Coach & Minibus Hire in Italy

Genoa, the Old Port and the Riviera by Minibus

Genoa surprises people. Behind the port lies one of Europe's largest medieval old towns, a maze of lanes called caruggi, and east of the city the Riviera di Levante curls towards Portofino. A minibus with a driver makes it easy to enjoy both.

An easy city for buses

Genoa charges no bus access ticket to enter the city, which keeps planning simple. Setting down and picking up for up to 30 minutes is allowed almost everywhere, and the city names four handy spots: Piazza Caricamento facing the Aquarium, then Piazza De Ferrari, Piazza Villa close to the Spianata Castelletto, and Piazza Dante.

For longer waits, the listed coach parks are Via di Francia on the western side of the centre, around 40 paid spaces by the Fiumara shopping centre, and an open-air park at Marina Aeroporto. Both of the last two must be booked ahead.

White minibus parked at the curb
White minibus parked at the curb

The old town on foot

The centro storico is for walkers only, which suits a group with a guide. From Piazza Caricamento it is a short stroll to the Aquarium and the Porto Antico redeveloped by Renzo Piano; from De Ferrari, to the cathedral of San Lorenzo and up to Via Garibaldi, lined with the Renaissance Palazzi dei Rolli and the Strada Nuova museums.

Boccadasse, a fishing hamlet, and the seaside promenade at Nervi make a gentle afternoon on the east side of the city.

Flying in to Genoa

Stops worth making in Genoa

  • Portofino and the Riviera di Levante — Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli and San Fruttuoso, east of the city
  • Boccadasse and Nervi — Fishing hamlet and seaside promenade on the east side of the city
  • Cattedrale di San Lorenzo and Piazza De Ferrari — Cathedral and main square with its fountain
  • Centro storico — One of the largest medieval old towns in Europe, a maze of narrow lanes (caruggi); pedestrian only
  • Via Garibaldi and the Palazzi dei Rolli — Renaissance palaces (Musei di Strada Nuova), a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Acquario di Genova and the Porto Antico — Large aquarium and the old harbour waterfront redeveloped by Renzo Piano

Easy pickup points

  • Nervi and the Riviera di Levante
  • Principe station area
  • Brignole station area
  • Piazza De Ferrari and Via XX Settembre
  • Centro storico and the Porto Antico

Arriving by cruise ship

Portofino by road and by sea

Portofino sits at the end of a narrow coast road with very little room to park, so the operator confirms whether the vehicle can get there and where it would stop. Many groups ride the minibus to Camogli, Rapallo or Santa Margherita Ligure and finish the trip by boat, which is part of the fun.

Westwards, Savona is about 50 minutes and Finale Ligure about 1 h 10 min. La Spezia, for the Cinque Terre, takes about 1 h 45 min, and Nice across the French border close to three hours.

Boat show week

Each September the Salone Nautico fills the seafront exhibition grounds and the hotels. If you travel then, sort the vehicle's parking early.

What travellers ask us

Which airport should we use for Genoa?

The city's own Cristoforo Colombo airport is only some 11 km from Piazza De Ferrari. Of the bigger ones, Milan Linate is about 150 km, Pisa about 164 km and Milan Malpensa about 186 km, between two and three hours by road.

Which station is closest to the cruise terminals?

Genova Piazza Principe, on the western side, sits near the cruise and ferry terminals. Genova Brignole serves the east of the centre.

Is Turin or Milan a fair day trip?

Milan is about 2 h 5 min each way and Turin about 2 h 30 min, so both make long days. Leave time for the driver's breaks in the plan.

More trips we arrange

Other vehicles with a driver