Things to do in Liguria

Explore the Aquarium of Genoa to see more than 5,000 animals from 400 species at Italy's largest aquatic zoo. Learn how the aquarium was built for the Genoa Expo '92, and the variety of conservation programs that it is involved in. Discover a venue that is home to the biggest display of aquatic biodiversity in Europe. Venture into the fascinating waters of the world as you explore more than 70 tanks of wonderful aquatic creatures. Marvel at animals from the Antarctic, such as penguins, and see sharks, seals, jellyfish, and the colorful fish of the coral barriers. Head to the Cetacean Pavilion, designed by Renzo Piano, and be amazed the playful bottlenose dolphins at 4 open-air pools.

Immerse yourself in the largest aquatic biodiversity exhibition in Europe. Stroll through the world's most fascinating seas and waters as you discover the ocean and enjoy an unforgettable experience. In spectacular settings, enjoy new thematic itineraries to get to know all the secrets, curiosities, and details of a place that never ceases to surprise and excite. Enrich your visit with lunch at the Tender Cafè, which is a fast food bar inside the Aquarium of Genoa which has a splendid terrace overlooking the port of Genoa. It will be there that you can taste and discover Ligurian and Genoese specialties. Lunch is Genoese focaccia with burrata cheese, cherry tomatoes, chips, or a salad. Lunch also includes 1 drink of your choice.

Experience the Cinque Terre coast by boat and take in gorgeous views of vineyards terraces and charming buildings from the sea. Make time to stop at Riomaggiore, Monterosso, and Vernazza along the way. Start at La Spezia's harbor and sail through the Gulf of the Poets admiring the magnificent village of Portovenere and the island of Palmaria from the boat. Reach the first village of Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore, passing by the mesmerizing coastline with its famous terraced vineyard landscape and colorful houses. The city is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Here, visit the imposing church of San Giovanni Battista with your guide and enjoy some free time to stroll through the narrow streets. In Monterosso al Mare, explore the medieval historic center and marvel at the parish church dedicated to St. John, the Baptist. Then continue the sailing to Vernazza, the pearl of the Cinque Terre. Vernazza presents itself to visitors as the prow of a ship: most of the village is in fact built on a small promontory that ends at the sea with an imposing fortification system. At the end of the tour, enjoy free time and take the chance to taste the local wine and food, or go for a swim in the crystal clear water of the Mediterranean.

Board the ferry at La Spezia and start your boat trip to Porto Venere. Cruise for approximately 30-minutes before reaching Porto Venere. Disembark the ferry for a walk through the town. Porto Venere is a fortified seaside village filled with colorful houses and medieval buildings. During your tour, you will pass the Church of San Pietro, one of the most religious buildings in all of Italy, before walking through narrow streets. Pass the Church of San Lorenzo and enjoy panoramic views at Doria's fortress. Before returning to the ferry, you’ll have some free time to explore Porto Venere on your own. Board the ferry and continue on your tour along the Cinque Terre coastline. Relax onboard for approximately 50 minutes as you pass by the seaside villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Corniglia. Next stop is Monterosso. Here you will reach the medieval center in a few steps, where you can admire the parish church dedicated to San John the Baptist. Then, admire the landscapes from Torre Aurora and the large beach by Fegina. Arrive at Vernazza, where you will disembark to explore the unique village. Walk around Vernazza, a small village with an imposing fortification system. Here you will see the Church Santa Margherita d'Antiochia and walk down the main street filled with colorful houses. Walk to a viewing point in the village and see views of Doria's fortress.

Enjoy two of Genoa's top attractions with this combined entry ticket for the Aquarium of Genoa and the City of Children and Youth. Find the perfect entertainment for your whole family in Italy's largest aquarium, and explore a play area with over 3,000 square meters devoted to children's activities. At the City of Children and Youth, enter an exhibition that uses the "Five Senses" as a tool to transmit knowledge and have fun, guiding children and teenagers on a journey to discover themselves and the world through multisensory adventures. Enjoy a colorful environment with 5 rooms dedicated to the 5 senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Spend time in spaces dedicated to interactive experiences, with no set route — move from room to room as you please to explore your senses. Next, immerse yourself in the largest exhibition of aquatic biodiversity in Europe. Discover 600 animal species, from the rarest manatees to popular marine mammals like dolphins. Experience new thematic itineraries to learn about all the secrets of the underwater world. Witness a shark tank with holographic effects. See white lacquered walls designed to look like ice as you learn about the harsh conditions of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic areas. Observe gentoo penguins and magellanic penguins in the Ice Kingdom that mimics the climate of the Falkland Islands. Visit 2 renovated areas in the Aquarium of Genoa dedicated to the conservation and recovery of animals in difficulty or rescued by the authorities from dangerous situations and entrusted to the aquarium.

