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Exploring Genoa by Hire Car

Genoa, the capital of Liguria, is an exciting destination and one of the most important port cities in Italy.

The old town, with its magnificent baroque buildings and noteworthy houses from the Renaissance period, never fails to entice visitors to stroll in wonder.

Excellent restaurants and vibrant bars await guests, catering to them at their best. There are also many charming towns in the surrounding countryside, which can be easily reached by hire car.

For rental and travel, we’ve put together a few tips.

Taking over the hire car

You will find numerous hire car agencies at Genoa airport. Just follow the signs or inquire at the information desk. Before you book your car, just make sure that your rental company also has its office at the airport. If it is only located near the terminal, you may have to wait a long time for a shuttle to take you to your hire car.

Booking the right hire car

In Genoa the traffic is raging, parking spaces are scarce. So you’d better book a small car that will allow you to get everywhere and easily find a parking space.

Hire car prices

Hire car prices in Genoa tend to be in the mid-range. You can often get particularly good deals by booking well in advance of your trip and using our handy price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Genoa

Insuring the car properly

Since an accident can easily happen in the turbulent city traffic of Genoa with an unfamiliar hire car, you should book a car with comprehensive insurance without excess. With liability insurance, it is important to pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros.

Because if people are injured in an accident, it gets really expensive very quickly. If the sum insured of your rental company does not seem to be sufficient, you have the possibility to take out a so-called Majorca policy for further protection. Your insurance agent will be happy to advise you.

age limit

You must be at least 19 years old and have held a valid driver’s license for one year to hire car from most rental companies. And many charge drivers under 25 an additional fee. Check your provider’s terms and conditions before booking your hire car.

Accessories

If you need accessories such as a navigation device or a child seat, you must always order the desired items separately from your hire car company. Make your reservation well in advance so that your equipment is not out of stock on the day of the rental.

Language barrier

Don’t count on all the staff at the rental station speaking impeccable English. It’s better to make a note of the phone number of your hire car company’s Italian head office before you go, so you can ask them for translation help if you need it.

Free kilometers

The area around Genoa is so beautiful and diverse that you should definitely book a car with free kilometres to explore it all.

Tank control

Look for a rental company where you pick up the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank. Then you do not have to fear discussions about the correct filling level of the tank when returning the car.

Keep your last fuel receipt safe to be able to prove that you did indeed fill up the tank for the last time just before you got to the rental station.

Bail

Make sure you book with a hire car company that only blocks the deposit on your credit card. This is because customers often have to wait a long time for the money to be returned when the deposit has actually been charged to the credit card.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Although most customers are satisfied with hire car in Genoa, some do find fault with the exterior condition of the vehicles. Always get written confirmation of any damage, such as dents or scratches, and keep the document safe. This is the only way to avoid being held responsible for damage that you did not cause when you return the vehicle.

Safety hire car

Most cars in Genoa are perfectly roadworthy. For your own safety, however, you should still check that all of your vehicle’s lights are working before your first drive. Also check that the first-aid kit, high-visibility vests and warning triangle are on board. And do a quick brake test in the rental company’s parking lot.

Sights in Genoa

Piazza de Ferrari: Magnificent Palaces
An ideal point to start a city stroll is Piazza de Ferrari. It is framed by magnificent buildings from the Art Nouveau and Neoclassical periods, including the Palazzo della Borsa, the Palazzo Ducale, the Teatro Carlo Felice and the Museo dell’Academia Ligustica di Belle Arti. You should pay a little attention to the museum. An interesting art collection is presented here, with works from the 14th to the 20th century.

Cattedrale di San Lorenzo: Spectacular Nave
Next stop on your city stroll could be the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo. Construction began around 1100, but it would take until the end of the 15th century for the cathedral to be completed. Then, in the 16th century, two towers and the dome were added.

The magnificent black and white marble facade alone takes the visitor’s breath away. Then inside, a richly decorated nave awaits with a magnificent ceiling painting of the Last Judgement and colourful stained glass windows that bathe the space in an enchanting light.

Musei di Strada Nuova: Old Masters
You can discover another interesting exhibition at the Musei di Strada Nuova. The Musei were created from three merged palazzi and display a variety of old master paintings.

Old Town: Twisting alleys
Take the time to get lost in the maze of alleys in the old town. There are enchanted backyards, hidden shops and small bars to discover everywhere, where you will rarely find a tourist. After dark, however, it’s best to avoid the area west of Via San Luca.

The local red-light district is always making negative headlines and has been linked to drug trafficking. A visit to the old harbour, on the other hand, could round off the city stroll perfectly. It was completely restored in 2004 and offers a lot of maritime flair.

Find a good restaurant

In Italy, Ligurian cuisine is famous and Genoa has no shortage of good restaurants. We recommend the restaurant Enoteca Sola. Here, specialties of the city are prepared to perfection. If stockfish is on the daily menu, you should go for it. And wine lovers will also be happy in this rustic restaurant. Just let the competent staff advise you.

Find a good hotel

Genoa a port city rich in tradition with many hotels of all classes. Book a room at the Hotel Bristol Palace and enjoy the charm of the Belle Epoque.

Find a worthwhile destination in the area

Camogli: Charming fishing village
After the city bustle of Genoa, you may feel the need to steer the hire car to a more tranquil destination. Drive to Camogli. The 36 kilometres will take you a good half hour. In this fishing village of around 6,000 inhabitants, you can stroll through narrow streets at your leisure and admire the magnificent murals with which the houses are decorated. By the way, the translation of the place name “Camogli” means “house of the wives”. It dates back to the time when husbands spent days at sea and left the town to the wives.

After your stroll, you can sit down in a nice bar, order a cool drink and plan which destination around Genoa you want to head to next with your hire car.

Suggestion for a trip by hire car

Noli: Charming old town
A pleasantly quiet town awaits you if you first steer the hire car to Noli. In about an hour you will be there. In Noli, you can first stroll through the alleys of the well-preserved old town and then enjoy extensive sunbathing on the extensive sandy beach.

Finale Ligure: German is spoken
You will encounter numerous German holidaymakers if you continue by car in a quarter of an hour to Finale Ligure. Year after year, many spend the most beautiful time of the year in this place and enjoy the fact that they can enjoy German filter coffee in a genuine Italian ambience.

Albenga: Medieval town centre
Not as spruced up as many other towns on the coast, Albenga presents it, the last stop on your trip. By hire car, you can be there in half an hour. In Albenga you can stroll through the medieval alleys of the old town, stock up on souvenirs in one of the original shops and, to round off your visit, take a look at the cathedral with its mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The return journey to Genoa will take you a good hour. There you can review the events of your trip.

Conclusion

The vibrant Genoa is ideally suited as a starting point for a trip with a hire car. There is plenty to experience in the city and the surrounding countryside is also worth exploring. With a hire car, all destinations are easily accessible. And with our practical price comparison you will always find a good car at a reasonable price

Hire car Genoa