Genoa scavenger hunt
Opening onto the eastern end of Via Garibaldi, Piazza Fontane Marose is an elegant historic square lined with aristocratic Renaissance and Baroque palaces that once bordered the city's ancient monumental fountains.
Piazza De Ferrari is a majestic central square where a grand bronze fountain and elegant Art Nouveau buildings create a monumental hub at the heart of Genoa.
Nestled just outside the medieval Porta Soprana, Casa di Colombo is an 18th-century reconstruction of the modest stone dwelling where the famed Genoese explorer spent his youth.
Palazzo Grimaldi della Meridiana is a majestic Renaissance palace where a grand sundial facade and elegant frescoed halls create a monumental showcase of Genoa’s aristocratic history.
Porta Soprana is a majestic medieval gate where twin stone towers and high pointed arches create a grand entrance to the historic heart of Genoa.
Genoa scavenger hunt
Opening onto the eastern end of Via Garibaldi, Piazza Fontane Marose is an elegant historic square lined with aristocratic Renaissance and Baroque palaces that once bordered the city's ancient monumental fountains.
Piazza De Ferrari is a majestic central square where a grand bronze fountain and elegant Art Nouveau buildings create a monumental hub at the heart of Genoa.
Nestled just outside the medieval Porta Soprana, Casa di Colombo is an 18th-century reconstruction of the modest stone dwelling where the famed Genoese explorer spent his youth.
Palazzo Grimaldi della Meridiana is a majestic Renaissance palace where a grand sundial facade and elegant frescoed halls create a monumental showcase of Genoa’s aristocratic history.
Porta Soprana is a majestic medieval gate where twin stone towers and high pointed arches create a grand entrance to the historic heart of Genoa.

Genoa Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour

Rated 4.55 out of 5 based on 53 customer ratings
(53 customer reviews)

Explore the city at your own pace with a self-guided experience.
Buy your ticket, download the app, and start instantly.

5 € - 11 €

1 ticket = 1 person

  • Buy 1 ticket
    11 €
  • Buy 2 tickets and save 36%
    11 €
    7 €
  • Buy 3 tickets and save 45%
    11 €
    6 €
  • Buy 4+ tickets and save 55%
    11 €
    5 €

Make a day of itInteractive guides by World City Trail, delivered with your tickets.

What is a city guide?

Your own guide to Genoa on your phone: hand-picked places, each with why to go, what to order and a practical tip.

  • Tick places off
  • Your own notes
  • One tap to Maps
  • Open now, near me
  • Works offline
  • Print it or save as PDF
See the guides, a short video and all the details →
- +
Total:
Each:

See players in action on Instagram

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved by thousands of travelers and locals

  • No time limit – use your ticket whenever you want
  • Secure checkout - Instant confirmation

Included: your personal Trail Map with every city you finish, the kilometres you walk and your flag collection. See an example →

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Everything you need for a flexible self-guided city experience

Explore the city at your own pace

✔ Discover hidden gems & highlights
✔ Enjoy a flexible self-guided experience
✔ Explore freely with no schedule
✔ Perfect for couples, students, companies, friends & families

How your city experience works

✔ Instant ticket purchase
✔ Easy access via the World City Trail app
✔ Quick setup with your booking details
✔ Start anytime and explore freely
✔ Pause and resume anytime

Why travelers choose this tour

✔ Instant access after purchase
✔ Optional AI voice narration — listen instead of read
✔ Discover top attractions & food spots
✔ Customize your route anytime

Riddles in the caruggi, from San Siro to Columbus' House

The Genoa scavenger hunt is a self-guided city game you play on your phone: you walk from landmark to landmark, solve a riddle at each one by looking closely at what is in front of you, and unlock the stories and legends behind it. From San Siro to Columbus' House the game covers 2.3 km and 10 stops, yet only about 30 minutes of that is walking, so riddles and stories fill most of the roughly 2 hours, and the clock starts whenever you decide.

Highlights include the striped façade of San Lorenzo Cathedral, Palazzo San Giorgio by the Old Port, the Doge's Palace, the fountain of Piazza De Ferrari, the medieval towers of Porta Soprana and Christopher Columbus' House. Genoa's old town is a dense maze of narrow alleys, the caruggi, lined with noble palaces, so the short route packs a lot of history into a compact walk.

  • Durationabout 2 hours
  • Walkingabout 30 min · 2.3 km
  • Stops10
  • LanguagesEnglish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch

What you do on a game through Genoa's old town

Stripes, lions and a painted dragon

Each stop sets a riddle that the place itself answers: the black and white bands and stone lions of San Lorenzo, the large sundial on Palazzo della Meridiana, Saint George and the dragon on Palazzo San Giorgio. Look carefully, think it through, and the next story opens.

