I heard many times that the capital of Liguria is not safe… especially foreign people say so (!!!). What is more, some people even gave up to visit this city because they are afraid they would be robbed in Genoa (!!!). That’s why I decided to clear up the situation and explain how it really works in Genoa 🙂
At first, I answer the question:
Is Genoa dangerous? NO!
Genoa has more than 600.000 inhabitants and as every big city has its safe and less safe quarters.
My digression, I thought about the Bronx in New York. It is still a quite unsafe quarter of this city but I don’t think it is a reason to not to go and visit whole New York! The end of my digression 🙂
Let’s back to Genoa. It is true, that in this city you can find some places that are better to avoid. The place, that is considered less safe at all is quarter named Begato. It is a low-income housing quarter where live many immigrants. There are numerous, large blocks of flats … and that’s all … nothing that could attract a tourist that visit Genoa. It is also situated very far away from the old town of Genoa. That’s why I think Begato is not a problem for an average tourist in Genoa.
An average tourist can be interested in a city centre. Well … when you are in the old town you should pay attention to some places. The old town of Genoa (that is one of the biggest, medieval old towns in Europe) has some zones where you should be careful. They are via Pre’, via della Maddalena and via del Campo. I want to underline that during the day those streets are full of persons, Italians and tourists. What is more, I stroll there alone with my Nikon (that attracts attention) and I have never had problems before. Of course, you have to be careful, pay attention to your bags etc. … but it is important in every place in the world!
It is worth to see and photograph these streets cause they are very cool and authentic. However, when you go along them you will see the narrow, dark vicoli that join the main streets. You will see there prostitutes and drug dealers … Yes, yes, I know, it is not very comforting view but if don’t enter in these vicoli or start bothering them you can be sure that nothing wrong will happen to you.
The situation changes a little bit during the evening when you won’t meet many persons in vicoli. That’s why the rule is to stay where many persons stay because it means that this place is tranquil. I want to underline, that in the old town you will find many places that are very lively and are opened very long. The areas that are considered safe in an old town of Genoa are: via Luccoli, via San Lorenzo, via Garibaldi, via degli Orefici, via di Scurreria, via dei Giustiniani, Piazza Lavagna, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza Campetto, Piazza delle Vigne. That’s are zones located on the perimeters of the old town and normally they are quite crowded even during the evenings.
What is more, I’m telling you only about the medieval, old town of Genoa! The Genoas city centre is much more extended … so if you are going to stay a night in the newer part of Genoa you can be totally calm and stay outside until morning 😉
To sum up, if you want to be calm in Genoa you should:
- Use your reasonableness.
- Pay attention to your bags etc.
- Don’t enter in the narrow, isolated vicoli (even during the day) and during evenings in Via Prè, Via del Campo, Via della Maddalena.
- During evenings, if you stay in the old town, stay where the most people stay.
- AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, DON’T GET CRAZY ABOUT YOUR SECURITY 🙂 Genoa is a beautiful city that should be seen at least one time in your life! Enjoy it! 🙂
Thank you for this information, I am a mature woman who will be living in Genova for 6 months from June. I will attend Italian language school and have a couple of options re accommodation. I am very keen on one of them, it is in Via Napoli just near Instituto Magistrale Statale Piero Gobetti. Could you tell me if this is a good place to stay and go into Via Caffaro daily?
Hello Gabriella, it is a very nice and tranquil part of Genoa. Many of my friends live there. If you like the flat, book it tranquilly! Cheers Agata 🙂
Thank you
Is Piazza Superiore del Roso a safe place to stay? Especially at night
Thank you in advance.
Hi Liza!Piazza Superiore di Roso is close to via Balbi that is safe and tranquille also at night. However, to reach the Piazza you have pass though Vico Superiore di Roso that is a narrow, Medieval passege of the old town of Genoa… The hole zone is generally tranquille, however, the Piazza is at Genoa’s, Medieval, old town … so probably if I were you I would find another place. Just to feel myself more tranquille 😉 Cheers! Agata
Hello, is the piazza principe train station safe between 8pm and 10pm? Is there people?
Hi Markus, yes Piazza Principe is safe during the evenings. The most important Genoa railway station is located there so the zone is quite busy all the time.So no worries about Piazza Principe. The only places that I don’t recommend to see in the evenings are narrow streets in the medieval, old town of Genoa. The rest of Genoa is safe all night and day long 😉 Cheers, Agata
Hey! First of all, thank you for this article – some very useful pointers! I’m planning to come to Genova soon, but I was wondering, is Vico do Santa Fede considered safe? If not, could you recommend some hostels or hotels in safe areas? Many thanks!!
