Genoa on a Rainy Day: 11 Things To Do
Genoa, Italy is a lovely place to visit, and there are so many things that you might have on your list of things to do when you are in town. If you have noticed that bad weather is on the horizon for a couple of the days of your stay, don't worry! There are so many things that you can do in Genoa even when the weather is rainy. Staying dry can be easy when you have the right rainy day plan in place! From museum locations to palazzo sightseeing and more, there is a great idea around every corner when the weather is not at its best.
No matter what the weather is like or what your plans are, make sure to put your bags into secure storage when you arrive in Genoa. You will have a lot more fun with your luggage stored in secure storage in Genoa, and your hands will be free to make the most of your visit. Storing your bags can take the literal and figurative weight off your shoulders and make your stay much more fun and relaxing.
Once your bags have been stored, it is time to head out to enjoy Genoa, rain or shine!
Things to Do in Genoa When it Rains
January, September, October, and November are the rainy months in this lovely city. October is the wettest month on average, but this does not mean that the average rainfall is that extreme in this part of the world. Italy is beautiful and green because of the annual rainfall here, but that does not mean that you should plan on a deluge of rain when you visit. Having some indoor plans in mind is a good idea when you are not visiting during the summer, just in case you do run into a little rain during your trip.
You can expect a little bit of rain during the fall in this city, but a light jacket and a little preparation can make your rainy days just as fun as the days with fair weather. You will find that the average weather here is quite pleasant, but having a rainy day plan in mind can't hurt during any season that you are in town in Genoa. Whether you visit old port or old town, or you head to a palazzo location for your rainy day, you will have a great time in Genoa in fair weather or rainy weather.
Museo di Storia Naturale
This location is a great choice for a rainy day because the large collection housed here can take almost an entire day to really enjoy. There are more than 3 million plant and animal specimens here hailing from all over the world. This is a museum of natural history that would give any of the other major museums in the world a run for their money. The collection is fascinating and exciting, and you will love the expansive insect collection and the whale skeleton that are on display here.
This spot is open Thursday-Sunday each week from ten am to 6 pm. Make sure that you plan for a little extra time to walk through the exhibits and see the sights if you have come when it is not shoulder season. Crowds can be an issue here during the seasons when there are more tourists in town.
Genoa Maritime Museum
This location is a great place to visit if you have kids with you due to the interactive exhibits. This is a city with a rich maritime history, and this large collection can show you a lot about the history of Genoa and the sea as well as the maritime history of the rest of Italy. Learn all about the various trips that were taken to eventually discover America, and walk through the exhibitions of boats and ships in various stages of completion.
This spot is open every day from 10 am to 7:30 pm, which makes it a great choice for a rainy day that leaves you wanting to stay indoors as much as possible. There is a lot to see here, and you will be able to stay warm and dry for as long as you want while you take it all in.
Genoa Aquarium
This is one of the biggest aquariums in Italy, and there are more than 15,000 animals here. There are birds, mammals, fish, and more to see here, and kids and adults alike will love their visit to this informative and immersive aquarium. Wander through 70 different exhibits and take in all the sights and sounds while also enjoying informative videos and the guided tour information that is on offer. You will find that this might be more up your alley than museums, and this is a great place to head for a really full day out of the rain.
This location is open seven days a week, but weekend hours are from 8:30 am to 9 pm, while on weekdays, the location is open from 9 am to 8 pm. This is plenty of time to stay dry and comfortable, and you will not be bored for a second of the time that you spend in the aquarium.
Museo Della Carta
If you have ever wanted to see how paper was made, this little spot is a great option for your rainy day plans. Watch an artisan make paper and then have your choice of different handmade paper options in the gift shop. There is also some local history about the paper industry displayed here. You will not be able to kill hours here, but this is a really fun and interactive thing to do and see with a group of varying ages. You might want to call ahead to make sure that the shop and museum will be open as the hours can vary.
