Genoa: Walking Food Tour with Focaccia, Pesto & Palaces

Wander Genoa’s palaces, taste street food, and share stories in secret squares

You’ll walk Genoa’s winding streets with a local guide, taste fresh focaccia and homemade pesto trofie, explore grand palaces and hidden squares, then pause over wine with locals in old bars. Expect laughter, stories you won’t find in guidebooks, and moments that linger long after you’ve left.

What’s included

Your day covers everything: all tastings (including focaccia and pesto), lunch at a favorite restaurant with drinks throughout, entry fees to palaces and museums, aperitivo cocktails in old bars, plus all transport between stops—so you can just show up hungry and curious without worrying about extra costs.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Genoa's historic sites and views

• Visit 16th century palaces on Via Garibaldi
• Enjoy breathtaking view at Spianata Castelletto
• Tour the Royal Palace Museum
• See the Doge's Palace and learn Marco Polo story
• Walk through diverse street market area
• Visit Gothic Church and Templar Hospital

The Experience

You know that feeling when you step into a city and it just smells different? Genoa hit me with this mix of sea air and baking bread — focaccia, obviously. Our guide, Paolo (who seemed to know every alley cat by name), waved us down Via Garibaldi right off the bat. I’d seen photos of those palaces before but standing there, marble under my sneakers and sunlight bouncing off gold trim… it’s hard to describe. Paolo kept tossing out wild facts — apparently the bankers here basically ran Spain for centuries? I didn’t expect that.

We ducked into an osteria where the pesto was so green it looked fake. The owner insisted we try it on trofie pasta — “this is how my grandmother made it,” she said. I still think about that taste. There was a moment when someone tried to order coffee in Italian and got gently roasted by the bartender (all in good fun). The whole place smelled like basil and garlic and something sweet I couldn’t place. After lunch, we wandered through these tiny shops selling jeans — real jeans! Paolo swore denim started here before Levi’s ever got the idea.

The best part? Spianata Castelletto. Paolo wouldn’t let us peek until we reached the top; he just grinned like he had a secret. When we finally saw that view over Genoa — rooftops stacked like old books, ships bobbing below — everyone went quiet for a second. It was windy up there; my hair did its own thing. We finished with a glass of local wine in an old bar where the walls were covered in faded football posters and people played cards at 2pm on a Tuesday.

I left thinking about how many lives have passed through those alleys — crusaders at the Templar hospital, Marco Polo in prison (Paolo pointed out his cell), people from everywhere making this city their own. It wasn’t perfect or polished but somehow that made it better.

Top questions

Is lunch included on the Genoa walking food tour?

Yes, lunch at one of the best restaurants is included along with all drinks in bars and restaurants.

Does the tour include tasting focaccia and pesto?

Yes, you’ll taste real focaccia and pesto during the tour.

Are entry fees to attractions covered?

All fees and taxes are included in your booking.

Is transportation provided during the tour?

All necessary transport—trains, buses, lifts, cable-way—is included.

How physically demanding is this walking tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness; not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

Can children join this Genoa walking tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; infants can ride in prams or strollers.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour may be operated by a multi-lingual guide.

Are drinks included on this Genoa food tour?

Yes—all drinks in bars and restaurants are included as well as an aperitivo cocktail.