Carruggi are the typical part of Genova, a place that is alive both during the day and at night. In fact, the nightlife takes place mainly on the street. Genoese people usually drink in a square or while they’re walking among the carruggi. Bars are just a crossing point where people buy a cocktail that will be drunk on the street or in a square, in the open air.

Moreover, Genova is also one of the cities that contributed to the diffusion of aperitivo, which most of the time is drunk in the open air in a square.

In this article, you will find a guide on what to do in Genova at night, with a list of the best zones where you can find bars and restaurants.

The historical center of Genova

Most of the bars are in the historical center, especially in the main squares or carruggi. The historical center is full of people and bars, where you can have a good aperitivo or drink fine Ligurian wine, while eating the delicious food of this region.

Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza delle Erbe is one of the main squares in the city, near Piazza De Ferrari and not far from Palazzo Ducale. During World War II, it was so damaged that they had to build most of it again when the war ended. But, after the restoration, the square became one of the main places for Genoese nightlife, attracting many young people thanks to its trendy bars. They offer aperitivo, cocktail, and live music, so you can have a nice night in the company of your friends.

Piazza Lavagna

Piazza Lavagna is another meeting place for Genoese people, but, in contrast to Piazza delle Erbe, here you can find more adults and fewer young people. For this reason, the atmosphere is calmer and you can have a glass of wine and focaccia with your friends in complete tranquillity. Moreover, Piazza Lavagna is also one of the most suggestive places in Genova, thanks to its huge space in comparison to the narrow streets of the historical center.

Piazza De Ferrari and Palazzo Ducale

The area around Piazza De Ferrari and the one around Palazzo Ducale are also popular, not only during the day but also at night. As a result, here you can find elegant places, such as classy wine bars that offer fine Ligurian wines, served with typical local products.

In those zones, there are also many lounge bars and gourmet restaurants, where you can taste the Ligurian traditional cuisine with a more modern touch.

The old harbor

The area of the old harbor is one of the most fascinating and suggestive places in the city, both during the day and at night. Especially in summer, this area and Corso Italia come alive thanks to the many bars that offer a DJ set or organize events, with the magnificent harbor in the background.

Boccadasse and Nervi

During the summer season, most of the people go for a walk on the seafront Corso Italia, which stretches on until Boccadasse and Nervi. It’s where the famous songwriter Fabrizio De André wrote his famous song La canzone di Marinella. When you arrive in Boccadasse, with its pastel-colored houses on the sea, the view will enchant you as it will be the background for your night out. Moreover, on the way to Boccadasse and Nervi, you will come across many bars and restaurants, where you can have aperitivo by the sea at sunset, or a drink while listening to live music, mostly rock or jazz.

Brief information about Genova

Genova is the capital city of Liguria, as well as one of the most important cities in Italian history. It used to be a Maritime Republic, and its historical center is famous for its network of little streets, called carruggi. Those streets end in big squares with magnificent architecture. Genova is also the city with the biggest aquarium in Europe, which symbolizes its strong connection with the sea.

Moreover, the Ligurian culinary tradition is one of the best in Italy, as it boasts of delicious food such as pesto and focaccia.

Our homes in Liguria
Our experiences in Liguria

March 18th, 2021