Learn Italian in Genoa

Why learn Italian in Genoa?

Genoa is a captivating, unspoilt city with a truly Italian character, making it the ideal place to learn Italian. Once one of the world’s most powerful maritime republics, Genoa still bears the marks of its glorious past through its grand palaces, ancient port, and labyrinth of medieval alleyways known as caruggi. These winding streets open into sunlit squares framed by colourful townhouses that overlook the sparkling Ligurian Sea. From the panoramic lift Il Bigo, built in homage to the city’s seafaring tradition, visitors can admire breathtaking views that perfectly capture Genoa’s timeless charm.

As the capital of Liguria, Genoa is a city rich in authenticity, history, and cultural depth. It offers an experience that combines the elegance of its past with the energy of modern life. The name “Genoa” is thought to derive from the Latin janua, meaning “door,” symbolising the city’s role as a gateway to the Mediterranean and beyond. For centuries, travellers and traders have passed through its port, leaving behind a tapestry of influences that shaped its vibrant identity. At our school in Genoa, we embrace this spirit, inviting you to make Genoa your own doorway to Italian language and culture, where learning becomes both personal and transformative.

There are countless reasons to study Italian in Genoa. Students can enjoy an authentic environment, far from overcrowded tourist centres, and practise their Italian daily with welcoming locals. The city’s vast UNESCO-listed historic centre and the magnificent Palazzi dei Rolli offer endless opportunities for exploration and inspiration. You can study with views of the Ligurian Sea, taste world-famous dishes like pesto alla genovese and focaccia, and immerse yourself in festivals, concerts, and local traditions that bring language to life.

Genoa also provides the perfect balance between quality education and everyday comfort. It is a safe, accessible, and well-connected city, with a strong academic heritage and an active international community. Its strategic location, close to Milan, Florence, Turin, and the French Riviera, makes it easy to explore Italy and beyond. Whether you’re drawn by its history, cuisine, or coastal beauty, one thing is certain: to learn Italian in Genoa is to open the door to an unforgettable cultural experience.

Our school in Genoa

Our school in Genoa is in a charming nineteenth-century building in the city centre, combining historical elegance with modern comfort. Students enjoy bright, spacious classrooms equipped with air conditioning, as well as a welcoming area for relaxation and refreshments, complete with coffee, soft drinks, snacks, newspapers, magazines, and a Wi-Fi-enabled Internet corner. A well-stocked library and a friendly reception team provide further support, offering tourist guidance and cultural insights to enrich the learning experience.

The Italian courses at our school cater to learners at all levels, from A1 beginners to C2 advanced students, in a lively environment where multiple languages and cultures come together. Classes are based on a communicative approach, blending listening, games, written and oral exercises, and interactive activities to encourage practical use of the Italian language. Teaching materials are continuously updated and tailored to each student’s goals, ensuring lessons are engaging, relevant, and effective.

The teaching staff are highly qualified native Italian speakers and are all certified in teaching Italian as a foreign language. They work closely together to uphold excellent academic standards and embrace a philosophy of lifelong learning and ongoing professional development. The school’s administrative team provides complementary support, assisting students with accommodation enquiries, cultural programmes, and local activities, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience from start to finish.

Our Genoa school is accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR), ASILS, and EDUITALIA. It offers dedicated programmes to help students prepare for CELI and CILS exams and serves as an official CELI exam centre. The school is approved for study grants for the Swedish CSN board and recognised in Berlin, Hamburg and Hessen for Bildungsurlaub.

Beyond the immersive classroom, students can take part in a wide variety of cultural and leisure activities designed to enrich their understanding of Genoa and its surroundings. Since its founding in 2002, the school has welcomed thousands of international students, offering a great range of courses, from general and intensive Italian group lessons to individual tuition, executive courses, combined group and private programmes, and Italian courses paired with cultural experiences such as cooking, diving, and photography.

Location of our school in Genoa

What accommodation is available in Genoa?

Staying with a Host Family in Genoa is a great way to experience life in Italy whilst practising Italian outside of the classroom. Families can be traditional households, childless couples, or single individuals, accommodating one to four students. Students have a private room, with the option to share if travelling with a friend or relative and can use the kitchen for snacks and evening meals. Self-service breakfast is included, and half-board options are available on request. Families offer affordable meal plans and a chance to live with a native and sample local cuisine. Homestays are carefully selected for comfort and cultural immersion, usually five to twenty minutes from school by public transport. A €200 security deposit is required at check-in, returned at check-out. The accommodation options in Genoa being on the Sunday before classes start and ends the Saturday after classes finish, unless you require extra nights on arrival or departure.

Our Genoa Shared Apartments offer a private bedroom while sharing kitchen, bathroom, and living areas with other students or the owner. Located 10-20 minutes by bus from school, apartments typically have two to four rooms, furnished kitchens, living rooms with TV, and laundry facilities. Bedrooms can be single or double occupancy. Rent includes all utilities, heating, and weekly check-in/check-out services. A one-time cleaning fee applies (€25 for single rooms, €40 for double rooms), and a €100 deposit is required. Shared apartments provide a sociable environment with independence, allowing students to enjoy city life while living comfortably close to the school.

Private Apartments, including studios, are ideal for students who want more independence and privacy during their stay. Located in the city centre, they are usually a 10-to-20-minute walk from our school. Private apartments can accommodate up to two students booking together and feature your own bathroom, kitchen/kitchenette, Wi-Fi, laundry, TV, air conditioning, and heating. The price you pay includes utilities, bed linen, towels, and a check-in/check-out service. A final cleaning fee of €80-90 will apply, along with a refundable deposit of €300. Exclusive apartments for families are available on request for those seeking complete privacy, whilst offering convenience and independence in central Genoa.

If none of the accommodation options above are suitable for you and you would like to book a hotel, then do let us know as our school works with several located near the school with preferential discounted rates which vary depending on the season, duration and category of room.

Available activities in Genoa

At our Italian school in Genoa, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. To complement your course, we offer a lively program of extracurricular activities designed to help you practise Italian in real-life situations while enjoying the city and making new friends. From casual conversation over aperitivo to guided museum visits with teachers, our activities provide a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to improve your language skills naturally. Whether it’s watching a film, attending a theatre performance, or participating in a song workshop, every activity gives you the chance to experience Italian culture first-hand.

Genoa itself is a vibrant and historic city, full of charm and attractions for students of all ages. Our regular activities include a welcome tour of the city’s ancient streets, visits to the world-famous aquarium, and optional seminars on Italian culture. You can also join cooking classes, wine tastings, nature hikes, and dinners in local restaurants. For those looking to explore further, full-day excursions take you along the Italian Riviera to destinations such as Portofino or the stunning villages of the Cinque Terre. These experiences combine sightseeing, cultural immersion, and opportunities to speak Italian in a natural, enjoyable way.

Living and studying in Genoa is a unique opportunity to combine Italian language learning with cultural discovery. The city’s vibrant arts scene, historical landmarks, and lively social life provide the perfect backdrop for improving your Italian. Our programme is designed to balance study and leisure, ensuring that every student has the chance to practise their language skills, explore the region, and make lasting memories while enjoying all that Genoa has to offer. Outside of the activities offered by the school our friendly staff are always on hand to provide students with useful information to arrange their own trips!

How to get to our school in Genoa

Upon your arrival in Genoa, our school will gladly collect you from either Genoa Airport or Genoa train station, although this service is not included in the price of the course.