Hi Ale, well … Vico Santa Fede is situated in the heart of the medieval centre of Genoa. The zone is extremally picturesque and beautiful, however after the sunset and especially in this period, during the winter, the narrow streets of this part of the town can be completely desert and a little bit scary. If you stay at that hostel you should use always Via Balbi that is larger, with more pedestrians and not deserted as narrow vicoli of the medieval, old town of Genoa. As an alternative in a zone that is considered much safer I suggest you this hostel: https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/ostellin-genova-hostel-genoa.it.html?aid=1642885;label=Italian_Italy_IT_IT_47650926884-JJBJO%2AJrhMPIqE8byOnpggS219301755785%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg;sid=d71d4d4146eabcf2f63ac41fb5c1750b;dest_id=-118400;dest_type=city;dist=0;hapos=1;hpos=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;srepoch=1543217244;srfid=86f1e6548b0d2f328e2c9c2a3b23636951e23e86X1;srpvid=f660346d34b801c0;type=total;ucfs=1&#map_closed . In any case, Genoa is safe, the only problem of the zone of the medieval old town is that it is extremely extended with hundreds of narrow, dark streets (vicoli) that are very difficult for guarding by police. Relax and enjoy your stay in Genoa! I’m sure you’ll love it! Agata 😉
Thanks for the article! We are doing a family trip this Summer and will be spending one night in Genoa. What area or accommodations do you consider a best fit for a family with kids who line the water? Thanks
Definitely the zone of via XX Settembre (one of the main streets in the historical centre of Genoa). Other, nice districts are also Castelletto (for instance via Assarotti or Corso Firenze) or Albaro (Corso Italia) but you’ll need a car or at least a bus to move from there and reach the historical city centre (especially if the children are small). Cheers!
I’m a 58 yo Australian women who has spent 6 months in Genova & loved it! It’s no more dangerous than anywhere else. Loved it.
hello, I have to take a flixbus a sunday at 6pm in piazza principe bus station, is there circulation at this time?
Don’t worry 🙂 Piazza Principe is very busy till 8pm so you won’t be alone there 😉
I’m planning a visit for 2 days in April. I’ve found two hotels I’m interested in. One is located on Via Martin Piaggio 11 | Piazza Corvetto and the other is located Via Turati 2 (interno 10 – piano 5), Genoa Historical Centre. I was also considering staying near Via Giordano Bruno 14, Genoa close to the Boccadasse are. We are only staying 2 days in Genoa before we head to Cinque Terre for 3 days. Would love your advice. Thanks.
Hi Lisa! Via Piaggio is located in a very nice zone, however quite far away from the city centre. Piazza Corvetto is perfect, cause you are very close to all Genoa’s attractions and the zone is very tranquil; via Turati is also a nice choice – close to the attractions. Boccadasse is probably the most beautiful part of Genoa however it takes a little time to get to the city centre and you’d need to use a car or public transport to reach it. I wish you the good choices and fantastic stay in Genoa 😉 Agata
Hi…we are staying at an Apartment Owned by the menena hostel…right close to it (via de Maddalena ) should i be worried!
Hi Joan, if your flat is close to the Hostel, that means it is close to via Garibaldi and it is absolutely ok and calm during the day and the night. Enjoy!
Hi!! Than you for all your information.
I will be with my husband in Genoa a few days on August, and thinking about renting an apartment in Via Corso Sardegna and via On Luigi orione.
I would like to know if there are buses at night because on our last day we would like to take a bus on Genova Piazza Principe at 5 am.
I hope you can help us with your recommendation.
Best regards
Erika
Hi! Yes, in Corso Sardegna you’ll find buses also during the nite. You can check them here:https://www.amt.genova.it/amt/trasporto-multimodale/linee-bus/ Cheers. Agata
Hi Thanks for your all this information,
I’am a student from Turkey ,who will star MsC at Genova in September. if I’am not wrong my scholl(engineering faculty) close to Via Giorgio Byron.
Could you give any suggestion to me ?Where should I stay , where is the most student stays and hang out most of the time?And that areas you will tell to me considered safe ?
Finally as a student I wonder , what could you tell me about genoa nightlife, as my research it’s not very bustling.
Hi Emre, the zone of your faculty is the wealthiest and safest part of whole Genova. So if you find a falt there it will be perfect for you 🙂 And the students nightlife is concentrated in the historical centre of Genoa – especially Piazza delle Erbe which is full of students every evening 🙂 The historical centre and Albaro and San Martino (the zones where is your faculty) are connected very well with public transport -even during the night time. Cheers! Agata
Hi
I am a student girl here in Genova
I fund a cheap house in via lomellini
Is it safe
People tell me there is dangerous from immigrants
Hi Marjana, well via Lomellini is located exactly in the heart of the historical centre of Genoa … and yes that zone is not really very safe during evenings. During the day – no problem – it is full of people and tourists, however, when the shops and bars are closed it became deserted and it is easy to meet delinquents.
Hi Agata. We will be in Genova in August, and are looking at staying near to the brignole station. How is this area? Also, how about some good places to eat? Thank you
Hi Peter, the zone of Brignole is absolutely safe so you can be tranquil. Some nice places to eat: MOG, Rosmarino, Sà Pesta 🙂 Enjoy! A.
Hi
We are staying in Apr by the Vivo Giannini just off the piazza caricamento. How is this area?
