In short
Genoa: cruise ships berth at the Stazione Marittima piers Ponte dei Mille and Ponte Andrea Doria, in the city centre. The Old Harbour, the Aquarium and Via Garibaldi are a 15–20 minute walk; the metro from Principe reaches Piazza De Ferrari in 10 minutes. Four hours covers the old town; a full day adds Camogli or Portofino.
Starting or ending your cruise here? Port guide: terminal, getting there, where to stay →
Where do cruise ships berth in Genoa, and how do you get into town?
At the Stazione Marittima in the old passenger port — in other words, in the city itself. You walk into town: the Old Harbour is about 1.5 km along the waterfront and the old town 15–20 minutes away, with the metro from Principe station for the far end of the centre.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where the ship berths | The Ponte dei Mille and Ponte Andrea Doria piers of the Stazione Marittima, between Piazza Principe station and the Old Harbour. With several ships in port, one may be moved to a neighbouring quay. No tenders — you step off the gangway into town. |
| Walking into town | The Old Harbour (Porto Antico) and the Aquarium are about 1.5 km away, 15–20 minutes along the waterfront. Via Garibaldi is 15–20 minutes via Via Balbi or the old-town lanes; Piazza De Ferrari and San Lorenzo cathedral about 25 minutes. |
| Metro | Principe station is a few minutes from the terminal, by the railway station. The single line runs via Darsena and San Giorgio (by the Old Harbour) to De Ferrari and Brignole; De Ferrari is about 10 minutes away. |
| Trains along the coast | Genova Piazza Principe station, 5–10 minutes' walk from the gangway, has regional trains east to Nervi, Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure (for Portofino) and the Cinque Terre. |
| Typical call | Usually 8–10 hours. Genoa is also a start port, so some passengers change over on the day you call. Exact times are in the daily programme. |
| Money and language | Euro. Italian; English gets you by in the centre and in museums. Cards are taken almost everywhere, but small change is handy for the little focaccia shops. |
| Documents | Italy is in the EU and Schengen. If the ship comes from another Schengen port, there is usually no separate check; if it comes from outside Schengen, checks take place on board or at the port. Carry the document your cruise line asks for (what to check). |
| All aboard | Usually 30–60 minutes before departure. From Piazza De Ferrari back to the gangway is about 25 minutes on foot, or 10 minutes by metro plus a 5–10 minute walk; allow at least 45 minutes. |
What can you fit into a day in port in Genoa?
The old town starts almost at the gangway, so any call gives you a proper walk. A long call lets you add a trip along the Riviera — to Nervi, Camogli or Portofino.
The Old Harbour and the caruggi
From the terminal it is 15–20 minutes along the waterfront to the Old Harbour: the Aquarium, the glass Biosphere and the Bigo panoramic lift. Then into the narrow lanes of the old town to the striped San Lorenzo cathedral and Piazza De Ferrari. Back to the ship: about 25 minutes on foot, or the metro from De Ferrari to Principe.
Via Garibaldi and the view from above
The palaces of Genoa's nobility on Via Garibaldi are part of the UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli; Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Bianco hold art galleries. From Piazza del Portello a historic lift climbs to the Castelletto viewpoint, with the city, the port and your ship below. Then San Lorenzo cathedral and De Ferrari.
The Riviera: Camogli or Portofino
The train from Principe to Camogli takes about 40 minutes: colourful houses above a pebble beach. For Portofino, take the train about 50 minutes to Santa Margherita Ligure and a bus of about 20 minutes, or the boat in season. Allow 1–1.5 hours each way, so keep it for a call of 8–9 hours or more.
Boccadasse and the Nervi seafront
The fishing hamlet of Boccadasse lies within the city, about 5 km from the port: 20–30 minutes by bus or taxi from the centre. Or take the train from Principe to Nervi, about 20–25 minutes, for the Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi cliff walk and the Villa Gropallo parks.
Places on the map
The places from this guide, ready for your phone. “Map” opens Google Maps; “Walk from the pier” shows the walking route from where ships usually dock.
- Cruise pierMap
- Old Harbour and AquariumMapWalk from the pier
- Via Garibaldi (Palazzi dei Rolli)MapWalk from the pier
- San Lorenzo CathedralMapWalk from the pier
- Piazza De FerrariMapWalk from the pier
- Castelletto viewpointMapWalk from the pier
- CamogliMap
- PortofinoMap
- BoccadasseMap
Which pier your ship uses depends on the day: check the daily programme.
Can you reach Portofino or the Cinque Terre from a cruise ship in Genoa?
Portofino, yes — on a call of 8 hours or more with an early start: 1–1.5 hours each way by train and bus. The Cinque Terre are further: about 1.5 hours by train just to Monterosso, which is tight on your own.
