The largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean, set in Genoa's old port, tracing the city's seafaring history with a full-scale Genoese galley, a real submarine, and galleries on emigration and Atlantic crossings.
The Galata Museo del Mare occupies the oldest building of the Genoese arsenal in the Darsena district of the old port, and is the largest museum dedicated to the sea in the Mediterranean. Its galleries trace Genoa's millennial relationship with the sea, from the age of oared galleys and the maritime republic through the era of sail, steam, and transatlantic liners. A centrepiece is a full-scale reconstruction of a 17th-century Genoese galley, which visitors can board to understand the cramped and brutal conditions of galley warfare and the lives of the rowers. Further floors are devoted to navigation instruments, shipbuilding, the Atlantic crossings, and a powerful, immersive section on Italian emigration, recreating the experience of millions who sailed from Genoa to the Americas between the 19th and 20th centuries, complete with a reconstructed steerage deck and arrival hall. The museum also explores the modern Mediterranean and contemporary migration, drawing a line between historic and present-day journeys across the sea. Outside, moored in the harbour, the decommissioned submarine Nazario Sauro can be visited as a floating extension of the museum, offering a rare chance to walk through a real submarine. From the rooftop Mirador terrace, visitors enjoy sweeping views over the restored old port, the Bigo panoramic lift, and the city climbing the hills behind. As an interactive and richly documented institution in the heart of Genoa, the Galata makes the city's seafaring identity vivid and tangible.
Why it matters
The Galata documents Genoa's central role in Mediterranean and Atlantic seafaring, from the galleys of the maritime republic to the mass emigration that carried millions from its port to the New World.
Location
Calata de Mari 1, Darsena, 16126 Genova GE, Italy
44.4148, 8.9214 View on map
Highlights
- Boarding a full-scale reconstruction of a 17th-century Genoese galley
- The immersive emigration galleries recreating the transatlantic crossing from Genoa
- Walking through the real submarine Nazario Sauro moored in the harbour
- Historic navigation instruments, charts, and ship models
- Panoramic views over the old port from the rooftop Mirador terrace
Tips for visiting
- Buy the combined ticket to include the submarine Nazario Sauro, a highlight for many visitors
- Allow at least two to three hours to see the museum and the submarine fully
- Visit on a weekday morning to board the galley and submarine without queues
- Combine with the nearby Aquarium of Genoa and the restored old port in one day
- Take the lift to the rooftop terrace for the best harbour photographs
When to visit
Weekday mornings are quietest for boarding the galley and submarine; the rooftop terrace is best on clear days for harbour views.
Accessibility
The museum building is largely accessible by lifts between floors, though the historic galley reconstruction and the submarine involve steep ladders and narrow spaces that are not wheelchair accessible; staff can advise on accessible routes through the main galleries.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go inside a real submarine?
Yes. The decommissioned submarine Nazario Sauro is moored beside the museum and can be visited with the combined ticket, allowing visitors to walk through its interior.
Is the museum suitable for children?
Yes. The full-scale galley, the submarine, and the interactive emigration exhibits make it engaging for families and older children.
How long does a visit take?
A thorough visit including the submarine takes around two to three hours across the museum's several floors.