Genoa Boat Show: Tickets, Exhibitors, Where to Sleep (and More Info)

The Genoa Boat Show is an international boat trade fair that takes place once a year (in September) since the 60s, organized by I Saloni Nautici, a company that is part of Confindustria Nautica.

Every year it hosts thousands of visitors and exhibitors and you can admire the most beautiful boats in the world with state-of-the-art accessories.

This event is also recognized by the IFBSO, the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers.

Besides the boat show, the exhibition also hosts business-to-business events supported by the Italian Trade Commission (ICE), a communication campaign of the Show with foreign countries, which boasts the presence of more than 50 journalists from all over the world, who have been contributing for years to promote “Made in Italy” products abroad.

Before we get started, below you’ll find a list of the best hotels and B&Bs to stay at near the Genoa Boat Show 2024.

Useful information about the Genoa Boat Show 2024

Let’s delve into the event and find out together the most important information, such as the location, the dates of the next edition, tickets, parking, and all other useful info.

Where does the Boat Show take place?

The Boat Show is held in Genoa, in Piazzale Kennedy 1, in an area of over 200,000 square meters, with 85% of the areas completely outdoors.

The area where the exhibition takes place has been adapted to be comfortable for all visitors: there is free Wi-Fi and an interactive map that you can access from any device to stay up to date on all events and find your way around the Genoa Boat Show.

What are the dates and times?

The duration is 6 days. It starts on September 19, 2024, and ends on September 24, 2024.

The event is open to the public from 10 a.m. until 6.30 p.m.

Genoa Boat Show 2024 tickets

If you are passionate about boats and would like to visit the Genoa International Boat Show too, you can buy your ticket from June 2024.

The cost of the ticket to attend the event is 23€ (+1€ for the “presale”).

Children under 12 and accompanying persons of visitors with disabilities get in free.

Upon request, it is also possible to have a service for the transportation of the disabled.

If you have any problems purchasing tickets, please ask for help by emailing ticketing@isaloninautici.com

Some info about buying tickets Genoa Boatshow 2024:

• The nominative ticket is valid only for the day on which the visit is booked.
• From the site you can also buy more than one ticket at a time.
• You can pay by credit card or bank transfer.

The pavilions

The structure in which the boat exhibition 2024 is hosted is planned to be divided into 5 areas.

Yacht & Superyacht Area

As you can guess from the name, this area is home to luxury yachts.

I’m talking about yachts with all possible and imaginable comforts and Megayachts that can exceed 100 meters.

It is an incredibly avant-garde dock where luxury boats produced in Italy but also in other countries of the world will be exhibited.

The new boats on display have an innovative design and the latest technological tools to offer the best to all potential customers.

Sailing World Area

If you are a sailboat enthusiast, this is the pavilion for you, where you can discover and learn about state-of-the-art sailboats.

It is an exhibition of sailing boats and everything related to this fascinating world.

You can see on display accessories and technical clothing with the latest products on the market.

The sailboats that are presented differ in their unique style and optimized safety levels.

Area Boating Discovery

Here, the real stars are the outboards: these are inflatable boats over 10 meters long.

In this area, you can admire many interesting novelties in a room that is run with the aim of entertaining and exciting visitors.

Tech Trade Area

This is an area located in a wing on the upper floor of Hall B, where you will find accessories and components.

Aimed at business-to-business activities, this area is suitable for all visitors who like to keep up to date with all the latest accessories.

Living the Sea Area

This area is aimed at a very wide target of people who love the sea at 360 degrees and want to know it in depth and find new ways to respect it.

It is aimed at the nautical tourist and is a space to obtain information on activities related to pleasure boating.

Here you can also do some real “sea trials”.

There are also various associations and institutions ready for an open discussion with visitors about eco-sustainability.

Forum Area

Pavilion B also includes a Forum area, where all the conferences scheduled at Fiera Genova will be held.

