Discover Genoa, Italy: focaccia and capuccino..

The second day in Genoa starts with a typical breakfast: cappuccino and focaccia. What could seem a “indecent proposal” is actually a pleasant surprise: the saltiness of Focaccia is neutralised by the sweet of the cappuccino. It is a great combination anything but bitter, as you might expect. This is not my preferred breakfast but neither the worst one.

Sticking to the theme of focaccia, immediately after breakfast we visit the “Laboratorio Focaccia Genovese”, which is a real school for aspiring “focaccieri” where methods for of focaccia production are taught. The day we’re visiting also happens to be the day that the students take their final exam to be qualified to work in a bakery; so for a day, we (bloggers) become also “focaccieri”.

The city of Genoa has an old port (porto antico): a walk along the seafront in this area is a must and the best way to relax, especially on a sunny spring day like the one we were blessed with.

It’s a popular place above all, on weekends, when it can get really crowded with local people and tourists alike.

A visit to the submarine “Nazario Sauro” is a must for both children and adults: entering the submarine and walking through the various compartments, makes you understand the poor living conditions the crew had to endure during sea missions.

All the facilities are very small: toilets, bunks, the canteen. The spaces have been reduced to the minimum: during our visit, the submarine was empty, apart from us four, but still, I had a feeling of claustrophobia. It’s difficult to imagine the life on board with 46 other people, which is the full capacity of the submarine.

Eataly is a MUST SEEE ATTRACTION  during the tour of the old port, not only for the delicious and wide choice of traditional italian food products available from the “shop”, but because of the wonderful views of the port and the city through the enormous panoramic windows.

Genoa has plenty of restaurants that offer quality regional food : The Rosemary is one of those. For the first time I sampled the Marone (fish) which is served in a mason jar. It is delicious and strongly recommended.

Wandering the streets of the city is by far the best way to understand the Genovese customs. It’s very common to discover hundred year old shops (botteghe) while walking the narrow streets of the old city center (the so called “caruggi”) and discover that these shops have been managed by the same families for centuries.

Nowadays many similar small shops have closed down in other Italian cities, yet in Genoa they are in abundance and still operating in the same way they used to.

In front of one of these botteghe, there is even a small queue of people waiting for the shop to re-open after the lunch break: when I ask one of the ladies, who was patiently waiting in a line, what was the reason for her visit, she tells me that it is hard to find the same quality spices sold in this particular shop anywhere else in the city.

The most panoramic point of the city can be found at the “Salita della Torretta”: it is a popular spot for people  looking for a little calm and tranquility in the city, and  it can be reached both on foot or by a public lift; dating back to the beginning of the century.

What better place for a peaceful dinner between friends than a wine bookshop? Nouvelle Vague: the main dining area is in the basement with a vaulted ceiling with book shelves covering every wall. It has a relaxed, informal and peaceful atmosphere and it’s a great place to finish another incredible day here in Genoa.

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Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.

2 thoughts on “Discover Genoa, Italy: focaccia and capuccino..”

  1. Next trip to Italy will definitely include a stopover in Genoa! The last time I was there I was only in Piemonte, but these pictures look too amazing, and I love focaccia!

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