Take a Walking Tour
Walking tours might sound like a great way to get wet rather than to stay dry, but there are various kinds of walking tours that you can choose from. Many of them will take you to visit lots of the oldest and most historic sites in the city, which are largely indoor locations. You will also be able to take food tours which might require a bit of walking in the rain, but not much. Italy is known for its food and its culture, so you can enjoy learning about both of these things with the help of a guide when you choose a walking tour for your rainy day plan.
Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
This is not a large religious site, but this beautiful cathedral can make a great place to visit when the rain has descended on the city. You will love the stained glass and the beautiful architecture, and you can get close to the altar as well. This site is no longer in use, so you will not be able to catch a ceremony here, but this is a lovely location to get to see when the weather is not perfect.
The hours for this location can be a little variable, so you should plan to show up in the middle of the day to make sure that you get to see it. Holiday season can force this spot to close so you might want to be sure that you consider this if you care about seeing this site during your trip.
Castello d'Albertis
This unique little museum is the private collection housed in the home of captain Enrico Alberto D’Albertis, who is also the curator of the collection. You can see all kinds of things from the 19th and 20th centuries here that you will not be able to access at other museums in the city. The hours can be variable here, but this is a great place to spend a rainy day viewing a truly special and unique collection. You will love the house that this collection is housed in as well because of its quaint, castle-like interior and exterior.
Via XX Settembre
If you don't mind a little bit of wet during your rainy day, this lovely street will be the perfect place for you to head for your rainy day plans. Head here to see ancient architecture, enjoy street food of various kinds, and shop and see the sights. This is a lovely location that is worth a visit, and you will not mind a bit of wet weather to get the chance to wander this quaint street. There is a mix of modern and antique shops and things to see here, and you will love how immersive this location is.
Piazza Delle Vigne
If you want to just spend a peaceful day out of the rain, you can head to a lovely little bar in this area and get a drink, a hot chocolate, or a snack. There are lots of historical things to see here like an old church and a lot of old buildings, and you will be able to watch the world go by as you stay dry and warm. Sometimes a rainy day is best enjoyed in a cozy setting with a warm drink, and you will get access to lots of opportunities here to enjoy your rainy day in just such a way.
Chiesa di San Siro
Another beautiful church location is this little religious house full of paintings. You will love this spot for its cozy size and the beauty of the art on offer. The site itself is really enjoyable as well, and you will be out of the rain for longer than you might think. This place gets missed by many people, and it is a shame. You should make sure that you head here to see something special that many people miss out on by having this little church on your list of things to do and see while you are in Genoa.
Dialogo nel Buio
If you want to be fully immersed in art, this is the right place to visit. You will go through a journey when you head to this exhibit as you experience a journey in total darkness. You will be disoriented and lost and then find your way to the light. This experience has been described as transformative, and people are so moved by it that they go again and again. Finding your way through the dark to the light is about so much more than the exhibit, and you will find this experience well worth enjoying when you are in Genoa.
Don't Let a Little Rain Ruin Your Time in Genoa!
There are so many things that you can do when the weather is not ideal in this lovely city. Between visits to museums and shopping, you might stay busy all day when the weather is not at its best! Genoa Italy is a great place to visit at any time of the year, and you will find that there is more to do indoors out of the weather than you might have thought. You will find that this break in the ideal weather will give you permission to tour some areas of the city that you might not otherwise have considered!
You will not have to worry about snow, and you can trust that the weather will be mild even when it rains. Being able to plan on being comfortable even when it rains is a big benefit to choosing to visit Genoa even during the rainy season. Make sure to have a light jacket in your bag no matter what season you are in Genoa, and you will have a great time without any worries about the rain.
No matter what the weather or what your plans are, the first thing that you need to do when you get to Genoa is make sure to store your bags securely. Once you bags are stored properly, you will be ready to have fun seeing the sights and taking in all that is Genoa, even if the weather is not sunny and hot.