Explore Pisa with this shore excursion from La Spezia. Upon disembarking, you'll take one of the free shuttle buses from the pier to the terminal to meet your easily recognizable tour leader outside the terminal. After admiring the Unesco Piazza Dei Miracoli, choose the city walking option to have the opportunity to see the hidden treasures of the medieval city. Walk through the Piazza Dei Cavalieri, borgo stretto, see the birthplace of Galileo Galilei, the Vettovaglie market, and much more. Choose the tower ticket option, to climb to the top of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and enter its spectacular Cathedral with priority access. At the end of your experience, you will return to La Spezia to board the ship.

Get a taste of 'la dolce vita' on this jam-packed tour to the Cinque Terre, a collection of quintessential Italian towns dotted along the coast of Tuscany. After meeting your guide in central Florence, listen to an insightful introduction about the Cinque Terre on the 2-hour bus journey to La Spezia. After a quick bathroom break, board the first train of the day. Arrive in Manarola, the first of the Cinque Terre villages you will visit. Here you will join a small guided walk through the vines, and then enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Next, take the train to Corniglia. Climb the steps to reach the center of this quaint village and take some time to wander around. If you have selected the add-on, sit down at a local restaurant with a beautiful terrace and sea views. Tuck into a lunch of homemade pesto pasta for your 'primo' and fresh fish for your ‘secondo’. Then, choose to either go on an adventurous guided hike from Corniglia to Vernazza, or if you prefer to take it easy, follow your guide and take a train instead. Once in Vernazza, sit at one of the local cafés, or take a refreshing dip in the sea. Next, board a train to Monterosso, the village renowned for its beautiful beaches and artisan shops. If the weather allows it, you will then board a boat to navigate along the coast of the Cinque Terre. Arrive in Riomaggiore, an ancient fishing village and the most southern of the 5 villages. After exploring this last village, board the train back to La Spezia and then take the coach back to Florence.

Departure at 10 a.m. from Passeggiata Morin, La Spezia, near the cruise terminal and the ferry embarkation point. The boat (10 metres) and the captain will be there waiting for you. You will sail along the borgate marinare, i.e. the small villages on the coast between La Spezia and Portovenere. You will see Torre Scola, an old military fortress built on a rock in the middle of the sea. We will pass through the archipelago consisting of the three islands, Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto, which are still unspoilt places, until we reach the romantic Portovenere. Here you can choose whether to go ashore for a short visit to the town and the famous church of San Pietro, overlooking the sea, or stay on the boat and dive into the turquoise waters between Palmaria Island and the village of Portovenere. Continuing the tour, we will have time to approach the world-famous Grotta Byron, the red rocks and swim in beautiful hidden coves, in the crystal-clear waters of Monesteroli or under the natural waterfall of Canneto. From here we will enter the 5 terre marine protected area. We will sail past the 5 villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso), you will have plenty of time to take your photos, listen to interesting stories and explanations from your captain and take another dip. During this tour there is also the possibility to go ashore and visit the villages of Vernazza or Monterosso. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the dolphins that habitually swim near our shores. On the way back we will visit Lerici and Tellaro and swim at the Caletta, described by the New York Times as the 'Thailand of the Mediterranean Sea'. The tour will end at 6 p.m. at the place of departure.

Experience a full-day boating excursion and discover three of the most charming villages in Liguria: Camogli, San Fruttuoso, and Portofino. Enjoy options of visiting all three, or selecting which ones you'd like to discover. Depart from Genova in the morning aboard the motorboat Città di Camogli and enjoy panoramic coastal views on your way to the harbor of Camogli. If you choose to visit San Fruttuoso, you will find a charming fishing village located on the promontory of Portofino and the Abbey of San Fruttuoso. After leaving the dock from Camogli, catch sight of beautiful views of the tiny village. Next, you'll be able to admire the majesty of Portofino mountain, the pudding-stone landmark outcrop of Punta Chiappa. Then, pass the exclusive hamlet of San Fruttuoso, followed by the famous Hermit's Grotto and the Cala dell'Oro. Next, in Portofino, you will find the awe-inspiring blue sea, the lush green vegetation at the edge of the cliffs, and the elegance of villas along the coast. Finally, keep an eye out for bottle-nose dolphins on the boat trip back to Genova.

Enjoy an entry ticket to The City of Children and Young Museum in Genova. Walk through this museum and heighten your senses as you play and interact with art and colorful digital technology that will take you on a journey to discover yourself. Discover a world of pure imagination. Enter all interactive rooms any route you like. Marvel at the kaleidoscope of brightly colored, mind-blowing optical illusions and test your senses as you walk through this extraordinary museum.  Smell, see, touch, hear and taste your way through this exhibition. Listen to sound waves, see shapes, play with reflections and mirrors, find out all about taste buds, and touch the eye-catching displays. Walk around and take selfies at the 3D nose, the lollipop displays, or whatever tickles your fancy; these photos will surely get you lots of Instagram likes.  Experience an unforgettable, fun day out for all the family that will take over your imagination.