It was amazing to wake up and see the MSC Splendida docked right in the center of Genoa, giving us a stunning view of the entire port. Unlike Marseille, we could easily walk from the ship to the main attractions, and within ten minutes, we found ourselves at the Porto Antico, the old port of Genoa.

Walking along the promenade, it was clear this was the place to be, especially on a Sunday with local families enjoying their day along the waterfront. We first passed the Maritime Museum, a modern glass structure that stood out against the traditional small boats moored in front of it. Further along, we encountered a pirate ship used in the filming of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” complete with a King Neptune figurehead. This part of the harbor, now a marina, was filled with beautiful yachts and surrounded by restaurants and museums.

Beyond the Porto Antico, the old town rose up on the hill with its church spires and tall terracotta houses, so we left the harbor and started climbing. We passed a few market stalls selling local produce, including Genoa’s famous pesto. The pedestrian road led us up towards an impressive church, though most of the old-fashioned shops, like the one selling ornate brass door knockers, were closed for Sunday.

After passing many old buildings, we reached Piazza di Ferrari, a large open square with grand buildings and a central fountain from 1936. On one side was the Palazzo Ducale, a 14th-century building that used to be the residence of the Doge of Genoa, now a public space with a café and exhibitions.

Lacking a decent map and unable to find any tourist information offices, we wandered through the narrow streets of the old town, with high buildings and narrow lanes often adorned with laundry hanging across. Our explorations led us to the Porta Soprana, marked by tall twin towers, which served as the gate of the old city walls. We stopped at a small café with a large Elvis statue outside, enjoying a lasagne with pesto, Genoa’s specialty.

After lunch, we walked through the old city gate, past a Romanesque cloister from a convent, to reach the Christopher Columbus House. This 18th-century replica stands where the explorer’s original home once did, before it was destroyed by French bombs in 1684.

We then headed back through Piazza de Ferrari and down a road lined with high-end shops like Gucci, though they were all closed, allowing us to window-shop without temptation. This led us to Via Garibaldi, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its impressive 16th-century palaces, built for the Genoese aristocracy. The mansions, collectively called Rolli, were listed on official scrolls as suitable residences for hosting visiting state dignitaries. This weekend was “Rolli Day,” so all the palazzos were open to the public for free. We visited Palazzo Nicolosio Lomellino and explored its beautiful Renaissance garden hidden from Via Garibaldi, complete with lawns, a central fountain, classical busts, and orange trees. At the end was a statue and fountain, and we were given a special view from an upper level, overlooking the garden and a Moorish-style tower.

Our guide explained that the neighboring palazzos once had similar gardens that were destroyed for a new road, but the mayor, living in Palazzo Lomellino, rerouted the road to preserve his garden. We concluded our visit by admiring the impressive frescos by Bernado Strozzi in the public rooms.

Continuing down Via Garibaldi, we passed other tall palazzos, many now museums. We stopped for a delicious ice cream at Profumo di Rosa, trying the Rolli flavor, a creation based on a 16th-century recipe in honor of Rolli Open Day.

As it was time to rejoin the ship, we walked back towards the port to the MSC Splendida. Tomorrow we arrive in Naples at lunchtime and look forward to our excursion to Pompeii.

Various excursions were available in Genoa, including a 3.5-hour tour of the historic center for £32 per adult, a family-friendly ferry transfer to the Aquarium for £32 per adult, and a 4.5-hour trip to Portofino for £48 per adult.