What to do in Genoa in winter: activities and places to discover in the off-season

veronicameriggi
Dec 29, 2025
4 min read

In the winter months, Genoa invites a more attentive way of looking. Distances feel shorter, places are less crowded and visits are easier to organise. Understanding what to do in Genoa in winter means looking beyond the events calendar and focusing on what remains accessible all year round: museums, historic palaces, neighbourhoods to explore at an unhurried pace, indoor spaces that work even when the weather changes. It is a good time for those who prefer to visit a city calmly, choosing what to see without chasing the “right” season.

If getting around easily matters, having a convenient base makes a difference: Hotel Astoria is in a practical location for reaching Genoa’s city centre, the main attractions and museums, with public transport just a short walk away. A solution that makes it easier to plan your days without complicated logistics, even in winter. Discover our rooms and organise your stay in Genoa with maximum comfort.

What to do in Genoa in winter when it rains or gets cold

When the weather does not encourage time outdoors, Genoa still offers plenty of alternatives that allow you to experience the city without giving anything up. It is in moments like these that you really understand what to do in Genoa in winter: focus on places that are open all year, well connected and able to tell the city’s story even indoors. Not by chance, those searching for what to do in Genoa when it rains often end up discovering its more cultural side.

Museums and historic palaces to visit

Genoa’s museums are always a solid choice in winter, both for the variety of their collections and for how easily they fit into a city itinerary. From museums of ancient and modern art to more specialised collections, the historic centre offers many options, most of them reachable on foot.

A special mention goes to the Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: historic residences that tell the story of the city and that, throughout the year, can be visited regularly or during special openings. Palazzo Ducale is also a must, thanks to a rich programme of exhibitions that makes it worth visiting even outside the peak season.

Aquarium and indoor attractions

Among the most immediate options, the Acquario di Genova remains one of the city’s main attractions, especially when the weather is uncertain. Nearby, the Galata Museo del Mare offers a deeper look into Genoa’s relationship with the sea, with spacious and well-designed exhibition routes. Completing the Porto Antico area is the Biosfera, a short but different visit that is easy to include even on a rainy day.

Genoa in winter: walks and neighbourhoods to explore

The idea that winter is not a time for walking is a simplification that does not really hold up in Genoa. The climate remains mild, distances are short and many neighbourhoods are easy to explore even when the weather is not ideal. The way you move changes, not the meaning of the visit. And it is often in this way that you truly understand what to do in Genoa in winter, without limiting yourself only to indoor activities.

The historic centre and the caruggi

Genoa’s historic centre is one of the areas that copes best with the winter season. The caruggi offer shelter from wind and rain, the streets are less crowded and the atmosphere becomes easier to read. It is the right time to step into small shops, pause in historic cafés and notice details that tend to go unnoticed in summer.

Porto Antico and the seafront

The Genoa's Porto Antico also remains a pleasant area to visit during the colder months, especially in the middle of the day. The seaside walk changes tone but keeps its purpose: the skyline can be observed more calmly, spaces feel more liveable and cafés and indoor areas make it easy to stop without depending on the weather.

Winter events and traditions in Genoa

Winter in Genoa is not just about museums and urban walks. There are times of the year when the city adds a few extra layers, without turning itself upside down or relying on a single event. It is a form of programming spread across the city, woven into everyday life, and capable of making even a short visit interesting.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve

During the festive season, Christmas in Genoa is mostly experienced by walking through the city. Christmas markets are spread between the centre and more outlying areas, lights accompany evening strolls and many initiatives revolve around cultural spaces and main squares. It is not a Christmas focused on one single location, but rather a series of scattered events that are easy to come across even without following a strict programme.

The same applies to New Year’s Eve, which in recent years has focused on accessible, city-wide events rather than on large, centralised celebrations.

Rolli Days and cultural events

Among the most interesting events are the Rolli Days, days dedicated to the opening of the Palazzi dei Rolli, which are normally closed to the public. They are an excellent opportunity to discover the city’s historic heritage through organised routes and guided tours.

The Rolli Days help visitors understand an important part of Genoa’s history and fit well into a winter itinerary, especially for those looking for something more structured than a simple walk through the city.