1 Night in Genoa: Italy Solo Travel

Visiting Renaissance history.

Ostello Bello Genova. Photo by Lonely Girl, Lonely World.

I visited Genoa as a solo traveller on October 19, 2023.

After my dance retreat at Orsolina28 in Moncalvo, Italy, I made my way to Genoa (English: Genova, both with emphasis on the “GEN”), capital of the Liguria region in the northwest. It was the first stop to my end goal of Positano, Amalfi Coast.

Italy’s countryside is amazingly spacious, so being thrust into Italian city life in Genoa was a shock.

First impressions: winding streets, careless drivers, and no respect for traffic lights. You kind of just GO. Of course, locals will have a better grip over these unspoken rules than a visitor still recovering from sickness. I’d unfortunately caught a cold as soon as I landed in Italy a few days prior, so the hustle and bustle (plus my rickety decades-old 29” suitcase) made for a rough introduction to this Renaissance city.

Fortunately, my curiosity won, and the next few hours were gentler to me. Since I had limited time, I decided to just walk out and follow my intuitions. Here are the highlights of my 1 night in Genoa.

*All photos by Lonely Girl, Lonely World unless otherwise stated.

Ostello Bello Genova

I booked myself into Ostello Bello Genova, a 5-minute walk from the Genova Piazza Principe train station. Ostello Bello is a popular hostel chain throughout Europe. Their Genova (Genoa) location ranks #2 out of 17 hostels in the area, according to TripAdvisor.

You do feel a bit like you’re in a fishbowl — long, winding hallways in navy blue with nautical designs — whimsical at best, claustrophobic at worst. Like the roads in Genoa, none of the buildings are structured with straightforwardness in mind.

The dorms are much brighter and more homey, with clean bathrooms. There’s also a bar, laundry room, and common area/kitchen with some essential ingredients for you to use (big bonus!). Otherwise, the hostel offers breakfast to buy in the mornings. The common area also features a reading corner and two private washrooms.

I sat here after my exploring to journal, and it was nice to hear the sound of sizzling oil with people eating around me. Solo travel makes you miss the daily tunes of home.

Via Balbi

Via Balbi, the street where Ostello Bello Genova is located, was built during the Renaissance between 1602-20 by the aristocratic Genoese Balbi family. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Via Balbi (Genoa) - Wikipedia).

Via Balbi is a steep section of road that connects the train station at the top to Piazza della Nunziata at the bottom, passing residential apartments and corner eateries along the way. It felt like stepping through time. Just imagine! You’re literally walking on ground that’s been around since the Renaissance. Pretty cool.

It’s also where I discovered the best poke bowl I’ve ever eaten in my life (see “Bar Fan” below).

Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato

I didn’t notice this basilica the first time I passed it. Genoa was already giving me so many historical vibes that a few massive pillars didn’t seem out of the ordinary.

On the way back, I caught a glimpse of the interior and, curiosity peaked, stepped in for a look. Entrance is free; there’s a donation box if you want to offer anything. The cathedral was nearly empty, but the design was astounding.

According to Google, it’s a Catholic cathedral featuring baroque architecture from early 17th century Italy (around the same time Via Balbi was built). Murals and statues line the walls. Its vaulted frescoed ceiling is so grand, it makes you instantly solemn.

Despite Genoa’s more run-down present-day look, the Basilica is a reminder of the Italian Renaissance in its heyday. There’s nothing that awes me more than the thought of those artists who crafted such masterpieces (with a duty to detail that seems to be lacking in modern architecture).

The Port

Genoa has a long maritime history, located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea. From the Basilica, I made my way down to the port. There are several tourist attractions here, including the Galata Museo del Mare (maritime museum). If I thought the traffic near Via Balbi was bad, the disorganized chaos of cars and tour buses here beat that by miles.

I only spent a few minutes by the water, the view of which was obstructed by construction and fences. Instead, I ventured down a narrow alleyway called Via del Campo nearby.

It turned out to be a sort of shopping street/residential district. Butcheries, barber shops, and fresh food stores lined the path. I sensed a real community here. This view alone taught me more about Genoese life than any guidebook.

Bar Fan - The Best Poke Bowl Ever

Seriously. I have a sensitive taste palette, and in another life I’m probably a connoisseur. I thought perhaps the food was made better by my hunger and craving for familiarity at the time, but I’m glad to be backed up on Google Reviews by this. The store currently has a rating of 4.8/5.

You build your own bowl from their ingredients list by checking them off on a pamphlet, language barrier begone. They also serve coffee, tea, and bubble tea.

It’s a very tight location with 2 floors. A family I’d seen earlier celebrating their daughter’s graduation bustled in to take over the first floor, so I carried my tray outside, which turned out to be a great opportunity to people-watch.

I’m not a fan of poke bowls usually, but now I realize I’ve just never had the good stuff.

The People

Genoa’s multicultural demographic surprised me, I think because I haven’t seen as much variety elsewhere in Italy so far. Genoa seems to have a huge Black population, with Middle Eastern, South Asian, and East Asian minorities also visible in a condensed area.

I didn’t have any interactions with people beyond buying my dinner and entering the hostel, so I’d like to go back one day and give the city the time it deserves.

That night, I went to bed early to catch my 6 AM train. One of my new friends from Orsolina28 texted to warn me of a train strike that day, but thankfully, mine was still running. Lesson learned: enough with nonrefundable tickets; you never know what’s going to happen.

Next stop: Naples.