Basilisks, prisoners and a weaver's son

Solved riddles unlock the tales behind the stones: the basilisk Saint Syrus is said to have driven from a well, Marco Polo dictating his travels as a prisoner by the Old Port, and the wool weaver whose son Christopher Columbus is believed to have grown up below Porta Soprana. Prefer to keep your eyes on the striped stonework? Turn on the audio narration and each tale is read aloud.

2.3 km of alleys, slopes and squares

Only about 30 minutes of the game is walking, but the caruggi climb and dip, from the old town up towards Via Garibaldi, down to the port and back up to Piazza De Ferrari. Google Maps leads you through the maze from stop to stop, so the narrow lanes never leave you lost.

A focaccia break whenever you like

Nobody keeps time, so stop for a slice of focaccia or a coffee near the port and pick the game up again later or on another day. The app also points out places for local food and shops along the way.

See the route and attractions →

How it works

  1. Book online Choose the number of players. Your booking reference arrives by email straight away.
  2. Get the app Download the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your booking reference.
  3. Play when you like Start whenever you are ready, walk at your own pace and pause any time. No guide, no fixed schedule.

Who plays the Genoa scavenger hunt

Cruise passengers and short stays

With about 2 hours and a compact 2.3 km route through the old town, the game fits a port call or a first afternoon in Genoa. In one go it shows you the cathedral, the Doge's Palace and two of the Rolli palaces.

Families with curious children

Children like spotting the stone lions at San Lorenzo, the dragon on Palazzo San Giorgio and the two towers of Porta Soprana, built to keep out Emperor Barbarossa. An adult plays in every team, and the short walking time keeps young legs going.

Work teams and friends let loose in the caruggi

Teams of up to 5 players, each on their own phone, can set off a few minutes apart through the same alleys and compare answers at the end. Piazza De Ferrari, with its big bronze fountain, is close to the finish and an easy place to gather.

Good to know

  • Bring a charged smartphone with mobile data; a power bank helps.
  • No entry tickets needed: everything happens outside the buildings. Going inside is optional and paid separately.
  • Family friendly; children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Not suitable for wheelchair users and difficult with strollers.
  • Teams of up to 5 work best; bigger groups split into several teams, one ticket per player.
  • Every purchase helps support stray cats and dogs in Greece.

The route: up to the Rolli palaces, down to the port, out through Porta Soprana

10 stops · about 30 min walking · start: Basilica of San Siro · finish: Christopher Columbus' House

The hunt starts at the Basilica of San Siro in the alleys of the old town and climbs to Palazzo Grimaldi della Meridiana and Piazza Fontane Marose near Via Garibaldi. It then heads down past Santa Maria delle Vigne to Palazzo San Giorgio at the Old Port, back up to San Lorenzo Cathedral, the Doge's Palace and Piazza De Ferrari, and through Porta Soprana to finish at Christopher Columbus' House. In the app you can move the start to a different stop or rearrange the sequence, which helps on Genoa's steep lanes, and since every riddle is read from the street, no stop asks for an entry ticket.

Open the route map ↗

  1. Basilica of San Siro

    1Basilica of San SiroStart

    San Siro was Genoa's first cathedral before the bishop's seat moved to San Lorenzo, and the present church was rebuilt from the late 16th century by the Theatine order. Its interior is covered with Baroque frescoes, stucco and gilding. According to legend, Saint Syrus drove a basilisk out of a well in the city.

  2. Palazzo Grimaldi della Meridiana

    2Palazzo Grimaldi della Meridiana

    This palace was built in the 16th century for Gerolamo Grimaldi, one of the city's great noble families. It takes its name from the large sundial, the meridiana, later painted on its façade, and it belongs to the Palazzi dei Rolli, the noble palaces listed by UNESCO in 2006.

  3. Piazza Fontane Marose

    3Piazza Fontane Marose

    This square at the start of Via Garibaldi, the old Strada Nuova of Genoa's nobles, takes its name from fountains that once stood here. On one side rises Palazzo Spinola dei Marmi, a 15th-century palace with black and white marble stripes and statues of Spinola family members in niches.

  4. Basilica of Santa Maria delle Vigne

    4Basilica of Santa Maria delle Vigne

    The basilica takes its name from the vineyards, the vigne, that covered this area when the first church was built in the Middle Ages. Its Romanesque bell tower survives from the medieval church, while the interior was remade in Baroque style in the 17th century.

