Although the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata del Vastato was begun in the 16th century, the interior was finished almost a century later, at the height of the Baroque period. The richly frescoed and gilded ceiling and dome are the headliners here, with works by some of the most celebrated artists in Genoa in the 17th century. The Neoclassical facade, however, was added in the 19th century, although the original was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt after the war.
The basilica is a popular stop on private city tours or hop-on hop-off bus tours, along with the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Palazzi dei Rolli, Doge’s Palace, and historic port (home to Genoa’s Aquarium, the largest in Europe). Genoa tours can be combined with day trips to nearby destinations along the Ligurian coast, including Portofino, the Cinque Terre, and Santa Margherita Ligure.