- Milan
- Turin
- Cinque Terre
- San Remo
- Pisa
- Lucca
- Lake Como
- Parma
- Bologna
- Verona
1. Milan
Start your day trip from Genoa to Milan at the iconic Duomo and adjacent Vittorio Emanuele II shopping galleries. Then visit magnificent Sforzesco Castle, exploring its impressive art collections and expansive gardens. See Leonardo da Vinci's “The Last Supper” at Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Or take a tour of San Siro Stadium – home to both A.C. and Inter Milan, this is a must for visiting football fans.
Getting there – the train journey from Genoa to Milan takes only 1h 34m on Intercity trains operated by Trenitalia. There are around 24 trains a day, leaving from Genova Piazza Principe station and arriving at Milan Central station.
2. Turin
Turin's Egyptian Museum, founded in 1824, is world-renowned. So is the National Cinema Museum, housed inside the grand 19th-century Mole Antonelliana. Buy some picnic supplies at Porta Palazzo Market, Europe's largest open-air market, and relax at beautiful Parco del Valentino. Visit the impressive complex comprising Turin Cathedral, the Royal Palace of Turin, and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, where the famed Shroud of Turin is kept.
Getting there – Frecciabianca trains from Genoa to Turin take 1h 41m. They arrive at Torino Porta Nuova station, a 15-minute walk from the Royal Palace or Parco del Valentino.
3. Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre comprises five quintessential, colourful coastal villages built on dramatic rocky cliffsides. You can easily visit all five towns – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore – in one day, or just focus on one or two. Spend some time soaking up the atmosphere and charms of each town. Go for a swim at the beach. Enjoy a waterfront meal of fresh Ligurian seafood. Or visit historical sites like Doria Castle, the Church of San Giovanni Battista, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Soviore.
Getting there – For day trips from Genoa to the Cinque Terre, take the Intercity train from Genoa to Levanto and pick up the Cinque Terre Express, which runs between Levanto and La Spezia and stops at all five Cinque Terre villages along the way. Trains run every 15 minutes, dropping you right in the heart of each town.
4. San Remo
San Remo offers the idyllic Italian Riviera escape from Genoa. Spend your day sunbathing and swimming at one of San Remo's public beach areas, such as Morgana, Italo Calvino, La Brezza, or visit San Remo's unique historical sites. See Nobel Prize founder Alfred Nobel's villa or escape to the hillside Santuario della Madonna della Costa for superb sea views.
Getting there – Genoa to San Remo takes as little as two hours on direct Trenitalia regional services. There are 17 trains a day on average, starting from 05:22 and returning from San Remo to Genoa until 21:36.
5. Pisa
Visit the iconic Leaning Tower and its striped-marble cathedral. These occupy Pisa's so-called Piazza dei Miracoli (‘Square of Miracles’) alongside the Pisa Baptistery, famous for its acoustics, the Sinopie Museum, and a grandiose cemetery reserved for the most famous Pisans. Cool off at the nearby Botanical Gardens, then stroll the banks of the Arno river, window shop down pedestrianised Corso Italia, and duck inside the pocket-sized Santa Maria della Spina church.
Getting there – Genoa to Pisa is about two hours by direct Frecciabianca train. It arrives into Pisa Centrale station, across the river from the Square of Miracles and the old town centre.
6. Lucca
Lucca is the archetypal Tuscan town – wine, olive oil, and old city walls are abundant here. Take a walk past the imposing ramparts dotted around Lucca's remarkably intact Renaissance-era walls. Then descend to explore the town's labyrinthine old town alleyways. Visit the boyhood home and museum of Giacomo Puccini, the great opera composer, and climb the clockface medieval Torre delle Ore for amazing panoramic views across the Tuscan countryside.
Getting there – Genoa to Lucca is 2h 4m by train – you need to change at Viareggio station onto a regional service through the Tuscan hills to Lucca. Lucca's railway station is at the southern edge of the walled city.
7. Lake Como
Italy's lake district is within reach for day trips from Genoa. You'll be on the shores of Lake Como within a few hours. Rub shoulders with Hollywood celebrities. Take the ferry to superb swimming and sunbathing spots. Visit Como's historic lakeside towns, or shoot up the funicular railway for breathtaking views over the entire region.
Getting there – Como San Giovanni station is Lake Como's main intercity railway station. It's located in the city of Como, within a 10-minute walk to the ferry terminal, waterfront promenade, and Como Cathedral. Genoa to Como trips can take less than three hours via Milan on Frecciarossa trains, climbing up from Milan through the Lombardy countryside. If you travel in Frecciarossa Premium, Business or Executive Class, a welcome service will be brought to your seat shortly after departure, including a wide selection of sweet or savoury snacks and 9 hot and cold drinks.
8. Parma
Parma gave the world Parmesan cheese and Parma ham. Can you really ask for much more from this charming Emilia-Romagna city than a day of tastings and tours about these famous products? Stroll the beautiful 7,500-acre Regional Taro River Park on the edge of town. Visit the unique typography museum dedicated to local boy Giambattista Bodoni, or wander between the gorgeous Palazzo della Pilotta, Piazza Duomo, and San Giovanni Evangelista church in the old town.
Getting there – The train journey from Genoa to Parma takes about three hours with Trenitalia regional trains – as there’s no direct train, you’ll need to change at either Milan or La Spezia.
9. Bologna
The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest in the world. Be sure to visit some of its magnificent buildings, including the ornate Archiginnasio, the 1364-vintage Spanish College, and the fascinating old Anatomical Theatre. Watch some street performers and grab a bite around Piazza Maggiore. Remember – Bologna is famous for pasta. Head up to the hilltop Santuario della Madonna di San Luca for fantastic views over the city.
Getting there – The fastest journey time from Genoa to Bologna is 2h 43m. You’ll need to change in Milan, where you can hop on a high-speed Frecciarossa train bound for Bologna.
10. Verona
You can visit Juliet's tomb, Romeo's house, and their famous balcony, but Verona offers a lot more than Shakespearean landmarks. There's the magnificent Roman ampitheatre, the ancient Porta dei Borsari city gate, the Verona Cathedral with frescoes by Titian, and magnificent views from the medieval Lamberti Tower – to name a few. And don't miss the delicious food stalls around Osteria Sottocosta.
Getting there – Genoa to Verona takes about three via Milano Centrale, with the first trains running from 05:40. The Frecciarossa leg between Milan and Verona, skirting the northern Italian lake district, offers spectacular views.
Ready to start planning your own day trips from Genoa? Check out our Trains in Italy page for all the information you need!