  5. Palazzo San Giorgio

    5Palazzo San Giorgio

    Built in 1260 for Guglielmo Boccanegra, this palace by the Old Port later housed the Bank of Saint George, one of the oldest banks in Europe. Tradition says Marco Polo was held prisoner here in 1298 and dictated his travels to Rustichello da Pisa. The sea-facing façade is painted with Saint George slaying the dragon.

    Read the full story →

  6. San Lorenzo Cathedral

    6San Lorenzo Cathedral

    Genoa's cathedral, consecrated in 1118, has a façade of black and white marble stripes guarded by stone lions. Inside you can see a British naval shell that hit the church in 1941 and did not explode, and a chapel dedicated to John the Baptist, the city's patron saint.

  7. Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

    7Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

    From the 14th century this palace was the seat of the Doges, the elected rulers of the Republic of Genoa. After a fire in 1777 the architect Simone Cantoni gave it its neoclassical façade, and the medieval Grimaldina tower beside it was used as a prison. Today it hosts exhibitions and events.

  8. Piazza De Ferrari

    8Piazza De Ferrari

    Genoa's main square is named after Raffaele De Ferrari, Duke of Galliera, a 19th-century benefactor of the city. Its large bronze fountain dates from 1936, and around it stand the Teatro Carlo Felice, the former stock exchange and a side of the Doge's Palace, with Garibaldi on horseback nearby.

    Read the full story →

  9. Porta Soprana

    9Porta Soprana

    The two tall towers of Porta Soprana were part of the walls built in 1155 to defend Genoa against Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. Also called Porta di Sant'Andrea, the gate was one of the main entrances to the medieval city.

  10. Christopher Columbus' House

    10Christopher Columbus' HouseFinish

    Just below Porta Soprana stands a small ivy-covered house, rebuilt in the 18th century on the site of the home where Christopher Columbus is believed to have grown up. His father Domenico was a wool weaver. Next to it are the remains of the Romanesque cloister of Sant'Andrea.

53 reviews for Genoa Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour

  1. Rated 5 out of 5

    Alexandra– Switzerland –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

  2. Rated 5 out of 5

    Germany –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

  3. Rated 5 out of 5

    Sarah– United States –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

  4. Rated 4 out of 5

    Frank– Germany –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

  5. Rated 5 out of 5

    Netherlands –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Puzzeltocht door het historisch centrum van Genua was erg leuk om te doen.

  6. Rated 4 out of 5

    Sandra– Switzerland –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Gute Art eine Stadt kennen zu lernen, man kommt an den wichtigsten Orten vorbei. Rätsel teils unklar, was gemeint ist.

  7. Rated 5 out of 5

    France –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Parfait sauf pour trouver certains lieux comme le palazzo ducale.

  8. Rated 5 out of 5

    Federica– Germany –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Attività divertente per conoscere Genova passando qualche ora a giocare con gli amici e famiglia

  9. Rated 5 out of 5

    France –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Cela la visite très ludique. Les enfants et les grands ont apprécié.

  10. Rated 5 out of 5

    Elena– Italy –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Attività molto carina per girare il centro città e scoprire curiosità e info

  11. Rated 5 out of 5

    Nathalie– France –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    C’était très bien. Ça permet de ne pas se demander ce qu’on veut voir, on se laisse guider au travers des plus beaux endroits de la ville. Par contre, je ne vois pas l’utilité de prendre 3 billets. On était finalement tous sur le même téléphone.

  12. Rated 4 out of 5

    Martina– Switzerland –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Gute Idee, Informationen etwas trocken.

  13. Rated 5 out of 5

    Annie– United Kingdom –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    The boat was good there was lots of space outside so you could enjoy the views. Everything ran very much on time and we had just the right amount of time to walk around Portofino with a gelato then sit down for a drink.

  14. Rated 5 out of 5

    Germany –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Hat uns wieder sehr gut gefallen, viel gelernt und erkundet in Genua

  15. Rated 5 out of 5

    Gilles– France –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Dommage que la batterie de mon téléphone se soit déchargée aussi vite. Pas pu résoudre la toute dernière énigme.

  16. Rated 4 out of 5

    Germany –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Esperienza davvero carina, l’ho fatta con mio figlio (siamo Genovesi), un buon modo per conoscere alcune curiosità sulla città coinvolgendo i bimbi, unica pecca, non un dettaglio, non abbiamo potuto risolvere l’ultimo enigma a causa della vegetazione che ricopriva il monumento, mi sono dovuta ingegnare, ma mettendendomi nei panni di un turista sarebbe stata una vera figuraccia per il comune!

