Genoese summer has now burst forth in all its luminous beauty. The air of late June carries with it that unmistakable scent of sea salt that seeps between the historic palaces, mingling with the aromas of the kitchens in the narrow streets. It is the time of year when the city reveals its dual nature: the vertical one, clinging to the hills seeking coolness, and the horizontal one, stretched along the horizon where the sea meets the sky. If you are wondering what to do in Genoa this last weekend of June, prepare yourself for a program that perfectly reflects the complexity and charm of this land.
The weekend from 26 to 28 June 2026 promises to be extraordinarily rich, capable of satisfying every inclination. Whether you are in search of pure sporting adrenaline, evenings featuring great singer-songwriter music, meditative silences within aristocratic palaces or simply the convivial pleasure of dinner by the sea, the Superba has an experience tailored for you. Forget about rushing: Genoa is a city that must be savored step by step, letting yourself be surprised by what lies hidden around the corner of a caruggio or beyond the arch of an ancient portal.
We will accompany you on a journey through the most significant appointments of these three days, interweaving the vibrancy of contemporary events with the profound breath of the city’s history. You can use our suggestions as a compass to orient yourself in the city, building your personal itinerary among art, nature, sports and gastronomy.
Pure adrenaline between crêuze and caruggi: Red Bull Cerro Abajo
Few cities in the world possess a geographic conformation as dramatic and theatrical as Genoa. And precisely this impervious and vertical nature becomes the stage for one of the most spectacular sporting events of the year: the Red Bull Genova Cerro Abajo 2026, scheduled for Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June. This is the most famous and breathtaking urban downhill race in Europe, which transforms the city’s ancient communication routes into an extreme course for mountain bikes.
Carlos Figueroa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Imagine the world’s best riders launching into a headlong descent for over two kilometers. The starting point is set high, from the heights of Monte Peralto, where the air is thinner and the view dominates the entire gulf. From there, the athletes will dive toward the pulsating heart of the city, facing an impressive elevation change. The route is a true journey through Genoese urban history: steep stone staircases, narrow bricked crêuze that once saw only the passage of mules, shadowy caruggi and natural obstacles, until gliding into Largo della Zecca, just a few steps from the splendor of Via Garibaldi.
Witnessing this competition is not just an experience for extreme sports enthusiasts. It is an unprecedented and vibrant way of experiencing urban space. The contrast between hyper-technological bicycles racing at wild speeds and the ancient walls of Renaissance palaces creates a fascinating visual short-circuit. We recommend finding an observation point along the Castelletto staircases or near the Righi Funicular: you will hear the dull sound of tires on cobblestones and the palpable energy of the crowd crowding along the barriers, in an atmosphere of collective celebration that electrifies the entire hill.
Great singer-songwriter music at the Arena del Mare
When evening falls and the heat of the day gives way to the sea breeze, Porto Antico transforms into the city’s cultural hub. On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, the Arena del Mare will host one of the most anticipated musical events of the summer: Fiorella Mannoia in concert, with her new tour dedicated to a project of immense emotional value for Genoese people.
Sidvics, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The show is a profound and respectful tribute to two absolute giants of Italian singer-songwriter tradition: Fabrizio De André and Ivano Fossati. Mannoia, an interpreter of rare sensitivity, will bring to the stage the songs from “Anime Salve”, the 1996 masterpiece album born precisely from the collaboration between the two masters. Listening to these songs in Genoa, the city that inspired them, cherished them and made them immortal, is an experience that transcends the simple concert. The lyrics that speak of the sea, of marginalization, of journeys and of humanity will resonate just meters from the water, while the lights of the ships in the harbor will serve as natural scenography.
“You will see a royal city, nestled against an alpine hill, superb for its men and its walls, whose very appearance marks it as mistress of the sea.”
— Francesco Petrarca, Itinerarium Syriacum, 1358
We suggest arriving at Porto Antico with some time to spare. Take a moment to stroll along the piers, perhaps enjoying a piece of focaccia or a cone of mixed fried fish to go. Let yourself be enveloped by the vibrant atmosphere of this Mediterranean square before taking your seat at the Arena. If you love live music and want to explore other events on the calendar, this weekend truly offers an embarrassment of riches, but the appointment with the notes of De André and Fossati undoubtedly represents the pulsing, poetic heart of the weekend.
A Dive into the Baroque at Palazzo Ducale
If you prefer more classical atmospheres and want to immerse yourself in the splendor of the Genoese Republic, on Friday, June 26, Palazzo Ducale will open its doors for you to step back in time. The majestic Hall of the Greater Council, the political and representative heart of the ancient maritime republic, will host a “Performance of 17th Century Music and Costume Dance.”
Anton Van Dyck, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The event is a fascinating journey into Genoa’s golden century, that 17th century when the city led Europe in wealth and patronage. The performance is dedicated in particular to the figure of Anton Van Dyck, the celebrated Flemish painter who found fortune in Genoa by portraying local aristocracy with unparalleled elegance. Artists in splendid period costumes will bring to life songs, dances, and baroque melodies, evoking the refinement of courts and noble palaces.
