Located on the edges of the old city, this is historically the first large square to have been built in Genoa, in the period between the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century. For the citizens, it represents the real city center, where you meet to go shopping, to have a drink, to attend civic events, or to take a quick dip in the bronze fountain to take the edge off the summer heat, or to celebrate sporting triumphs. Buildings which face onto the square include the Palazzo Ducale with its frescoed facade, the Teatro Carlo Felice, the Palazzo dell'Accademia, the Palazzo della Nuova Borsa and the Via XX Settembre, main artery of the city for both traffic and pedestrians, also leads off the square.

One of the main roads of the city, its current appearance comes from the beginning of the twentieth century, when the already existing via Giulia was enlarged and new liberty, neo-renaissance buildings were constructed along it. Among these buildings there are many interesting examples of eclectic architecture, with elaborate decorations, facades with floral designs, bow-windows, multi-coloured window frames, and enormous statues supporting the balconies above them. The road, built over the Ponte Monumentale, is without doubt one of the livliest in the city, and is a favourite area of the genovese for their afternoon stroll. There are many types of shops on the road, (clothing, electrical appliances), but there are also bars and cafés, and fashionable meeting places (nightclubs, restaurants, cinema, patisseries).

This aquarium/marine park, one of the main tourist attractions in Italy, welcomes millions of visitors each year. Built between 1989 and 1992, it reproduces a coastal atmosphere in 48 basins, four of which are oceanic and have two viewing levels. Continually changing, it also includes the Nave Italia, which was the seat of the Italian Pavilion during the Expo of 1992, and is now home to around 500 different species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds and invertebrates.

This trail is carved into the rock and it weaves through the little port of Nervi, with its picturesque pastel coloured houses, and the splendid villas of Capolungo, whose park leads to the sea. It is easily traversed in all seasons, shielded from the cold winter winds, with incomparable views over the eastern Riviera. Along the route there are numerous open air bars, ice cream shops, restaurants and night clubs, as well as a 16th century look-out tower which stands over the cliffs and reefs. The atmosphere on starry summer nights is incredibly romantic.

Far from the lights of the city center, at the Astronomical Observatory, there are several interesting guided tours organized by the Università Popolare Sestrese: your attention will be directed not towards the grey slate rooves and the blue of the sea but at the immense starry sky, full of fascinating mysteries. Guided tours can be reserved through the university; booking required. The Observatory is also open to school parties.