Those with Confindustria Nautica, for example, in which all the issues regarding new developments in the world of pleasure boating will be discussed in depth and where policies aimed at helping to improve and support this sector will be discussed.

Other Areas

Rest areas

Since the area is very large, you can find refreshment areas by using the digital maps available at the info points, but you can also download a copy of the map from the official website to have it always at hand.

Nursery areas

These are baby-changing areas. You can find them on the map by searching “fashion toilet“.

Waterfront di Levante Area

All those who will be present at the Genoa 2024 Boat Show can watch the fabulous Waterfront di Levante project.

Starting this year, the event will see a complete renovation of the space in which the event will take place.

The aim is to optimize spaces, making them even more functional and innovative.

It is the redevelopment project of the Levante Waterfront of Genoa, with an exceptional designer: Renzo Piano, one of the most important Italian architects of worldwide fame.

Renovations began in 2020 and are expected to be completed in 2024.

Structural work will expand the boat display area. There will be room for at least 200 more boats.

In addition, a new sports hall is planned.

For those who have been to the Show before, you may notice this year that the wall between quay C and quay E has already been knocked down.

Genoa Boat Show exhibitors

In the Genoa sailing show, you can admire all kinds of boats: they are not only beautiful boats, but they are real jewels of navigation, built with the latest materials and technologies, to offer more and more safety and novelty for fans of the sector.

Visiting the Boat Show you can see up close dinghies, fishing boats as well as beautiful imposing catamarans, and ultra-luxury yachts but also boats with eco-friendly electric motors.

Below I will briefly tell you about the different types of boats present at the Show and you can find the exhibitor list by clicking here.

Megayacht

Depending on the size, there are many types of yachts.

There is the day sailing ones that are the shortest; then we have the weekend yachts, the cruising yachts, and the luxury yachts.

Megayachts are huge luxury ships: they are very long boats that start from a minimum of 30 meters and can exceed 100 meters and are equipped with all the comforts you could wish for.

They are so large that we can find swimming pools, cinema areas and all the services and comforts required by those who have such a boat designed.

This type of yacht is not designed to be sold. It is more frequent that they are designed and customized together with the owner.

As you may have guessed, no expense is spared here, because buyers only want the best!

The security and audio-visual systems are also state of the art and this is a crucial detail because these are yachts designed for long sea voyages and the owners must have all the comforts possible. Just as if they were in one of their incredible villas.

Here we always find many rooms, luxury suites, and many bathrooms; some also have party rooms and golf courses, equipped with biodegradable balls.

Catamarans

The catamaran, on the other hand, is a boat that falls under the multihull section.

These are boats with double hulls that are connected by a structure called a bridge.

Catamarans are typically used to quickly transport people from one place to another along the coast.

Compared to a monohull, half the power of the engine or sail is required to increase speed.

In addition, the catamaran is more stable, easier to maneuver, and very spacious.

It is one of the most chartered boats in the Mediterranean and seas such as the Caribbean.

The reason is that having two hulls, the risk of them capsizing at sea is low, compared to a yacht and it is also faster. These are the advantages it has over a more luxurious boat.

Sailing boats

These boats start from a length of six meters up to thirty meters.

The larger ones are not called sailboats but ships.

They have always been the most fascinating type of boat, making even those who do not know much about boating and navigation fall in love with them.

Note to Genoa Boatshow exhibitors

On the official website of the Genoa International yacht fairs, there is a regulation that is addressed to all potential exhibitors in which it is explained in detail everything there is to know about the setting up.

It is important to know that exhibitors wishing to participate in the event must man their stand for the duration of the event.

For set-up purposes, pass-carrying exhibitors may bring in vans to help with the loading and unloading of stand material and necessary supplies.

Genova Boat Show 2024 Programme

The 2024 schedule will be updated shortly, as it is every year, on the Fiera di Genova official website.

Musical and cultural events are planned to entertain visitors throughout the duration of the event.

How to get to the Genoa Boat Show 2024?

There are many ways to get to the Genoa Boat Market.

