Genoa

Genoa is Italy's largest port city, a coastal metropolis where medieval layers sit beside modern life. The city climbs sharply from the Ligurian Sea, its ochre and terracotta buildings stacking up the hillsides. The historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a maze of narrow caruggi (alleys) left over from Genoa's centuries as one of Europe's dominant maritime republics. The port area has been redeveloped into a mix of old landmarks and newer attractions, all walkable from the cruise terminal. From the harbour, it's a short walk to the Palazzo Ducale and the cluster of Renaissance palaces along Via Garibaldi. The covered Mercato Orientale sells fresh pesto ingredients, focaccia, and fried seafood cones you can eat standing up. Trams and the city's tiny funiculars connect the waterfront to the hilltop neighbourhoods, where the views over the port are worth the ride.