- Portofino. Train to Santa Margherita Ligure–Portofino station, then a bus along the coast or a boat in season. The road is narrow and in summer there can be a queue for the bus, so leave a margin for the way back.
- Cinque Terre. About 1.5 hours by train to Monterosso, then local trains between the villages. If your itinerary includes La Spezia, the Cinque Terre are easier from there — La Spezia in a day.
- Not the last train back. Choose one that reaches Piazza Principe at least 1.5 hours before all-aboard: regional trains sometimes run late, and Italy has occasional transport strikes.
- Genoa's advantage. Piazza Principe station is 5–10 minutes' walk from the gangway, so a trip along the coast is simpler here than in most ports.
On your own or on a ship's excursion?
Genoa is one of the easiest ports to explore on your own: the ship berths in town, the centre is walkable, and the metro and railway station are next to the pier.
A ship's excursion makes more sense if your call is shorter than 7–8 hours and you want Portofino or the Cinque Terre, or if walking is hard for you: the old town climbs the hillsides with steps and cobbles, although lifts and funiculars help. The ship generally waits for its own excursions if they run late — it does not wait for independent passengers.
How do you make sure you are back on board in Genoa?
- The caruggi are a maze. In the narrow lanes your phone often loses its position. The rule of thumb: streets going downhill lead to the sea, and the waterfront leads to the port.
- Cruise terminal, not ferry terminal. The ferry terminal for Sardinia and Corsica is right next door. Tell a taxi driver "Stazione Marittima" and the pier name — Ponte dei Mille or Ponte Andrea Doria.
- Metro to Principe. It is 10 minutes from Piazza De Ferrari, but from the station to the gangway is another 5–10 minutes on foot.
- Strikes. If you are heading along the coast, check in the morning that no rail strike has been announced.
- What to take. Your cruise card, the document your cruise line asked for, water, comfortable shoes for the climbs and a phone with the ship's emergency number.
Where do cruises calling at Genoa start?
Genoa is a regular call on Western Mediterranean itineraries: many week-long sailings loop Genoa — Marseille — Barcelona — the Balearics — Sicily or Malta — Rome, and you can board at any of these ports. Departure ports:
- Cruises from Barcelona — Genoa is usually one or two nights away.
- Cruises from Marseille — Genoa is often the next day.
- Cruises from Civitavecchia — the port for Rome, one night's sailing from Genoa.
- Mediterranean cruises — seasons and routes in full.
Often on the same itinerary: Marseille in a day and Barcelona in a day. And if your ship calls at neighbouring Savona instead of Genoa: Savona in a day.
Common questions
Where do cruise ships dock in Genoa?
In Genoa cruise ships berth at the Stazione Marittima, on the Ponte dei Mille and Ponte Andrea Doria piers between Piazza Principe station and the Old Harbour. This is the city centre and no tenders are needed. Your pier is in the daily programme.
Can you walk from the Genoa cruise terminal to the city centre?
Yes. From the Stazione Marittima the Old Harbour and Aquarium are about 1.5 km, 15–20 minutes along the waterfront, and Via Garibaldi is also 15–20 minutes. Piazza De Ferrari is about 25 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by metro from Principe station.
What can I see in Genoa in 4 hours from a cruise ship?
In 4 hours in Genoa you can walk the Old Harbour with the Aquarium, the old-town lanes, San Lorenzo cathedral and Piazza De Ferrari. If you swap the Aquarium for Via Garibaldi, there is time to take the lift up to the Castelletto viewpoint.
Can I get to Portofino on my own from Genoa cruise port?
Yes, on a call of 8 hours or more: the train from Genova Piazza Principe to Santa Margherita Ligure takes about 50 minutes, then a bus of about 20 minutes or a boat in season. That is 1–1.5 hours each way, so plan to be back with at least 1.5 hours to spare.
How far is the Cinque Terre from Genoa?
From Genoa to Monterosso, the first Cinque Terre village, is about 1.5 hours by train. That is tight for a port day, so on a short call a ship's excursion is the safer choice, and the Cinque Terre are easier from La Spezia if it is on your itinerary.
Do I need my passport to go ashore in Genoa?
Italy is in the EU and Schengen. If your ship arrives in Genoa from a Schengen port, there is usually no separate passport check; if it comes from outside Schengen, checks take place on board or at the port. Take ashore the document your cruise line asks for.
How the club fits in
Cruises calling at Genoa that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which itineraries calling at Genoa are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Practical port information is summarised from public sources as of October 2026: berths, call times, timetables, entry rules and visiting arrangements may change. Before you travel, check the ship's daily programme and the requirements for your passport. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.