Guided Food Tour with Wine Tastings in Genoa
Taste the soul of the Ligurian coast through its markets, alleys, and centuries-old recipes.
This Genoa food tour with wine tastings takes you through the historic heart of one of Italy's most distinctive port cities, pairing local flavors with stories of maritime heritage and Renaissance architecture.
Genoa's culinary identity is unlike anywhere else in Italy. Shaped by centuries of trade, seafaring, and a fiercely local pride, its street food, sauces, and wines reflect a culture that has always looked both inward to its hills and outward to the sea.
Over two hours, a knowledgeable guide leads you through narrow medieval alleys called caruggi, past ancient city gates and into bakeries, markets, and tasting rooms where the city's best-known products are made and sold.
The tour pairs food with context, connecting each bite to a broader story about Genoa's geography, history, and the communities that have shaped its cuisine over generations.
Tour Highlights
Sample pesce fritto, freshly fried fish that defines Genoa's coastal street food tradition.
Taste authentic Ligurian pesto, prepared the traditional way with basil, pine nuts, and a mortar.
Discover focaccia made from both wheat flour and chickpeas, two pillars of Genoese baking culture.
Experience the aroma and flavor of locally produced Ligurian olive oil at a dedicated stop.
Enjoy two carefully selected regional wines, explained by a guide versed in Ligurian winemaking traditions.
Visit the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo during the tour route.
Finish with panera, a coffee-flavored semi-frozen cream that is a beloved local dessert in Genoa.
Tour Itinerary
The tour opens with a serving of pesce fritto, fried fish prepared in the style long associated with Genoa's port neighborhoods. Your guide introduces the city's coastal identity and explains how seafood has shaped its street food culture since the medieval period.
Standing before the reconstructed birthplace of Genoa's most famous navigator, your guide recounts stories of Columbus's voyages and the pivotal role this city played during the Age of Exploration. The stop connects Genoa's past ambitions to its present-day pride.
A stop at a working local bakery introduces the two signature baked goods of Genoa: focaccia genovese, brushed generously with olive oil, and farinata, a flatbread made from chickpea flour. The guide explains the distinct traditions behind each and how they are produced daily.
You taste Ligurian pesto at its most traditional, then explore the fragrant qualities of local olive oil before arriving at the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. The guide covers the cathedral's Romanesque architecture and its significance within the city's religious and civic history.
Two wines from the Ligurian region are poured and explained, with attention given to the area's distinctive terroir and small-production winemaking practices. The guide pairs tasting notes with the flavors encountered throughout the tour.
The tour concludes with panera, a semi-frozen dessert made from cream and espresso that has been enjoyed in Genoa for generations. It serves as both a final taste and a fitting farewell to the city's layered culinary character.
What Is Included
Included
- Pesce fritto tasting
- Focaccia genovese and farinata samples
- Traditional Ligurian pesto tasting
- Olive oil tasting with bruschetta
- Two regional wine tastings
- Panera dessert
- Licensed local guide in English and Italian
- Visit to Columbus birthplace and San Lorenzo Cathedral
Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Additional food or drinks outside the tour
- Gratuities for the guide
- Personal travel insurance
Important Information
Reserve Your Spot in Genoa
Spaces on this guided food tour are limited to maintain an intimate group experience. Confirm your booking in advance to avoid missing out on one of the most flavorful ways to explore Genoa's historic center.
Book Now
