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Castello d'Albertis
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Castello d'Albertis

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See all things to do
Castello d'Albertis
4.5
574 reviews
#15 of 368 things to do in Genoa
Speciality Museums • Castles
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10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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About
The Museum of World Cultures is housed in the Castello D’Albertis, home of captain Enrico Alberto D’Albertis, its creator. After travelling by sea and land between the 19th-20th centuries, the Captain’s home collects pieces of his world in a romantic setting between “Chambers of Wonder” and colonial trophies. His castle testifies to the strong fascination that the distant worlds he had visited exerted on his soul, permeated with Genoese traditions and the love for the sea, as well as curiosity about the unknown and the unventured. But there is more. At the entry of the 16th-century bastion, on which the castle was built, starts a second exhibition, where archaeological and ethnographic pieces are displayed through the dialogue with the peoples who produced them, thus giving voice to multiple perspectives and making our certainties relative. The Castello D’Albertis is not only the home of Captain D’Albertis but our own house.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
574 reviews
Excellent
343
Very good
176
Average
39
Poor
11
Terrible
5
annemn245
Belfast, UK854 contributions
Pleasant visit in a lovely setting with a quirky museum.
Oct 2022 • Friends
Got there using the Ascensore Balbi which was quirky and free!
On leaving the ascensore, the entrance to the castle is practically across the street.
A slight incline to walk up to the entrance which provides some lovely views across the city.
There is a cafe where you can enjoy a coffee or similar.
If you want to visit the castle and museum, then the entrance is €6pp. They provided us with an English guide book which was useful as we walked through the one way system.
We were there on a Friday and it was busy with school groups but it didn't interfere too much with our visit. Downside, just one toilet for each genre off the main entrance hall.
We took our time, enjoyed the views and the quirky exhibits before having a hot chocolate in the cafe and we spent 1hr 45mins there.
Was a pleasant visit while we were in port on a day visit on a cruise ship.
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravelEmmPee
London, UK183 contributions
A curiosity well worth the short walk uphill.
Oct 2022 • Friends
We saw the castle from the viewing platform at the aquarium and were intrigued so decided to investigate further. We had read that there was a special elevator which was part train and part lift, but we were unable to find the start, perhaps it was closed? The castle itself was impressive to behold, clearly a labour of love and with a fun mixture of medieval and more modern styles from the outside. Inside was even more elaborate with richly decorated rooms and objects from all over the world, no doubt the result of a good amount of opportunist acquisition! I particularly liked: the bright blue ceiling with stars; the "mermaid" in a jar; the room that was decorated to look like it was a cabin on a ship; and the views across Genoa.
Written October 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lisa R
Manchester, UK903 contributions
The lift/funicular up is free and so is walking around the grounds and accessing the cafe. Lovely way to spend an hour
Nov 2022 • Solo
I got the ascensore balbi up the hill (entrance on via balbi, next to the big pharmacy on the corner) which was free.
The castle is almost directly in front as you come out of the station and I had a lovely wander around the grounds of the castle (free). The views across the city are great from up there. Instead of going in the castle I had a drink and some focaccia from the castle cafe and sat outside enjoying the views instead.
A lovely (and cheap!) way to spend an hour.
Written November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JJJC_Family
Virginia637 contributions
Mildly interesting - Off the beaten path and off beat
Jun 2022
You often see one of these in bigger cities - a sort of hybrid conglomeration of buildings added to each other, newer and older and stuffed with things to make a museum. In this case it's a lightweight museum of world cultures based on what the owner of the castle did, apparently an explorer and collector of artifacts. From that perspective, it's mildly interesting. The older building, itself, was more interesting, a hodgepodge of rooms and styles. The view from the parapet wasn't bad, but not nearly as good as I had hoped. I don't believe it's the fault of the site, bur rather that the view of Genoa, itself, is not that scenic. If you go to the cafe, check your bill before you pay. It appears we got overcharged, but we only realized it after paying the bill and we were too tired to argue the point.

We did not realize that there was a funicular up and supposedly where it gets off there is a good view. Too bad. It appears we were near the station to go up and that would have probably have been cheaper and better than the cabs we took up and down. Oh well.

