My Genoa Experience & MSC Fantasia – Part 2

On my previous blog I stated we stopped in Genoa 3 nights before boarding MSC Fantasia, so what are my thoughts of this city and would I recommend it is a pre or post cruise stay? Well Genoa itself is home to more than 600,000 people and is Italy’s 6th largrst city and is the birth place of Christopher Columbus. With a stunning World Heritage Site, a thriving port set in rolling green hills, Genoa’s greatest selling point is the collection of 42 UNESCO recognised former palaces that are peppered throughout the Strade Nuove area. Just off Genoa’s harbourside, is a glorious network of narrow alleys and streets with surprises around every corner. You could spend hours wandering around this part of the city alone, with a network of historic shops each with their own fascinating stories and like many of Italy’s great cities, art and antiquity is everywhere just waiting to be discovered.

The great thing about Genoa is it a fantastic base to stay  and with excellent rail and transport links to visit places such as Santa Margherita, Portofino, Cinque Terre, as well as Florence and Pisa. Although I enjoyed my time in Genoa, I think 3 nights is more than enough and if I was to fly again into Genoa I will probably stop at the beach town of Santa Margherita. When based in Genoa we visited both Portofino and Santa Margherita which was on 45 minutes to an hour away by train. Although I enjoyed visiting Portofino and it’s was very picturesque but  it’s only small and once you have taken a few pictures that’s it. Plus being a very touristy place it was very busy and trying to sit down and having a drink or something to eat was impossible and In a way I was glad as the prices were extortionate.

Santa Margherita on the other hand s a fair-sized town, large enough not to seem smothered by the tourism. With a beautiful beach a crystal clear waters, Santa Margherita has plenty of bars, cafes, Ice cream parlours and restaurants are spread along the seafront and there are also a few along the main quay. The harbour mainly caters for smart yachts, but the town is also home to a small fishing fleet which can be seen unloading opposite the businesslike morning fish market. Unlike Portofino I found the bars and restaurants reasonably priced and I felt it was more relaxed as a resort.

So my advice is you have a cruise departing Genoa are wanting a stay pre or post cruise, Genoa is okay for 2 nights if you wanting longer then stay at the beach resort of Santa Margherita.