Genoa Old Town Discovery Private Walking Tour

About this tour

This 3–4 hour private walking tour unpacks Genoa's medieval core with a local guide, tracing the city's rise as a maritime power through its architecture and urban layout. You'll thread the carrugi—those famously tight medieval laneways—past nobleman's palaces, original fortifications, and squares where Genoese dynasties left their mark. The tour includes public transport and concludes with views across Europe's largest medieval centre and Italy's biggest working port.

Highlights

• Walk Europe's largest surviving medieval old town
• Navigate the carrugi, Genoa's distinctive narrow alleyways
• See Columbus's house and verify local connection
• Stand in Piazza San Lorenzo's grand medieval square
• Survey the Porto Antico from elevated vantage points
• Trace the original city walls and defensive lines

What to expect

Expect a lot of walking on uneven cobbles and steep gradients—this is a working medieval city, not a museum. Your guide will unlock the stories embedded in doorways, plaques, and street patterns that most visitors miss. The carrugi can feel claustrophobic; buildings lean across alleyways and daylight dims. You'll pause in open piazzas for context and breathing room. The final stretch includes a climb for panoramic views of the old town spilling toward the harbour.

Good to know