  17. Rated 5 out of 5

    Italy –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Divertente e coinvolgente per adulti e ragazzi

  18. Rated 4 out of 5

    France –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Toujours agréable de faire des chasses au trésor avec vous. Cela permet de voir les points intéressants des villes en un temps record. Idéal et très ludique pour des ados qui n’aiment pas marcher !

  19. Rated 5 out of 5

    Rich– United Kingdom –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    A great way of seeing the city with added interest of solving the puzzles

  20. Rated 5 out of 5

    Switzerland –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Interressante Tour, ich habe zwar eine Aufgabe nicht verstanden. Durch stöbern auf den Strassen von Genova habe ich viele interressante Entdeckungen gemacht, somit empfehle ich, die Aufgaben über mehrere Tage zu lösen und die spontane Intuition nachzugehen. Es kann pausiert werden. Bitte darauf hinweisen, dass man eine Akku unbedingt dabei haben muss( GPS an, durch den ganzen Tag). Tourenempfehlung: -Hafenbereich ( Altes Holzschiff, Museum/Globe/Bigo -aussen, damit kein Kaufzwang); Schiffstour-> Lanternagegend entdecken; ->Aufzüge wie Balbi, Righi, Observatorium usw.

  21. Rated 5 out of 5

    Belgium –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Great way to explore the city.

  22. Rated 3 out of 5

    France –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Balade sympa mais problèmes avec l’appli : nous avons acheté 2 codes pour pouvoir évoluer à 2 équipes, 1 seul a fonctionné !!!

  23. Rated 5 out of 5

    Italy –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Veramente ben fatto! Un modo nuovo e divertente per visitare la città x grandi e piccini.

  24. Rated 5 out of 5

    Italy –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Tour preparato nelle migliori vie di Genova. La complessiva è stata adeguata e il gioco è divertente.

  25. Rated 4 out of 5

    Kathrin– Switzerland –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Interessanter Rundgang, schöne Orte

  26. Rated 4 out of 5

    Belgium –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Goede manier om de stad te leren kennen.

  27. Rated 4 out of 5

    Netherlands –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Het is een leuke manier om de stad en zijn geschiedenis wat beter te leren kennen. Nadeel is dat Google Maps soms wat moeite heeft je precies te lokaliseren door al die hoge gebouwen en je daardoor af en toe wat extra meters heen en weer maakt maar verder was het ook voor onze 8-jarige leuk om te doen.

  28. Rated 4 out of 5

    Italy –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Bella idea per scoprire una città,soprattutto con bambini e ragazzi,peccato solo per alcune domande non chiare..

  29. Rated 5 out of 5

    France –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Chasse super bien conçue, donne un but à la visite de la ville. Les monuments proposés sont juste à couper le souffle. Je recommande vivement, Gênes étant une ville magnifique au centre.

  30. Rated 5 out of 5

    Switzerland –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Durch die Schnitzeljagd haben wir sehr viel von Genua gesehen. Teilweise waren die Rätselaufgaben nicht immer ganz klar, dies spielte aber nicht wirklich eine Rolle, da es Hilfestellungen gibt oder man auch ein Rätsel überspringen kann. Uns hat es Spass gemacht.

  31. Rated 4 out of 5

    Netherlands –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Leuk om te doen, loopafstanden tussen objecten zijn in afstand en tijd goed te doen. Je komt echt op plekken in de stad waar je anders zelf niet zou komen, een echte aanrader!

  32. Rated 4 out of 5

    France –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Très bonne activité ludique pour découvrir la ville

  33. Rated 5 out of 5

    Netherlands –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Erg leuk om te doen. Je komt op plekken waar je anders misschien niet komt en met de puzzels er tussendoor kijk je anders naar de gebouwen.

  34. Rated 5 out of 5

    Belgium –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Leuke manier om Genua te verkennen. Fijne stadswandeling!

  35. Rated 5 out of 5

    Greece –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    So nice experience!

  36. Rated 5 out of 5

    Greece –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    It was an amazing experience.

  37. Rated 4 out of 5

    Belgium –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Leuke manier om deze stad te leren kennen. De moeilijkheid van de raadsels was ideaal, niet te moeilijk en niet te makkelijk.

  38. Rated 4 out of 5

    United Kingdom –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Fabulous wandering around Genoa spotting things you hadn’t noticed !! The only downside for us was losing Wi-Fi ‍♀️

  39. Rated 5 out of 5

    Switzerland –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Das war für uns alle viel spassiger als einfach von einer Sehenswürdigkeit zur anderen. Wer gerne rätselt sollte es mal probieren.

  40. Rated 5 out of 5

    Greece –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    It was great fun – really recommend it!

  41. Rated 5 out of 5

    Germany –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    War super

  42. Rated 5 out of 5

    Greece –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Nice experience and easy to understand !! We totally enjoy it!!

