Catherine - Savvy Family TravelThe Best Day Trips from Genoa, Italy
I didn’t expect to fall for Genoa as hard as I did—the tangled caruggi alleyways and the gritty-but-beautiful architecture was captivating.
But what really sealed the deal was how easy it was to hop around the Ligurian coast, explore charming villages, or take a train inland to some of Italy’s best cities.
One moment you’re watching scooters zip by, and an hour later, you’re standing on a quiet beach with gelato in hand, surrounded on three sides by pastel-colored houses.
Here are 10 favorite day trips from Genoa, including what to do, how to get there, and an idea or two for families traveling with kids.
Day Trips from Genoa, Italy: Under 1 Hour Away
Nervi (15 minites)
How to get there: The train from Genoa Brignole takes just 15 minutes. Or, the bus takes about 30. From Nervi station, it’s a short walk to the promenade and parks.
It’s super easy to get to, but it’s rarely crowded, which makes it one of my favorite low-key escapes when you don’t want to commit to a full-day adventure. (Ideal for traveling with kids.)
The town is exactly what you would picture of a seaside Italian village with a small beach, colorful houses, and the smell of fish in the air.
Top things to do:
- Walk the Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi, a cliffside promenade that hugs the coast for about 2 km. The sound of waves, the scent of salt, and the occasional art installation make it my favorite thing to do.
- Visit the GAM – Galleria d’Arte Moderna, especially if you’re into Italian 19th–20th century art.
- With kids: Stroll through the Parchi di Nervi—a huge green park dotted with palm trees, fountains, art installations, a playground, and free-roaming ducks.
Boccadasse (20 minutes)
How to get there: You can take bus #31 from Brignole Station (about 20 mins), or, just walk along the Corso Italia waterfront—it’s about 45 minutes and a pretty flat, scenic stroll. You can take the train back.
Boccadasse is technically still Genoa, but it feels secluded.
Top things to do:
- Grab a cone from Gelateria Amedeo and sit on the rocks to enjoy it.
- Walk up to the little church, Chiesa di Sant’Antonio, for great views of the cove.
- Wander the tiny streets and pop into the art galleries and boutiques.
With kids: Bring a bucket and let them toss pebbles into the water or search for tiny sea creatures in the tide pools.
Camogli (35 minutes)
How to get there: Trains from Genoa Brignole take 30–40 minutes. Once you get off at Camogli station, the town is literally right there.
Camogli might have been my favorite. It’s got this easygoing fishing village vibe, but it’s not too sleepy. The beach is bigger than Portofino’s, the food is cheaper, and the views stunning.
Top things to do:
- Stroll along the waterfront promenade and watch the boats bob around.
- Try the focaccia di Recco.
- Visit the Dragonara Castle.
With kids: There’s a small playground near the beach, and the shallow shoreline is great for wading. If your kids are into boats, they’ll love watching the little ferries come and go.
Santa Margherita Ligure (35 minutes)
How to get there: Train from Genoa Brignole takes about 35 minutes. Everything’s walkable once you’re there.
Santa Margherita feels like someone mixed a Riviera resort with a real town people actually live in. It has palm trees, grand old hotels, and just the right level of buzz. You can hit it on the way to or from Portofino, or spend the whole day here.
Top things to do:
- Wander through Villa Durazzo and its gardens—free to enter and great views over the bay.
With kids:
- Sip an Aperol spritz in Piazza Caprera while kids chase pigeons.
- Check out the waterfront playground near the marina.
- Bring a few Euros and grab a seat at the old-school carousel by the beach. Pure Italian nostalgia.
Portofino (1 hour)
How to get there: Take the train to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino station (35 mins), then catch the #82 bus (15 mins), a ferry (about 30 mins), or hike in (1.5–2 hours but beautiful).
Portofino is one of those places that people either rave about or roll their eyes at. I get it. It’s expensive—but it’s also insanely pretty. Mega yachts bobbing beside fishing boats, lush green hills wrapping around a crescent-shaped harbor, and narrow lanes filled with gelato shops and very small dogs in sweaters.
Top things to do:
- Hike up to Castello Brown for killer views of the bay.
- Visit Chiesa di San Giorgio and peek down at the water from the cemetery.
- Splurge on an overpriced coffee by the harbor because the people-watching is worth every euro.
With kids: Hike the short trail to Paraggi Beach—a sandy cove with calm, shallow water perfect for wading.
