Segway Caruggi Tour, 2.5 Hours

Overview

Two and a half hours on a Segway, with a training session first, lets you see far more of Genoa than you likely would walking, as one reviewer put it after the ride. The tour starts at noon in the Porto Antico area and keeps the group to no more than nine travellers.

After a driving lesson from the tour leader, the route sweeps past the Old Port, Palazzo San Giorgio, Piazza Banchi and into the narrow lanes of the UNESCO-listed Caruggi district. From there it moves up to Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, through the Galleria Mazzini, and on to Piazza De Ferrari and the Ducal Palace. The ride also passes La Casa di Colombo and the Torri di Porta Soprana before looping back to the waterfront.

The tour finishes where it began, at the Edificio Millo in the Porto Antico, next to the Aquarium and the panoramic Bigo lift. Helmet, rain gear if needed and the Segway itself are all provided. No prior experience is required, and reviewers praise the tuition as easy to understand.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Edificio MilloMeet at Calata Cattaneo 18 in the Porto Antico, beside the Bigo panoramic lift and near the Aquarium. The tour starts at 12:00.
2. Segway trainingA driving school session with the tour leader before setting off. Helmets are provided, and waterproof apparel is supplied if it rains.
3. Old Port and San GiorgioPass by the Porto Antico and the Palazzo di San Giorgio as the group heads toward the old town.
4. Caruggi and Piazza BanchiGlide through the UNESCO-listed Caruggi lanes and past Piazza Banchi.
5. Via Garibaldi to De FerrariContinue along Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, through the Galleria Giuseppe Mazzini, and on to Piazza Raffaele De Ferrari and the Palazzo Ducale.
6. Columbus and Porta SopranaPass La Casa di Colombo and the Torri di Porta Soprana before heading back down.
7. Return to Porto AnticoThe tour ends back at the meeting point, after a relaxed stretch along the seafront. Total duration is 2 hours 30 minutes.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this ride.

• Fitness and pace. You need moderate physical fitness, and the listing advises against the tour for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers, or anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. Reviewers found the pace manageable and the tuition easy to follow.
• Learning to ride. The training session comes first, with an emphasis on safety. Reviewers describe the Segway tuition as easy to understand and say guides were patient with the group. No previous Segway experience is necessary.
• Group size. The tour caps at nine travellers, which keeps things informal. A few reviewers ended up in very small groups and described something close to a private outing, though that depends on how the day books up.
• Weather and gear. Waterproof apparel is provided in case of rain, and one group reported enjoying the ride despite wet weather. Poor weather can cancel the tour, in which case a different date or a full refund is offered. Helmets are included.
• Finding the meeting point. The meeting spot is the Edificio Millo at Calata Cattaneo 18, beside the Bigo lift and an adjacent restaurant, in front of the playground near the Aquarium. One reviewer had real trouble locating the staff, so allow extra time and read the directions in the listing before setting out.
• Kids and luggage. Children under 16 cannot drive the Segway, so this is not a family option for younger ones. Bag storage is available, which helps if you are carrying shopping or day packs. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though it is near public transportation.

Common issues. The biggest complaint in the reviews concerns the meeting arrangements: one reviewer said the directions were vague and they could not find the staff even past the start time, so arrive early with the location details to hand. Another reported the operator changing the start time twice and sending a last-minute text. The tour also depends on good weather, and the standard refund window is tight: cancel less than 24 hours before the start and there is no refund. The maximum of nine travellers means it is genuinely small, and the Segway itself rules out children under 16 and is not recommended for pregnant travellers or those with back problems.

Common Questions