The bottom line is that this wasn't bad, but it is not a must see, either ( you could say the same for Genoa, itself ). If you have time to fill, it can be a mild diversion.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stephanie & Anthony
Newark-on-Trent, UK607 contributions
Sunday shelter from the rain
Oct 2020 • Couples
Firstly we came here walking down from Righi which took 15 minutes, all downhill.

We ate at the restaurant, the menu had no English but the waitress translated for us. The food was very good!

Thr rain suddenly became heavy and we ventured into the castles museum. Its just a pity that none of it has any English. It seems the captain had a very ingesting life of adventure and the museum showcases all the items he brought back with him from his travels (guns, spears, pottery and even a japanese mermaid)

Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sylvain G.
Lugrin, France189 contributions
Nice garden, good sightseeing
Jul 2020 • Family
This castle is located on a hill, rather far from the center or from the coast. So you shall go by public transport or by car, as the walk is rather strenuous.

There is a very nice garden, free of charge, with a great sightseeing on the city and the coast.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AnnArborMHT
Genoa, Italy1,665 contributions
Fantastic Castle, Views and Fun Elevator ride!
Mar 2011
Castello D'Albertis which houses the Museo delle Culture del Mondo (Museum of World Cultures) is a wonderful, eclectic residence and a very interesting musuem which will take you to far away distenations, while combining fantastic panoramic views of the city with one of the most quicky means of transportation to reach it on it's hillside perch! The Castello d'Albertis is the former home of sea captain Enrico Alberto d'Albertis and the castle has undergone a meticulous restoration and is absolutely in perfect condition! As a sea captain, Alberto d'Albertis traveled the world and collected many amazing objects which are beautifully displayed in the museum. The castle is in a very peaceful park and easily gotten to from the city center via the ONLY horizantal and vertical elevator in the world! Yes, that's correct!...if you are coming from the port area or city center, at the beginning of Via Balbi is the enterance to the elevator by the Hotel Vittoria in a recessed area from the street... watch for: " Lift-Balbi/Castello D'Albertis Montegalletto". First you will go horizantally into the hillside and then vertically up to the castle; it's an adventure just on it's own! You can purchase tickets at either elevator station for 80 cents or take bus #39 or #40 from Genoa Brignole Train Station and get off at the front of the Museum. The castle is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm with extended hours during the summer. It's closed on Monday. There is also a reasonable priced restaurant on site and opened only on weekends during the winter. Admission to the museum is 6EU with reduced fares for kids, families and in conjunction with visits to other museums. Check out their website at www.castellodalbertis@comune.genova.it. This is really one of Genova's hidden treasures and should be on the top of visitor's lists as it combines so many wonderful elements. Visit and I'm sure you will not be disappointed...or email me for additional information.
Written March 20, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1nnocentsabroad
Driftwood, TX49 contributions
A Unique Experience!
Other reviewers have described this very well!! Suffice it to say that this was one of our favorite experiences in Genoa! We took the elevator right to the castle and would do this again if given the opportunity! Do it!
Written September 15, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daniela
Genoa, Italy44 contributions
Museum Captain D'Albertis
Sep 2014 • Family
This museum contains pieces from the numerous trips done by Captain D'Albertis especially coming from south america. You can reach it by an elevator (Montegalletto elevator) near Principe train station. You can buy a ticket only for the elevator or use a bus ticket (1,5 euro for 100 minute)
Written December 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
drsusanc
San Francisco, CA106 contributions
Great view and a fantastic collection
May 2019 • Couples
So this is the home of a 19th centure sea-faring fellow who roamed the globe and collected stuff. The curators are sensitive to the fact that sometimes what was viewed as "collection" was in essence looting and otherwise taking advantage of those with less firepower. But it's still worth seeing, and the view is 5-star. Bonus points for taking the amazingly cool elevator from port level that goes both horizontally and vertically.
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Castello d'Albertis (Genoa) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Castello d'Albertis
Castello d'Albertis is open:
  • Tue - Fri 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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We recommend booking Castello d'Albertis tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Castello d'Albertis tours on Tripadvisor
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