Historic Shops in Genoa: An Itinerary Through the Caruggi, Among Ancient Trades and Traditions

The historic shops in Genoa are not just stores: they are places where time has left visible marks—wooden shelves, old aromas, and hands that keep doing things the old way. Hidden in the caruggi, the narrow alleys of the old town, are chocolate shops, spice stores, herbalists, and small artisan workshops that resist change and tell the story of the city better than any guidebook. In this itinerary, we’ll discover the trades that still live among the stones of the historic centre, following the thread of a quiet, tangible Genoa, far from the fast-paced tourist routes. A short journey, but full of stories, materials, and memory.

Through the Caruggi: Where the Itinerary of Genoa’s Historic Shops Begins

The heart of Genoa’s historic shops beats in the caruggi, the narrow alleys of the centre that climb, twist, and cross in unexpected ways. This is where the real city hides, made of small storefronts, faded signs, and workshops where things are still made by hand. It’s a network of streets that follows the logic of history, not that of modern planning. Every corner might reveal a craft preserved through time, a trade that endures. The itinerary begins here, among smells, sounds, and gestures that speak of a Genoa that hasn’t let itself be forgotten.

Historic Chocolate Shops: The Aroma of Artisanal Tradition

Just a few steps from Via del Campo, the scent of freshly worked chocolate marks the presence of Viganotti, a chocolate shop in business since 1866. Here, cocoa is still transformed using bronze moulds and antique machines, in a workshop that feels untouched by time. Production is daily, recipes are original, flavours are sharp and defined.

Spice Shops and Grocers: Scents from the World in Genoa’s Alleys

Once points of contact with the world, today they are living archives of scents and memories. Drogheria Torielli, operating since 1929, welcomes those looking for rare spices, loose teas, old-fashioned candies, and custom spice blends for cooking and infusions. Every jar tells a story, every product is still chosen with care. Few grocers remain in the centre with such a strong identity: sober spaces, wooden shelves, an atmosphere suspended between past and present.

Historic Herbalists: Natural Remedies and Ancient Recipes

Climbing toward Castelletto, among the ups and downs of the old town, you’ll find the Antica Farmacia Sant’Anna, founded in 1650 by the Discalced Carmelite friars. Here, infusions, oils, and ointments are still prepared following ancient monastic recipes, in a quiet, sober environment. Not far away, in the heart of the centre, the Antica Erboristeria San Giorgio offers a selection of natural remedies, medicinal herbs, organic products, and advice rooted in a long family tradition. Two different places, united by the same respect for knowledge and natural rhythms.

Artisan Workshops: Beauty in the Details

In Genoa, craftsmanship survives. In the alleys, you can still find workshops where copper is worked, metal is engraved, and books are bound by hand. The Laboratorio del Rame by Giancarlo Faccio, located on Salita San Matteo, is a rare example: traditional tools, patient engravings, unique objects born from ancient gestures. Other workshops are dedicated to damascening—the art of inlaying precious metals—or to the handcrafted production of decorated paper. These are quiet, sober spaces, but capable of preserving a material culture that has disappeared elsewhere.

Why Visit the Historic Shops of Genoa Today

hoosing to visit the historic shops of Genoa means coming into contact with a living part of the city, made of people, stories, and skills that withstand the passage of time. In an era of fast, standardised tourism, these places offer an authentic, tangible experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Supporting historic shops also means contributing to the protection of a unique cultural and social heritage, made of memory, work, and identity. For those who want to dive deeper or create their own itinerary through workshops, grocers, and chocolate makers, a full selection is available on the official Historic Shops of Genoa website, where you can find themed routes, both guided and self-led.

Book your room at Hotel Astoria: the historic centre is just a 15-minute walk away. Simply follow Via XX Settembre, cross Piazza De Ferrari, and head down toward Via San Lorenzo to immediately immerse yourself in the caruggi and the first historic shops. A simple route, and the beginning of a slow, rewarding discovery.