Tours/Genoa/2 Hours Private Historical Tour in Genoa
Viator · Private tour

2 Hours Private Historical Tour in Genoa

4.8(261)Genoa1 hour
VIATOR4.8(177)TRIPADVISOR4.8(84)

Description

This great tour will show the essence of Genova, that mean the monumental parts in contrast with the most hidden and mysterious alleys. During the first hour you will discover the Maddalena district, fascinating and made by really little alleys and narrow streets; during the second one the driver will bring you to know also the other half of the historical center, placed on the other side of San Lorenzo Street : The itinerary will include the visit to Porta Soprana, Via Ravecca , Piazza Sarzano, Luzzati Gardens, Stradone Sant'Agostino, Via san Bernardo and culminate with the arrival in the beautiful and inaccessible church of Santi Cosma e Damiano, protectors of surgeons and barbers. Petrarca has called Genoa "La Superba", we are sure that after the tour you will do it too! The rikshaw can host on board up to a maximum of two adults and two children under the age of 6.

Tour Options

Rickschaw (Maximum 2 adults)
  • Duration: 2 hours Electric Rickshaw Pickup included

Itinerary

15 min

Sarzano Square is located in the area that is said to be Genoa’s or rather “Ianua”‘s original nucleus. Here you may take a look at the bell tower of Sant' Agostino church and at the small temple. On the background there is the colorfull Ravecca street.

5 min

Santi Cosma e Damiano church is just one of the beautiful places in the medioeval historic center that guests will be able to see! We don't want to anticipate you too much, it will be a surprise!

15 min

Dive into history in a place where time seems to stand still, between majestic palaces and luxurious gardens, Via Garibaldi, with its architectural wealth and imposing buildings, is one of the main streets of Genoa and one of the largest in the historic centre. Originally Strada Maggiore, then Strada Nuova but known until the nineteenth century as Via Aurea (the Golden Street). In 1882 it was renamed in honour of Giuseppe Garibaldi.

10 min

The so-called Columbus' House is located not far from the gate of Porta Soprana, just outside the medieval walls. It is probably an 18th century reconstruction of the original medieval building, where the discoverer of the Americas spent his youth. The house was likely destroyed during the bombing by the French fleet of King Louis XIV that hit Genoa in 1684. The building has two floors: the ground floor was used as a workshop by his father, Domenico Columbus, who dealt in wool weaving and trade; the home of the family was upstairs. According to written sources, the navigator must have lived here between 1455 and 1470.

15 min

Located just off one of the most important docks in the city, this was once the site of Genoa’s old grain market, and was known as piazza "dei banchi" in the 12th century due to the money-changers' stalls located under the porticoes of the various buildings.

15 min

The most important church in Genoa is the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo. The Genoese cathedral and the artistic representations on its walls gave rise to many legends and curiosities. Thanks to the relocation of the cathedral and the construction of the walls, the area of San Lorenzo became the heart of the city, which grew and changed: in a city without squares, the parvis of San lorenzo offered a fundamental stage for the social and political life during the Middle Ages.

10 min

Giardini Luzzati is just one of the beautiful places in the medioeval historic center that guests will be able to see. We don't want to anticipate you too much, it will be a surprise!

10 min

Genoa's main square, a meeting and gathering place for important city events, is dedicated to Raffaele De Ferrari, the Duke of Galliera, a generous benefactor who donated a considerable sum of money in 1875 towards projects to expand the port. In the centre is a monumental bronze fountain, crafted by the architect Cesare Crosa of Vergagni in 1936. The Teatro Carlo Felice and the building of the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti (Ligurian Academy of Fine Arts) that look onto the square were both designed by Carlo Barabino. Piazza De Ferrari is also bordered by the side façade of Palazzo Ducale (the main entrance of which is on the adjacent Piazza Matteotti), Palazzo della Regione Liguria (the offices of the Liguria region, built in 1920), and Palazzo della Nuova Borsa (the new stock exchange), one of the finest examples of Genoese Art Nouveau (1912).

10 min

Palazzo San Giorgio is just one of the beautiful palaces in the medioeval historic center that guests will be able to see.

15 min

The Old Port of Genoa, where a charming waterfront plaza, the work of famous Genoese architect Renzo Piano, offers tourists and Genoese alike a wealth of opportunities to experience cultural and recreational events and activities, enjoy splendid panoramic views of the city and its harbour, and visit some of Genoa’s best-known attractions.

Highlights

Private transportation

What's included

Included
Private transportation

Pickup Locations & Times

Guests will find the driver in the square in front of the terminal exit.

Traveller Ratings

4.8
261 reviews
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Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(261)

G
Guide29580882980
June 25, 2026
Wonderful experience.

Both Eleonora and Federica were very good guides, we loved the experience and the explanations, highly recommended!

D
deadmane
June 25, 2026
Unforgettable.

Both Eleonora and Federica were amazing, the best experience of our trip, I recommend it to everyone, an unforgettable experience.

T
TwoOldTravelers
May 28, 2026
Great tour

Lenora was our guide, and she is terrific! She is from Genoa and is very knowledgeable and proud of her city. She takes you to places other, bigger tours cannot go. See the historical city and the new city as one. The churches, building facades, and personal palaces are simply remarkable. Her tour was the highlight of our visit to Genoa!

D
Daniel_F
May 21, 2026
Excellent Tour

Excellent tour. Well worth the time. Great way to see old city. Rafaela and Fernanda were great. Very knowledgeable and excited to talk about this great city.

E
ellen_d
May 20, 2026
Take this tour! Fun. Informative. Easy.

Elenora provided a lively and interactive tour of Genoa. We would never have seen so much, so efficiently, so conveniently in any other tour. Maybe the best overview tour (with lots of details told in story fashion) that we have enjoyed throughout a world of travel.

S
Sunshine663536
May 3, 2026
Best Rickshaw driver ever!!

Had a wonderful time!! He was absolutely fabulous!! I wish I could remember his name other than it began with Ga! Ugh!! But he was so wonderful to my mother and I and explained every question we asked!!

G
Gwendolyn_T
April 30, 2026
Rickshaw for old ladies.

We loved this 2 hour rickshaw tour. Our guide was FERNANDA and she was from Mexico but spoke 5 languages. She was very knowledgeable about history and sites but also stopped at a few extra places we requested. I’m 74 so this allowed me to see the old town without walking uphill and getting lost.

I
Ian_C
April 26, 2026
This is the only...

This is the only efficient way to see the finer details of the old city. The rickshaw is the only vehicle capable of passing thru the narrow pathways of the old city. It also gets around the old port efficiently among the pedestrian traffic

T
Thomas_K
April 19, 2026
Great way to see more of...

Great way to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time. Our guide, Eduardo was very knowledgeable. He asked what we wanted to see so he could ensure it was covered in the tour.

G
Graeme_D
April 8, 2026
Very very good - 10/10

Very very good - 10/10. Our guide Maria communicated with us about the meetup and was there early for us. This is a great way to see Genoa

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