The whole city is equipped every year with different types of transport and you can reach the exhibition in any way: car, train, bus, and even rickshaws.

Let’s find out.

By bus

The AMT provides special lines to connect the Show with the rest of the city.

Lines 31 and 10 connect the nearest station (Bignole) to the Fairgrounds, which are 1.4 kilometers from the Show.

While the Genoa yacht show provides the Shopping Bus, a transport service available every half hour and intended for the guests but also the operators of the exhibition.

You can reach the Genoa International Boat Show also thanks to a special train that connects the city center with the fairgrounds and, if you already have a ticket for the Fiera, you pay half price.

But that’s not all! There will also be shuttle buses, and shuttles that can be used free of charge by all those who have a ticket for the exhibition.

By boat

It is also possible to reach the fairground thanks to boats connecting the Show with Genoa’s Old Port.

You have to go up by the Aquarium dock and you will arrive at the Fair Marina.

By car

If you plan to arrive by car, you can take the A12 motorway and take the Genova Nervi or Genova Est exit and follow the signs that will show you how to get to the Genova Nautical Fair.

If, on the other hand, you are on the A10 or A26, you‘d better exit at Genova Ovest.

By plane

For those arriving by plane, you should know that Genoa Cristoforo Colombo International Airport is about 8 kilometers away from the location where the exhibition takes place but, fortunately, there are shuttles connecting the airport to Genoa Piazza Principe (where the station is located).

Where to park to go to the Genoa Boat Show?

The city of Genoa, like every year, will make every effort to ensure that those arriving by car can park in the vicinity of the event.

The nearest car park is in Piazzale Kennedy, just opposite the entrance. The flat rate is 12€ per day.

Please note: parking is only possible after the purchase of at least one entrance ticket to the sailing show

Alternatively, you can park your car in all the other areas surrounding the Genoa Boat Show (Foce, Carignano, and Albaro districts) always at a flat rate of €12.

If, on the other hand, you arrive by car and wish to leave your car for the duration of your stay and then travel by public transport, you should know that there are four interchange zones:

• Park Piazzale Marassi (reachable from the Genova Est motorway exit)
• Park Dinegro in via Bruno Buozzi (reachable from the motorway exit of Genova Ovest)
• Park Molo Archetti (reachable from the motorway exit of Genova Pegli)
• Park of Genova Est (free for the first 24 hours, then 5€ per day)

Where to sleep near the Genoa Boat Show?

Which are the closest hotels or B&Bs to the sailing show?

If you are from out of town, you need to look for accommodation in Genoa.

Ideally, you should find a B&B or hotel near the Fair, but there are also solutions a bit further away that have many advantages.

If you mainly want to consider the accommodation closest to the place where the Genoa Boat Show will be held, you should know that this will take place in the Foce area; therefore, you will necessarily have to look for a hotel in that part of the city.

Here is a list of the best solutions to sleep in Genoa during the Fair.

Elegant Studio Genoa: this apartment is a 2-minute walk from the Fair and offers Wi-fi and free parking (Via Odoardo Beccari, Genoa – 150 meters from the Fair).

B&B Home Grifondoro: it is an elegant structure located a few steps from the Fair of Genoa. It offers free parking and free wi-fi (Corso Aurelio Saffi 7/7 Genoa – 700 m from the Fair).

Hotel Melià Genova: this hotel is another interesting solution for those who come to Genoa with the whole family because it has family rooms; it is a high-level hotel (Via Corsica 4, Genoa – 1.6 km from the Fair).

B&B Hotel Genova city center: this accommodation is very close to the center but not so close to the Salone. The advantage is that you can walk without the stress of looking for parking (Corso Podestà, Genova – 1.7 km from the Boat Show).

B&B Bruxelles Margherita: if you are looking for a more elegant place to sleep then this is for you. But it is not near the Salone (Corso Podestà, Genoa – 1.7 km from the Salone).

Where to eat near the Genoa yacht show 2024?

