10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Genoa

Mercato Orientale gets its name from its proximity to Genoa’s eastern gate and it’s a daily market located near one of the city’s main shopping streets. The bustling market is packed with colours, smells, and sounds that liven up any Genoa visit.

The market has 2 floors filled with fresh produce like meat and vegetables, as well as various restaurants and street food options. Make the most of the market by looking for local specialities like Genovese basil or salted anchovies from the Ligurian Sea.

Galleria Mazzini, sometimes called the Mazzini Gallery, is an elegant covered walkway with all sorts of upscale shops to browse, rain or shine. There’s even a monthly antique fair and a biannual book fair in the lead-up to Christmas and Easter.

Throughout the rest of the year, the glass-roofed arcade is a great spot to shop for clothes, antiques, and bric-a-brac, and there are a few cosy cafes to rest your feet between shops. If you don’t visit for the shopping, the design and luxurious atmosphere alone make it a worthwhile sightseeing spot.

Via Roma is a historic street with luxury fashion brands just off Galleria Mazzini in Genoa. The gorgeous street is lined with 19th-century buildings, as well as some older architecture going back to the 16th century.

Though the street itself is beautiful, most visitors make their way to Via Roma for the high-end shopping opportunities, as it’s here that all the big brands gather, the likes of Dolce & Gabanna, Ferragamo, and Louis Vuitton. There are also a few cafes and restaurants if you want to pull up a chair and take in the atmosphere.

The Fiumara Shopping Center in Genoa is a good option for a rainy day activity with the family. It is not only filled with interesting shops and restaurants but it also has ample entertainment for kids and groups.

The mall is a 20-minute train journey from Genova Brignole Station, or around a 13-minute drive. There you’ll find over 100 shops, from Flying Tiger to Swarovski, as well as a cinema, bowling alley, and children’s area in the Entertainment Center. It’s easy to spend an entire day here, so make sure you budget wisely.

Romeo Viganotti is an artisanal chocolate maker near Piazza De Ferrari and has been around since 1866. It still retains much of its original aesthetic and equipment, making it almost like a cosy chocolate museum with some very tasty exhibits.

The shop prides itself on its traditional, manual methods. And although much of their chocolate treats feature traditional flavours like candied orange peel and liqueur cherries, some more modern flavours such as spices and herbs are making their way into the repertoire. If you can’t get enough of Romeo Viganotti, look out for their cafeteria for coffee and gelateria for ice cream and cakes.

Via XX Settembre is a central and popular shopping street in Genoa that spans about a km from the De Ferrari metro station. The street is covered in an arched arcade style, and decorated with mosaic tiles on the ground, making for a delightful stroll no matter what the weather.

Most of the shops here are recognisable chain stores like Zara and H&M, but there are also a few boutique shops as well as some nice spots to get a coffee or some fresh focaccia. The street is not pedestrianised, but the wide pavements under the arches offer more than enough space for an enjoyable day out.

Piazza Banchi is a small square near Palazzo San Giorgio in Genoa. The square has gone through various forms, originally starting as a place for the corn market, then a business and trade centre, before becoming the flea market it is today. It remains a lively business hub.

Just a 2-minute walk from San Giorgio metro station, the cosy square has a few stalls selling unique items like handicrafts and art, second-hand books and records, and a variety of vibrant flowers to choose from. It’s a good stop if you’re visiting the palace or the nearby aquarium.

Via Sestri is a quiet street mostly frequented by locals, where you can get a good sense of daily life in Genoa. The street has a variety of different small shops, from clothes and underwear to cafes and fast food.

On the eastern side of Via Sestri, you’ll find various elegant clothing stores like Boutique Nanì and United Colors of Benetton, while the west side has shoe stores like Deichmann and underwear stores like Intimissimi. Along the street, you’ll also find family-run cafes and cute focaccia makers for a bite.

Via San Luca is a historically important road linking Piazza Banchi and the Porta dei Vacca in Genoa. It is lined with historic houses, some from the 15th and 16th centuries, making it a nice walk on a sunny day to explore and find something new.

On Via San Luca you won’t find many international chain stores or multistorey shops, but you will find various boutiques, souvenir shops, focaccia makers, and cafes. At the Piazza Fossatello you’ll also find an open area and outdoor seating at Fossatello's Border Café.

Galleria d'arte il Vicolo is a great place to pick up a unique work of art from your trip to the creative city of Genoa. From delicate sculpture to quirky animal art, the focus of the gallery is mostly on contemporary pieces.

The gallery is one of the oldest in town and is easy to get to, being just a 7-minute walk from San Giorgio metro station. So even if you don’t quite have the budget to bring home one of the works of art, it’s certainly worth a visit to get a sense of the local creativity. Its opening hours vary by day and is closed on Sundays.