Sep 5, 2023
It's worth it - It is not the first time we visit Genoa, but we missed visiting the symbol of the city.
Interesting and informative, it gave us a new point of view on the life and history of the city.
Please note the competence, kindness and young age of the staff.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 12, 2023
A different day - Historic place, well maintained and evocative, recommended for spending a different day in Liguria and then from there you can continue to visit the city
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 7, 2022
Genova IS “La Superba”! - The Lanterna is the symbol and beating heart of Genova, a vibrant and astoundingly beautiful city. The view from the Lanterna is breathtaking.
Review provided by Viator
May 20, 2024
The symbol of the city - About half an hour's walk from the Galata Museum stands the Lanterna, a recognized and undisputedly famous symbol of Genoa which, with its height of 77 meters, is the highest in the Mediterranean.
Its foundation dates back to 1128, but it reached its definitive appearance in 1543 even if a tower of similar structure had existed since the 12th century, born as a watchtower.
In the fifteenth century the tower was used as a prison and guarded, among others, the king of Cyprus, while at the beginning of the sixteenth century the Briglia fortress was built, commissioned by Louis XII for the troops that garrisoned the city.
In 1626 the first stone of what would become a mighty city wall approximately 20km long was laid at the Lanterna and, upon completion of the works (1639), it became the longest city wall in Europe, second in length only to the Great Wall of China!
Today, inside these seventeenth-century fortifications, there are the four "rifle" rooms, a "gallery" and the three "cannon" rooms, where a museum dedicated to the history of the Lantern, the lighthouse museum and lights (think that the Lanterna also works as a beacon for the nearby Cristoforo Colombo Airport!) and it is then possible to go up to the panoramic terrace.
Outside, the Open Air Museum with the Rocca della Lanterna, the Porta Nuova and the commemorative plaque of the A.N.P.I. (2004) in memory of the 15 heroic British sailors who fell in 1945.
In 2001, the promenade that connects it to the city was built, about a kilometer that unites the panorama of the port, taking up the ancient access road from the west through the Porta Nuova della Lanterna.
Enjoy your visit!
P.S.: The museum is open from 10am to 6pm and the entrance ticket costs €8/adult.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 30, 2024
We like it ok - many steps even if it is not possible to reach the top. Obviously there isn't much to see, perhaps with a guide it would gain value.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 23, 2022
Unnecessary strict order of where to go and how, and getting there takes you through the worst part of town. - Going to the lighthouse we expected an experience where we would be able to enjoy the view of the city without any stress.
Getting to the lighthouse on foot from the city center entailed a walk through the industrialized harbor area with little shade and poor directions that make you wonder if you made a wrong turn.
When we got the pathway to the lighthouse itself, our bags were searched and we paid 8€ per person for entry. Arriving at the foot of the lighthouse itself we were told that we had to go through the open air museum before we were allowed to enter the lighthouse itself, upon completion of this (admittedly pointless „museum“) we got into the lighthouse and the museum dedicated to its history. This was interesting and educational until we had to figure out how to get to the unmarked stairs for the ascent.
Once we finally got to the top of the lighthouse, the views were good but not spectacular as we could only access the first panorama plateau, the second one was closed,
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 24, 2021
Closed except weekend??? - That was disappointing. Walked all that way along the port and the gate was locked.
It can’t be that hard to keep the attraction open 7 days a week. It’s a lighthouse for goodness sake. Oh well we did get close, see the photos. And, did get to see the Porto.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 3, 2024
Interesting visit and exceptional panorama but orga all rotten! - Horrible organization: no queue for tickets bought in advance on the internet... what is the point of having an hour visit scheduled on the ticket, if it is 1st come, 1st served??
Arrived at 10:10 for a visit at 10:30, huge queue at the small cabin/ticket office on the way, with ticketless customers and ticketed customers...
So I keep going up to the lighthouse, 300m higher. Up there a person from the lighthouse explains to me that you have to go back down to the ticket office to edit me the 4 tickets corresponding to the tickets and cancel them...! so go back down to the cabin: always big queue, a single cashier, very slow computer and no skip-the-line box reserved 🤨 for customers already holding a ticket!! No but hello?!
A German private guide was dissatisfied, he passed his clients (about twenty??) one by one or 2 by 2 so that they paid!! We encrusted to pass at 10:40 am (for a visit bought at 10:30 am before other visits planned in the day in Genoa)... great experience 🤔🤨😦
Then mandatory deposit, even for handbags! (locked with other people's bags in a large locker, hello the risks of theft...) (well, RAS for us).
Fast but interesting museum, (focus on Genoese emigrants who left for America and Argentina), climbed the steps, and finally superb views of the port and the city of Genoa.
After 2 minutes of photos and selfies, a man, beer in hand! and without badge!! accosts us, to tell us (us 4) to come back down, because another group was waiting!?! Group we met half way down, we could have stayed up 2 minutes more...pfff🙄
The visit is worth a visit, but be patient as long as the organization remains so painful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor