Genova - Shopping

Photo: Pietro Ferrari

There is some good shopping in Genova, from designer goods and shoes, through high-street fashion and cheap fakes. On Via XX Settembre, a long, wide boulevard right in the centre of the city, you’ll find high-quality chain stores, designer stores – and some good shoe stores. Rinascente, the well-known Italian department store is located in Via Vernazza, which runs parallel to Via XX Settembre. You’ll also find the Mercato Orientale a great food market, selling all kinds of fruit, vegetable, fish, meat, cheese and bread. Unlike many stores, it’s open Monday morning.

Nearby is Via Roma, which is also good for designer fashion. Running parallel is the 19th century glass and metal Galleria Mazzini, with small fashion and accessory stores and cafés. For more affordable shopping try heading to Maddalena, a maze of tiny streets. In this part of Genova’s historic centre, you’ll find a huge range of small stores, selling clothing, jewellery, shoes and accessories food stores and bakeries. Via San Luca is good for contemporary high-street Italian fashion and if you looking for a designer outlet and bargains, head to Via Caffa.