  43. Rated 3 out of 5

    Netherlands –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Ingewikkelde, vergezochte puzzels. Informatie over de stad en de gebouwen weinig boeiend. Wel aardige manier om oude stad te verkennen.

  44. Rated 3 out of 5

    Switzerland –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Der Rundgang war gut- die Rätsel nicht immer lösbar wegen Baugerüsten- schade! Wir bekamen aber einen guten Überblick der schönen Stadt. In den engen Gassen hat das Navigieren nicht immer funktioniert und da gab es öfters einen Umweg. Alles in allem war es ein spassiger Tag in der Altstadt von Genua.

  45. Rated 4 out of 5

    Israel –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Muy interesante la experiencia, me parece que falta más información sobre los lugares y algunos lugares están en construcción

  46. Rated 4 out of 5

    France –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Pas mal comme visite, certains bâtiments en Rénovation donc difficile de faire l’énigme..

  47. Rated 4 out of 5

    Italy –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Die Rätsel waren eine ziemliche Herausforderung für uns haben aber Dinge dabei erfahren die in keinem Reiseführer stehen und die Gebäude mit anderen Augen betrachtet. Insgesamt war die ganze Familie begeistert.

  48. Rated 5 out of 5

    Germany –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Dieses Spiel war sehr interessant und informativ. Alles in der Nähe, super zu Fuß zu erreichen. Leider manche Sehenswürdigkeiten am renovieren, somit nicht leicht zu finden. Und manche Aufgaben etwas schwierig, aber dank der Lösungsfunktion kann man einfach weiter machen. Wir fanden es super und können es weiter empfehlen.

  49. Rated 5 out of 5

    Germany –

    Collected on GetYourGuide

    Nette Aktivität für kleinen Preis um eine Stadt kennenzulernen.

  50. Rated 5 out of 5

    Geroge –

    We loved the route it was really nice. Genoa has an amazing old city. The buildings and plazas are amazing. The game was very well thought and everything was running smoothly!

Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the game through Genoa's old town?

Around 2 hours pass between the first riddle at San Siro and the last one at Columbus' House. The walking itself takes only some 30 minutes over 2.3 km and 10 stops, because the stops in the caruggi sit close together, and the rest of the time goes on riddles, stories and looking up at the palaces. If your legs need a rest after the climb towards Via Garibaldi, pause and finish the remaining stops another day.

Where in the old town do we begin, and at which house do we finish?

It begins at the Basilica of San Siro, Genoa's first cathedral, in the alleys of the old town, and ends at Christopher Columbus' House just below the towers of Porta Soprana. Arriving by ship at the port? In the app you can open the game at Palazzo San Giorgio instead.

Is there a guide, or a time we have to turn up?

You meet nobody and keep to no timetable in Genoa. Each player gets a ticket online, the booking reference lands in your inbox, and once it is in the World City Trail app the old town is yours on whatever day and hour you choose, with the riddles showing on every phone in the team.

Will we have to pay to get into the cathedral or the Doge's Palace?

No ticket office is part of the game, since every riddle is answered from the street or the square in front of the building. The exhibitions inside the Doge's Palace and the small museum in Columbus' House are separate paid visits you can add before or after.

Will children enjoy a game in Genoa's alleys?

They usually do, as long as an adult plays in each team, because along the way they meet the legend of the basilisk at San Siro, the stone lions in front of San Lorenzo, the dragon painted on Palazzo San Giorgio and the two medieval towers of Porta Soprana. Because the caruggi climb and narrow, wheelchairs cannot manage the route and a pushchair makes it hard work.

Is English the only option for the riddles in the caruggi?

No: the riddles of San Siro, San Lorenzo and Porta Soprana can be played in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish or Dutch. Players set their own language in the World City Trail app, so one team can mix Italian and German without anyone missing a clue.

Does the game work for team building or a larger group?

It does: split into teams of up to five, each person with a ticket and their own phone, and send the teams off from San Siro a few minutes apart. Everything happens in public streets and squares, and the finish at Columbus' House is a short walk from Piazza De Ferrari, where you can meet for a drink.

What should we bring for Genoa's steep lanes?

Comfortable shoes with good grip, because the caruggi go up and down and the stone paving can be slippery after rain. Add a charged phone with mobile data, ideally a power bank, and in summer some water and a hat for the open squares.

San Siro holds the opening riddle

Everyone in the group needs their own ticket, bought online, and the reference number arrives by email straight after. On the day you choose, head into the alleys of the old town to the Basilica of San Siro and open the first riddle.

Book your tickets →

Related products

Shopping Basket
Scroll to Top