If you are in Genoa for the Boat Show, you can take the opportunity to taste the typical recipes of this area.

Genoa is a city where there are many tasty dishes to try.

The specialties of this city are many: the stoccafisso, the focaccia, the farinata for the vegetarians, don’t forget the pesto alla genovese.

There is a food court at the fairgrounds, but here’s a list of the nicest places to go with your family or friends.

Osteria Della Foce: this place is charming. It is run by young people and is very elegant. You can taste both land and sea specialties. It is located near the international boat trade fair, so if you spend the whole day walking along the pavilions and you feel tired, you can easily reach it and relax at one of the tables tasting the delicacies of Genoese cuisine. The prices are also average: for a full meal, you’ll pay 26/30€ per person.

Alla Lunga: it’s a newborn restaurant located in a little hidden alley and it’s the ideal place for those who want to have dinner or lunch surrounded by a relaxing and at the same time elegant atmosphere. I recommend ordering fish dishes. It will certainly be genuine and tasty. From the smell of the dishes that will arrive at your table, you will immediately notice their freshness. Here, too, you’ll spend an average of €25 per person.

7 Sensi: If, on the other hand, you have more pretentious tastes and want to taste some local but fusion cuisine, this is the place for you. The 7 senses is a small restaurant born recently but has already made a name for itself for its ability to mix flavors of the Liguria region with trends from Africa and other exotic areas. And you won’t spend much here either.

Le Rune: for all those who like more refined dishes, nouvelle cuisine, and gourmet cuisine, have a look at Le Rune (they are also on the “Michelin” guide for their refined cuisine).

Santa Monica Restaurant: a restaurant located in Corso Italia (ideal for those who arrive at the Fair in pairs and want to spend a romantic evening). From the table in the restaurant, you can admire a fantastic view of the sea of the city. The specialties here are fish dishes and since we are in Genoa we can not miss them. Here the average for a full meal is a bit higher. We are talking about 40€ per person. But considering that it is a kitchen of seafood dishes with fresh catch, are acceptable prices.

Genova Yacht Show: frequently asked questions

In this paragraph, we will find the most frequently asked questions by people planning to go to the Genoa International Boat Show.

History of the Genoa International Boat Show

The Fiera Nautica Genova was born in the sixties. Initially, it was a small event that covered a much smaller area.

Over the years, success has multiplied to the point that it has grown from thirty thousand square feet to two hundred thousand.

In the beginning, the exhibition was held in Milan and was called Salone Internazionale della Nautica and was a branch of the “Fiera Campionaria“.

In 1962, the second year, it was moved to Genoa and changed its name to Salone Nautico.

The history of the Nautico di Genova is fascinating and full of vitality that becomes the main element with which the stages of its evolution are climbed and that has made it become the reference point of the European, if not world nautical.

The date of birth, to be precise, was 27 January 1962. In an area of 30,000 square meters, there were almost 600 exhibitors, both foreign and Italian. The ticket to enter the exhibition cost 250 lire. It was a niche event where personalities such as Olivetti, and Giovanni Agnelli but also architects, admirals, ship owners, and English lords were present.

In 1964 the Fiera di Genova became part of the FBSO and ministers also began to take an interest in the exhibition.

At that time the financial situation was not the best.

Here began the first debates on the various techniques of sailing, “motorboating”, and soon technical conferences and reviews on everything that revolved around boating, became fixed appointments with the presence of hundreds of journalists.

Gradually, the exhibition became a prestigious event that no shipyard could miss.

It was one of the most important showcases that allowed showing their boats to visitors from all over the world.

In 1985 8 million people arrived and the tourist associations proposed funding to fix the marinas where the exhibition took place.

Today, the Genoa Boat Show can be defined as a unique event worldwide. There are no exhibitions of the same magnitude, which every year have the same number of visitors and exhibitors.

All these reasons, which have brought the Genoa Boat Show to its current level, make us say, without fear of contradiction, that the Genoa International Boat Show is unique in the world.

