Genoa Old Town and Via Garibaldi: How to See the Palazzi dei Rolli
Updated October 26, 2026 · 5 min read
Walk Via Garibaldi independently for the façades; take a guide when you want to understand why private palaces once served a public role. The distinction matters because many Rolli buildings are not ordinary museums with permanent daily access.
What you actually get
UNESCO lists 42 palaces within the Strade Nuove ensemble. The system grew from a 1576 register under which selected private residences hosted state visitors. Via Garibaldi concentrates some of the clearest examples, while other listed buildings extend through Via Balbi, Via Cairoli and the old town.
The honest drawback
From the street you can appreciate painted and stone façades, entrance halls and any courtyards that are open. Interior access varies because some buildings are private or used as offices. The occasional Rolli Days open more doors, but they are special events rather than the everyday visiting arrangement.
Our recommendation
The guided tour of four Rolli palaces costs €14, lasts 2.5 hours and has 4.4 stars from 636 reviews. It is worthwhile on a first visit if interiors and historical context matter. Otherwise, walk Via Garibaldi for free and spend the ticket budget on whichever Strada Nuova museum is open and interests you most.
A workable walking route
Begin at Piazza Fontane Marose, walk the full length of Via Garibaldi and continue through Via Cairoli towards the lanes around Via San Luca. This sequence shows the deliberate width and order of the Strade Nuove before you return to the denser medieval fabric. Look through open doorways without treating a private entrance as public access.
If you add a museum, allow the building to be the main event rather than squeezing several interiors into one afternoon. Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Tursi form the Strada Nuova museum group, but restoration and room closures can change what is visible. Check the municipal museum pages on your date.