The choice of the Hall of the Greater Council is no accident. With its vast frescoes, sparkling chandeliers, and grand proportions, this space amplifies the beauty of musical performances, allowing you to breathe the air of an era when Genoa was truly the “Superba.” It is a rare opportunity to experience the palace not only as a museum, but as a living stage, where history becomes sound and movement.
Wellness and Magnificence: Yoga at Palazzo Reale
Sunday morning, June 28, offers you the opportunity to experience Genoa’s historic palaces in a completely unexpected way. Indeed, the appointment with “Rolli Flow” returns, an initiative that combines the care of body and spirit with architectural beauty. The setting for this edition is the sumptuous Palazzo Reale, on historic Via Balbi.
The experience begins with a Yoga Flow session guided by experienced instructors. Imagine unrolling your mat surrounded by gilded stuccos, antique mirrors, mythological frescoes, and inlaid marble floors. The contrast between the fluidity and silence of yoga practice and the visual richness of Genoese baroque creates a sense of profound harmony. It is a way to inhabit these monumental spaces with slowness, awareness, and respect, feeling the energy of centuries of history.
But the experience does not stop at physical practice. At the end of the session, participants will be able to enjoy a convivial brunch set up in the palace spaces, created in collaboration with local catering excellence. It is the perfect moment to socialize, relax, and taste fresh and genuine flavors, before dedicating yourself to visiting the palace rooms or its splendid hanging gardens overlooking the harbor.
The Aroma of Basil and Sea: The Trofie Festival in Sori
There is no summer weekend in Liguria without the joy and flavor of a real village festival. On Saturday, June 27, we suggest you venture a few kilometers from the city center to reach Sori, a charming seaside village nestled in the Golfo Paradiso, east of Genoa. Here the 39th edition of the famous “Trofie Festival” will take place, an unmissable appointment for those who want to discover the most authentic and genuine soul of our gastronomy.
Pastalovers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trofie are much more than a pasta shape: they are a symbol of Ligurian ingenuity. This small twisted pasta, with its tapered form, was historically born right in this stretch of coast, created by the skilled hands of women who, with a quick and precise movement of the palm of their hand, shaped small dumplings of water and flour. The afternoon in Sori will open precisely with a workshop to learn how to make trofie by hand, a golden opportunity to discover the secrets of this ancient domestic art.
As evening approaches, the gastronomic stands will open. The aroma of fresh Genoese pesto, prepared with basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, Pecorino cheese and the essential extra virgin olive oil, will fill the streets of the village. Seated at long wooden tables, with the sound of the surf in the background, you can enjoy abundant and genuine dishes. The evening will conclude beautifully with live music directly on the beach, where you can dance barefoot on the sand under the starry sky of the Riviera.
Industrial archaeology and port stories: Di Molo in Molo
If you love walking and are fascinated by the history of work and industry, we recommend dedicating a few hours of your weekend to the Di Molo in Molo itinerary, which starts on Saturday, June 27 in the heart of Porto Antico. This is not simply a walk, but a true journey through Genoese industrial archaeology.
The route will guide you through discovering how the Port of Genoa transformed between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. You will walk along old wharves, observe up close ancient rusted cranes that seem like contemporary sculptures, and venture among impressive historic buildings such as the Magazzini del Cotone or the old grain silos. It is an exploration that tells the story of the labor of the camalli (the famous Genoese port workers), the advent of mechanization, and the smell of steam that once dominated these docks.
This visit will allow you to deeply understand Genoa’s identity, a city that before becoming an open-air museum was, and still is, an extraordinary working machine overlooking the Mediterranean. It is a perfect activity to do early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the raking sunlight highlights the iron and concrete geometries of the port.
The local gem: Sunset at Giardini Luzzati
Every article of ours would not be complete without advice from those who live in the city every day. If on Saturday evening, after exploring the beauties of the historic center, you are looking for a vibrant, authentic place frequented by locals, head to Giardini Luzzati. This square, recovered and returned to the city a few years ago, stands literally above the ancient ruins of a Roman amphitheater, nestled among the tall buildings of the caruggi.
The Luzzati gardens are not just a physical space, but a true open-air social and cultural laboratory. Here you can breathe a cosmopolitan, relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. On Saturday, June 27, the area will host a concert by Sud Sound System, who will bring their overwhelming reggae and dancehall sounds. Even if you don’t attend the concert front row, we recommend sitting at the bar tables in the square around aperitivo hour. Order an “Asinello” (the typical Genoese aperitif based on aromatized wine), watch the children playing, the young people chatting, and life flowing through this crossroads of cultures. It is the most authentic Genoa, far from postcards but incredibly fascinating.
Your refuge in the heart of the Superba
Living a weekend so full of emotions, sounds and flavors requires the perfect starting point. After cheering the cyclists speeding through the caruggi, singing your heart out at Arena del Mare or strolling through baroque splendor, there is nothing better than returning to a welcoming home, designed to make you immediately feel part of the city.
Our residences are scattered throughout the most strategic and fascinating neighborhoods of Genoa. Whether you prefer to wake up with a view of the slate roofs of the historic center, or just steps away from the scent of the sea, we have taken care of every detail to guarantee you authentic and passionate hospitality. If this story has kindled in you the desire to leave, you can book now your stay. We look forward to welcoming you to Genoa, ready to make you fall in love with every single caruggio.
