At Genoa’s Porto Antico, Galata Museo del Mare traces the city’s ties to seafaring through ship models, historic objects and hands-on displays. Walk through a full-size galley, explore the section on Italian emigration, and look for exhibits on the Andrea Doria shipwreck. The visit continues outside aboard the Nazario Sauro submarine, with access included in the museum ticket. Leave time for the rooftop terrace, which looks out over Genoa’s harbor. Interactive activities and reconstructed ships also give children plenty to explore.
Genoa’s port and its ships
Galata Museo del Mare sits in the Porto Antico, Genoa’s old port. Its setting connects the museum to the city’s maritime past: the building stands on the site of a former shipyard where Genoese galleys were built. The structure retains overlapping arches associated with the old dock, where boats were brought in for repairs.
Inside, the exhibits follow the development of the port and the city’s relationship with the sea, from the late medieval period onward. Displays cover shipbuilding, navigation and the vessels that carried people and goods. Period paintings, historical objects and interactive installations help explain how ships and seafaring changed over time.
A galley, migration and shipwrecks
One of the central experiences is a full-size reconstruction of a Genoese galley. You can walk through the vessel and get a closer sense of its layout. Other exhibits use interactive elements to bring navigation and life at sea into the visit, including simulations connected with steering a boat.
The migration section takes you through the experience of Italians leaving by ship for destinations such as the United States. It presents the process of departure and the journeys that followed. Another notable subject is the Andrea Doria shipwreck, covered in a dedicated exhibit. The museum also includes material on Christopher Columbus and the history of navigation.
Activities for children include games and creative reconstructions, as well as opportunities to climb aboard ships and try out parts of the exhibits. This gives families a more hands-on way to explore the collection alongside the historical displays.
Aboard the Nazario Sauro
The Nazario Sauro is moored outside the museum and can be visited with the museum ticket. Inside the submarine, narrow passages lead through spaces used by its crew, including sleeping areas and operational sections. It offers a close look at the confined environment aboard a working submarine.
Collect the required helmets from the front desk before heading out to the submarine. The rooftop terrace is another useful stop during the visit, with views over Genoa’s harbor. The museum is large, and its route through several levels can take time, so plan for a substantial visit if you want to see both the indoor displays and the vessels.
Preguntas frecuentes
Does the museum ticket include the submarine?
Yes. The museum ticket includes access to the Nazario Sauro submarine moored outside.
What are the main things to see inside?
Highlights include a full-size galley, exhibits on migration and the Andrea Doria shipwreck, and interactive displays about ships and navigation.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Allow around 2 to 3 hours for the museum, with additional time if you want to explore at length.
Is there anything to do with children?
Yes. The museum has games, creative reconstructions and hands-on activities, including chances to climb aboard ships.
