Old Port hotels in Porto Antico, Italy

Stay near Genoa’s Old Port

Genoa's Old Port is a bustling hub bursting with attractions, including a huge aquarium, the pirate ship Galeone Neptune, the Biosphere and The Bigo Lift. Stay near the Old Port to be within walking distance of these family-friendly sights and the Old Port’s al fresco restaurants, cafes and bars.

Porto Antico is also just moments away from Genoa's ferry terminal and cruise ship terminal at Old Port. Several of Genoa's grand hotels are near the attractive Old Port, many of which have beautiful sea views. And if you're on a budget, there's also a range of budget-friendly accommodation close to the harbour area.

The Redevelopment of the Old Port

After suffering bomb damage during World War II, Genoa's Old Port was seriously run-down until 1992 when it was dramatically transformed by famous local architect Renzo Piano. The area was redeveloped to mark the 500th anniversary of Genoese explorer Columbus’s discovery of the New World. The wharf area found new life with walkways and plazas, while cavernous warehouses became shops, restaurants and museums.

Old Port Attractions

Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Old Port’s beautiful waterfront, where multi-million pound yachts abound. If you want to see one of the largest ports in Europe from another perspective, take a one-hour boat tour out around the harbour. Whale-watching trips also depart from the Old Port.

Old Port is home to Italy's largest aquarium, where you can see with sharks, dolphins and more. Also worth a look is its glass and steel biosphere containing a tropical garden. Enjoy a few hours at the maritime museum, the Galata Maritime Museum, where stand-out exhibits include a life-sized reconstruction of a 17th-century galley ship. There's also a section dedicated to Genoa's most famous navigator, Christopher Columbus. For a bird's eye view of the Old Port and beyond, take a ride up the Bigo Lift, an impressive panoramic elevator.

For your stay in Genoa, find a hotel near the Old Port to be within strolling distance of its numerous sightseeing attractions.