The port of Genoa probably had activity back to as early as the 5th century B.C. The history of…read morePorto Antico (or Mandraccio), is intertwined with the history of Genoa's former Mediterranean glory. Christopher Columbus hailed from here, before agreeing to navigate the ocean blue for the glory of Spain. Over time, this area fell into disrepair, and it wasn't until a restructuring in 1992, that gave this area back to the community. Gayle and I didn't spend a lot of time here, but we certainly enjoyed the combination of history, urban renewal, ship sightings, and a dash of "Fisherman's Wharf" kitsch. We skipped the aquarium and were content to just wander around. Quite frankly, I was more impressed with the nearby old City, including the labyrinth of narrow streets, interesting churches, and a more intimate sense of history.

We were so impressed with the Old Port. It has been transformed into a busy tourist center…read more Tourists and locals can be seen strolling along the harbor. There are several museums and attractions including the Aquarium, Galeone Neptune (pirate ship) and Grande Bigo (an arial ride). There are plenty of restaurants as well.

Do it if you get the combined ticket with the aquarium & biosfera. It only takes a few minutes of…read moreyour time and is a neat way to get an aerial perspective on the city and particularly the port area.