Hi! Well … vico Giannini is a narrow street of the historical centre of Genoa and its zone is so and so …but the vicolo is quite short so you don’t have to walk too much through the streets of the historical centre. In any case, during the day you can be absolutely tranquil – during evenings, I recommend you not back at flat too late.
Hi I’m flying into Genoa around 6pm next week. I’m going to meet someone at Ente Bacini, Amico Ship yard, Molo Giano. Thought I’d catch a train to reasonably close then walk about 10 mins to the shipyard. Is this area safe?
Hi, that is an industrial part of the harbour so it is frequented during the day. During evenings it is quite isolated … so I don’t know when you have to go there … but when is dark outside I think it is better not go there.
Hi!
Is Genove Piazza Principe station open and safe to be at from 00:00 till about 05:00? If not where would you recommend to go at that time?
Hi! A police station is present on Piazza Principe railway station – so I’d say you can be tranquille to stay there during the night 🙂 The only thing is that it won’t be much confortable to stay there – only the place to sit down. Cheers! Agata
Hi – thank you for for the article; it was very helpful. We are visiting Genoa in the Spring of 2020 and will be staying in the area of the Piazza de Marini. What is this area like?
Hi! Piazza de Marini is close to Porto Antico and via S. Lorenzo that are both principal places in the historical centre in Genoa and I believe that you can be absolutely tranquil to stay there 🙂 Cheers! Agata
Thanks for the article! Is the area around Piazza Caricamento safe for women alone at night?
Hi Elisha, well Piazza Caricamento is a huge square, actually guarded by police 24h/24h. If you want to move in a late night … I would be careful anyway. Cheers! Agata
This was really helpful. Came to Genoa yesterday. Airbnb apartment was right in the middle of prostitutes and piazza maddalena. So the hosts can be misleading, they first say meet at the big fancy street. Upon arrival you will walk into the narrow side street for the actual apartment. There was like a whore in front of the door… So be very WARY!! https://abnb.me/0FLXYTAWGhb (apartment hosted by Cristina, Genoa)
I cancelled it and now living at the harbor side. Much better.
I’m glad that my article was helpful! And I hope you spent magnificent time in Genoa!
”They are via Pre’, via della Maddalena and via del Campo. I want to underline that during the day those streets are full of persons, Italians and tourists”
Via Pre’ had no Italians at all. Full of Africans and some Asians staring and screaming after us as we was trying to get out. This was during 13:00. I would say to all tourists to stay out of these areas. Specially if you are girls.
All true. Thank you for your comment!
Hello!
I’ll be doing Erasmus in Genoa in the next year and my student residence is in Vico Largo, and I saw that it was near Via di Prè. Would you think that Vico Largo is dangerous?
Thank you
Hello! Well, Vico Largo is close to Porto Antico that is ok. However, the whole zone, especially during evenings and nights is not so safe … unfortunately …
Hi! First of all, thanks for using your time to help us who are coming to Genoa!
My family (4 adults) is intending to spend Christmas time, December 24 and 25th, in Genoa. Is it a good idea? Which areas of the city you recommend us to stay? On the 24th there will be supermarkets and restaurants open? thanks again for your help!
Hi! The idea is very nice! 24th December all shops and activities are open … also 25th majority of restaurants are open and 26th again almost everything is open again. I recommend you to stay close to via XX Settembre – it’s central, safe and you will be close to the majority of attractions of the city!
Hi, i will be in Genova in August. My appartement is in Via Borgo degli Incrocianti. It seems to be a nice place near the Brignole Station.
Think it is gonna be a good base to make some trips around in Ligure.
Best regards
Hi!
It is very close to Brignole Station, however it is located on its back and inhabited principally by immigrants … anyway the zone is considered safe and tranquil!
I will be taking a Flixbus in June 2022 from Nice to Genoa. The bus arrives in Genoa, Via Fanti D’Italia bus station at about 22:45. Is it safe at that time of night to walk to a nearby hotel? Thanks in advance!
Hi, well it is close to Piazza Principe station and the historical centre … if your hotel is not located in the middle of the narrow streets of the historical centre – no problem 😉
Hello Agata,
Thank you for sharing your sharing your knowledge of Genoa.
Do you think the area around Giardini Luciano Melis where Villa Domenico Serra Via Cornigliano is nice and safe to stay since it’s near the airport?
Jonanthan Nguyen
Hi Jonanthan, the zone is OK and safe 🙂 but far away from the historical centre and all tourist attractions of Genoa … so well it is quite well connected with the city centre but you’ll have to move a lot 😉 Have a great time in Liguria! Cheers! Agata
Hi dear I will be visiting Genoa next week, I book at the Best Western Plus City Hotel located in Via San Sebastiano 6, 16123 Genoa, Italy
is it safe?? i am going with family and i am worried if its not safe cause we will be reaching around 10 PM
Kindly advise!!
Hi Sarah! It is absolutely safe and tranquil zone 🙂 Enjoy your holidays! Cheers!
Hi together,
I spent some weeks in Genova and i can say:
It is safe and all people sre friendly.
I was in Marassi and at the porto.
Best regards
Thank you very much for your comment Thomas!