Day Trips from Genoa, Italy: Under 2 Hours Away
Sestri Levante (1 hour 10 minutes)
How to get there: A direct train from Genoa takes about 1 hour. From the station, it’s a short 10-minute walk to the old town and the beach.
Sestri Levante doesn’t get as much attention as Cinque Terre, which works in your favor. It’s home to Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence)—a dreamlike stretch of sand framed by colorful buildings and fishing boats.
Top things to do:
- Swim or paddle in Bay of Silence, especially early in the morning before it gets crowded.
- Walk to Bay of Fables (on the other side of town) and watch local families gather for sunset.
- Stop at a pasticceria and stock up on almond cookies for the train ride back.
With kids: Bring a sand bucket. The water is calm, and there’s plenty of space to dig, splash, and run wild. Bonus: there’s gelato everywhere.
San Fruttuoso (1 hour 30 minutes)
How to get there: Ferries leave from Camogli, Santa Margherita, or Portofino (check schedules; 30–45 mins).
It’s this little cove that’s only reachable by boat or trail, with an ancient abbey right on the water and a tiny beach.
Top things to do:
- Explore the Abbazia di San Fruttuoso.
- Swim in the clear water or snorkel around the submerged Christ of the Abyss statue.
With kids: Chill on the beach and watch the boats come and go. Bring water shoes.
Cinque Terre (1 hour 30 minutes)
How to get there: Take a regional train from Genoa to La Spezia (about 1.5 hours), then transfer to the Cinque Terre local line that stops at all five villages. The Cinque Terre Train Card gives you unlimited rides for the day.
It’s ambitious, but if you feel like this is the closest you’ll get to Cinque Terre in a while, you can do it in a day if you start early.
I’d recommend focusing on two or maybe three Cinque Terre villages max—any more and it turns into a stressful train marathon. Check out our Cinque Terre post to help choose the best Cinque Terre day trips from Genoa.
Top things to do:
- Start in Vernazza for the postcard-perfect harbor and a quick hike up to the castle.
- Head to Manarola next for lunch and those famous cliffside views.
- With kids: Monterosso is the best bet—it’s the most stroller-friendly, there’s a sandy beach, and lots of gelato. Keep the village-hopping minimal.
Milan (1 hour 30 minutes)
How to get there: The fast train (Frecciarossa or Italo) takes about 1.5 hours. Regional trains are cheaper but slower (2–2.5 hours).
Milan is shiny and stylish, but it’s not all fashion and finance. There’s a surprising amount to see in a day, especially if you’re into art, architecture, or aperitivo.
Top things to do:
- Climb (or elevator) to the roof of the Duomo for views that are totally worth it.
- Visit Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and feel extremely underdressed.
- See The Last Supper (but book way in advance—like, before you even book your flights).
With kids: There’s a Leonardo da Vinci science museum with hands-on exhibits that’ll keep them busy for hours. And yes, the Duomo rooftop is surprisingly kid-friendly (as long as they’re not afraid of heights and can do stairs on their own).
Pisa (1 hour 45 minutes)
How to get there: Day trips from Genoa to Pisa are about 1.5 to 2 hours by train. I’m including Pisa because I know the tower is a bucket list landmark for many.
Personally, I think its a long journey for what it is, but absolutely worth a detour to Pisa if you’re heading to Florence/Rome/Naples next.
Pisa gets a lot of “just stop for an hour” energy, but if you slow down a little, there’s more here than the tower.
Top things to do:
- Visit the Campo dei Miracoli complex—leaning tower, cathedral, baptistery, and cemetery.
- Walk along the Arno River and peek into some of the quieter side streets.
- Stop for lunch at a no-frills trattoria—Pisa has some surprisingly affordable eats.
With kids: Climbing the tower is age-restricted (minimum 8 years), but even little kids love seeing it “almost fall over.” There’s lots of lawn space around for letting off steam.
How Many Day Trips from Genoa, Italy Should I Take?
If you’re in Genoa for 4 days, pick one big trip (like Cinque Terre or Milan) and one of the shorter, coastal escapes like Camogli or Nervi. If you’re lucky enough to stay longer, you could take day trips from Genoa almost every day.
If you have other Italian cities on your list, consider checking some of these off en route to your next base. It worked well for us to do Genoa > Cinque Terre (2 nights) > Pisa (quick stop) > Florence.
Oh, and one last tip for families: Pack snacks. The little station bars rarely stock anything your kids will actually eat, and hangry tantrums don’t care how scenic the coastline is.
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