The February wind brings with it the scents of Carnival and the crisp air of approaching spring. Genoa is preparing to welcome a weekend full of flavours, colors and melodies, where the carnival tradition is intertwined with the cultural liveliness that has always characterized our city. The camellias of Villa Durazzo Pallavicini are already showing the first signs of flowering, while in the historic center the atmosphere becomes festive among colorful stalls and delicious scents.
This weekend of February 21st and 22nd promises to be a perfect balance between the most authentic and the most contemporary Genoa. From medieval squares to historic theatres, from live music to gastronomic traditions, the Superba offers a range of experiences that will win over both those who visit it for the first time and those who have known it forever.
The sweet call of chocolate in Piazza De Ferrari
The beating heart of Genoa is transformed into a paradise for gourmands with the Chocolate Festival 2026. From Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd February, Piazza De Ferrari hosts an event that involves all the senses: the intense aroma of cocoa wafts through the air while chocolatier artisans from all over Italy display their most refined creations. This is not the usual trade fair, but a real journey into the world of artisanal chocolate, where every taste tells a story of passion and tradition.
The beauty of this event lies in its ability to transform the most elegant square in Genoa into an open-air living room. While children remain enchanted in front of the chocolate sculptures and adults delight in refined tastings, the fountain of the Palazzo della Borsa provides a scenic backdrop to three days of pure sweetness. The event is perfect for a romantic walk on a Saturday afternoon or for a Sunday with the family, with the possibility of taking home the excellent confectionery discovered among the stalls.
Authentic Carnival in Piazza Caricamento
While chocolate conquers De Ferrari, the carnival tradition finds a home in the renovated Piazza Caricamento. Here, on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February, you can breathe the atmosphere of the most genuine Genoese Carnival, the one made up of small artisans, typical sweets and that spontaneous joy that characterizes the popular festivals of our city. The colorful stalls display not only traditional Carnival sweets – from chiacchiere to fritters – but also local crafts and flowers that announce the arrival of spring.
Piazza Caricamento, with its strategic position between the sea and the historic center, has always been one of the most authentic places in Genoa. During this weekend, the square recovers its vocation as a community space, where Genoese and visitors mix in a festive atmosphere that smells of tradition. It is the ideal place for those who want to experience Carnival away from the crowd, immersing themselves in that more intimate and familiar dimension that makes Genoese celebrations unique.
Music and vinyl at the Magazzini del Cotone
The Porto Antico comes alive with notes and memories with the Fiera del Disco, an event that transforms the Magazzini del Cotone into a temple of physical music. On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February, over one hundred exhibitors from all over Italy bring here the greatest variety of vinyl records, CDs and musical rarities imaginable. It’s not just shopping, but a real pilgrimage for music lovers, where every record can reserve a surprise and every collector can find the missing piece of his collection.
The atmosphere created between the stands is magical: enthusiasts of all ages discuss the great rock classics, jazz experts discover rare recordings, while the youngest are exposed to the charm of vinyl for the first time. The Magazzini del Cotone, with their industrial architecture overlooking the sea, offer the perfect setting for this event which celebrates music in all its forms. Between one drive and another, it is worth looking out of the large windows to admire the port and perhaps plan a walk along the area of the Old Port where some of our most characteristic residences are located.
Theatre and comedy writing
Theater lovers are spoiled for choice this weekend. At the Politeama Genovese, Ale and Franz bring to the stage three decades of Italian comedy, with the surreal and intelligent humor that has made them famous. On Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February, the Milanese duo transforms the stage of the theater in Via Bacigalupo into a comic universe made up of iconic characters and new creations, perfect for those looking for an evening of pure fun without sacrificing artistic quality.
For those who want a lighter experience, “Note in Famiglia” at Palazzo Ducale offers an interactive music workshop perfect for introducing children to the world of music. The evocative setting of the historic building transforms learning into an engaging game, where the little ones can discover instruments and melodies under the guidance of expert musicians.
A weekend among camellias and medieval views
Those looking for a more intimate experience with nature and history can take advantage of the guided visits to the centuries-old camellias of Villa Durazzo Pallavicini. The one hundred and fifty centenary specimens of Camellia japonica, some exceeding six meters in height, are starting their spectacular spring flowering. It is a unique opportunity to walk along what is considered one of the most important camellia avenues in Europe, immersed in a nineteenth-century park that tells of centuries of Genoese history.
“Genoa is a city that never fully reveals itself: every weekend offers a different face to those who have the patience to search”
— Riviera di Levante Magazine
The alleys of the historic centre, a UNESCO heritage site, are transformed into corridors of discovery that connect one event to another, while the sea is always the backdrop, reminding us that Genoa is first and foremost a maritime city. Between a tasting and a show, it is worth getting lost in the alleyways, perhaps discovering a historic focacceria or a hidden antique dealer, because Genoa always reserves surprises for those who know how to look at it with curious eyes.
If you are planning a weekend to discover the Superba, our dwellings in the historic center will allow you to experience Genoa from the inside, waking up in the medieval alleys and falling asleep lulled to sleep by the sounds of the city that never sleeps. Because you don’t just visit Genoa: you live, you breathe, you savor one bite at a time. And this February weekend is the perfect opportunity to start – or continue – a love story with the most surprising city in Liguria. Book your stay and let Superba show you all its hidden treasures.
Book your stay and let Superba show you all its hidden treasures
