Explore Genoa through active adventures like urban orienteering, treasure hunts, and team-building activities in the historic center.
Overlooking the Gulf of the Ligurian Sea and nestled between the sea and the Apennines, Genoa is a city waiting to be discovered. With its narrow streets, scenic forts, and urban parks, the capital of Liguria offers the perfect setting for outdoor activities and for exploring the historic center in an active and engaging way.
Outdoor Portofino organizes orienteering activities, scavenger hunts, and team-building events in Genoa, right in the heart of the city, transforming urban exploration into a dynamic and unique experience.
Genoa was founded in the 4th century B.C., and its name likely derives from the Latin word *ianua* (door). First a port of the Roman Empire, Genoa later became a major trading power. Occupied for centuries by various peoples, its victory over the Republic of Venice in 1298 ushered in a period of rapid development, despite the many internal divisions caused by the rivalries among Genoa’s noble families—the Spinolas, Grimaldis, Dorias, and others.
Genoa reached its peak in the 16th century under the rule of Andrea Doria, financing and benefiting from Spanish explorations in the Americas. This period of prosperity lasted into the 17th century, attracting the attention of prominent artists such as Rubens, Caravaggio, and Van Dyck. Among the names that have shaped Genoa’s history is Galeazzo Alessi, an Italian architect who designed many of the city’s beautiful buildings.
The Risorgimento marked another period of prosperity for Genoa: the city played a leading role in the unification of Italy, with historical figures closely associated with the city, such as Giuseppe Mazzini, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Goffredo Mameli, the author of the Italian national anthem.
Nature rises in the city of Genoa! Thanks to the mild climate and the strategic position on the sea, but with the Apennines at its shoulders, Genoa boasts a rich and varied flora: botanical gardens and parks in the city center, Mediterranean vegetation on the coastal strip, green woods on the mountain highlands.
Only in the city center, public parks occupy 80,000 square meters of land! If you want to relax in a green oasis, the ideal places are the Parks of Nervi, the Park of Villa Durazzo Pallavicini, the Garden of Villa del Principe, the Botanical Garden, Villa Imperiale, Spianata dell’Acquasola, Villetta Di Negro and the park of Castello d’Albertis.
The Parco delle Mura and its Forts embrace the city from above: 617 hectares of hills between Val Bisagno and Val Polcevera ideal for hiking or mountain biking. The Parco delle Mura can also be reached by the spectacular train of Casella, which connects the city center to Casella, with spectacular views over the whole valley on a 25 km itinerary.
As the capital of Liguria, Genoa offers a surprising wealth of architectural and cultural treasures. With the largest historic center in Europe, the city also boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the Strada Nuova and the Palazzi dei Rolli.
Once a powerful maritime republic and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Genoa is also known as La Superba.
Expo 1992, held to mark the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s colonization of the Americas, provided the opportunity for a major renovation of the Porto Antico area, designed by Renzo Piano, as well as much of the historic center behind it. From that point on, Genoa enjoyed a period of prosperity until 2004, when it was designated European City of Culture.
Activities organized for companies, groups, and students take place in the historic district and in urban green spaces.
Thanks to our partnerships with local businesses—such as Ostellin, The Hostel, Manena Hostel, and Giardini Luzzati—we have strategic partners to help us organize personalized experiences in the city.
Le attività si adattano a:
Genoa, home to the largest historic center in Europe, is a city where you can easily lose yourself. The famous “caruggi” (narrow alleys), the routes of De Andrè, the Spianata Castelletto with its majestic view of the city center and the Port of Genoa, the Strada Nuova and the Palazzi dei Rolli, the Old Port restored by Renzo Piano, Boccadasse, the Parco delle Mura, and the Righi district.
A fascinating labyrinth that unfolds through play and exploration in our orienteering activities and other outdoor programs. Thanks to numerous partnerships we’ve established with well-established local organizations—such as Ostellin, The Hostel, Manena Hostel, and the Luzzati Gardens—we have a solid foundation from which to develop activities throughout the city.
Live as a local, visit the most authentic spots and learn the local traditions coming into contact with nature and sport.
