa doing museums and sights? The Cinque Terre are lovely too, if you fancy a day's walking (all doable on train as well).

I liked Genoa, but PPs are right that there isn't much to it. The view over town and bay is lovely. The old town is windy and interesting. Certainly can be seedy in places. The highlight is probably going to one of the cinque terre (short hop on train), rather than Genoa itself.

However, if you have not yet been to Turin, I would go there instead. It's fabulous- as beautiful as Florence and Rome in places but without all the tourists.

I have just had a weekend in Milan. Would highly recommend. Lake Como easily accessible too.

We had a week in Genoa last September. Stayed at the Bristol Palace hotel right in town centre, amazing circular staircase with a lot of history (Google for more stuff than I can remember). Lots of nice shops - Italian style - under covered walkway and amazing mosaic pavements. Easy walk down to the railway station and other shopping streets. Really nice big fountain a few minutes walk the other way where people congregate in the evening to sit on steps of other buildings. Impromptu busking and salsa dancing session one night was good to watch and a lot of people just got up, had a quick dance then moved on. Walk down to the harbour area also easy in about 15-20 mins. There's a massive SeaLife Centre if that's of interest to you or a nice stroll around the newly developed waterside bit. As mentioned before, there is definitely a seedy side down that way at night. We wandered there by mistake whilst looking for backstreet restaurants and DP was propositioned several times, all the "ladies the night" were very obvious in the narrow street doorways and on corners, we must have passed at least 50-60 in all nationalities, shapes and dress styles - something for everyone. Interesting but avoid if easily intimidated! Get the City Bus Tour (by the fountain) to explore then either hop on/off where you want or ear-mark places to visit later. A lot of lovely buildings, atmospheric churches and delicious ice-cream! Good food market in square not far from our landmark of the big fountain. Trains along coast to cinqueterre lovely but beware these towns are touristy, although still attractive. Walk along the wide prom from Genoa in about 45 mins to Boccadasse tucked away down a steep cobbled street with a tiny pebble beach and basic bars (pretty but the main town isn't great) and get the bus back for 3 euros. Plenty of places to eat at reasonable prices. We've been to Florence, Milan, Verona, Bologna, Lucca, Sienna, Amalfi coast and Venice - Genoa isn't at top of list but fine for a short break and I love all things Italian!