During the pandemic period which especially affected the year 2020 and 2021 also Fiera del Mare Genova had to adapt to the national regulations to prevent the spread of Covid contagions.

Despite the uncertain and worrying air, this event has managed to confirm itself as an unmissable event for all boat enthusiasts.

There were many visitors, and the event proved to be a symbol of an Italy that wants to react to a critical historical and social moment without precedent.

History of Pavilion B of the Genoa Boat Show area

Pavilion B is nicknamed by all as the “Blue Pavilion” from the color of its roof which was supposed to be inspired by the color of the sea or the Jean Nouvel Pavilion, from the name of its creator who designed it to replace the previous one which dated back to 1962 and was now too old for the exhibition.

It was inaugurated in 2009 together with the Palasport building.

The original 1962 structure had two sections.

One had two galleries and was exposed to the seaside; while the second, newer part was huge (more than 10 thousand square meters).

When work began, the 1960s pavilion was torn down but in 2008 there was a serious collapse of the entire metal structure which was 50 meters long and 20 meters high.

Fortunately, there were no injuries but work was temporarily suspended.

The very expensive design called for a rectangular blue mirror roof. But a “painted sheet metal” one was put on and never replaced.

This pavilion was used for the funerals of the victims of the Morandi Bridge collapse and also as an area for vaccinations during the pandemic.

The structure opened in 2008 has 35 thousand square meters divided into three floors.

The central floor, facing the sea, is occupied by offices, while the other two levels are dedicated to the display of boats.

Inside there are two huge exhibition halls that have a ceiling of completely blue mirrors, reminiscent of the color of the sea.

Levante Waterfront Project: the new Boat Show starting in 2024

In 2017, the architect Renzo Piano gave the city of Genoa a project to renew the area of the Nautical Exhibition: it is the Waterfront di Levante plan.

A new “dock” will be created that will be connected to an urban park by bike paths.

The road from Corso Italia to Porta Siberia will be continued, there will be new residential areas, the former Nira will be demolished and the new Pilot Tower will be built.

This project will give the structure a new, more modern, and practical style.

The project was commissioned by Genoa City Council and will transform Pavilion B into an area surrounded by water channels.

Residences will be created between the two buildings and the Palasport will be completely modernized.

Pavilion B will be connected to the ground via three bridges, only one of which will be fixed. The other two will be removable.

The movable structural parts will be functional to ensure boats can cross the canal.

There will also be bicycle and pedestrian paths connecting the marine area to the green areas in the vicinity. At the same time, they are reclaiming the whole area from hydrocarbons.

Three interesting facts about Genoa International Boat Show

• The longest boat ever to be displayed at the International Boat Show is the 5-meter Megasailer Maltese Falcon.
• Until 2021 other historic Pavilions were demolished to make room for more modern structures. I’m talking about Pavilion C and D. The old Marina was also a boat show area that was used all year round as a small harbor. Finally, we remember Pavilion S. This is the “Palasport” of Genoa built in the ‘60s on three floors that hosted sporting events. Pavilion C, Pavilion D. Until 2021 there was also Pavilion D, but it was demolished. Marina. This is the exhibition area that has operated throughout the rest of the year as a small harbor since 1988. It too was demolished last year and replaced by the Waterfront Marina, which measures fifteen thousand square meters and includes both sports and accommodation areas.
• Two Presidents of the Republic have visited the Genoa International Boat Exhibition: Cossiga in the 1980s informally and Mattarella in 2018 officially.

Conclusions

The Boat Show in Genoa is not only visited by naval entrepreneurs or potential buyers of luxury boats.

It is an event in grand style that becomes an opportunity to learn more about navigation and all the innovative technologies that are needed to live life on a boat safely and comfortably.

The event is always accompanied by other performances such as fashion shows and musical events in a scenic setting that will make you live an unforgettable experience.

People from all over the world come to this event every year because it is managed and organized uniquely and professionally.

This is one of those events worth attending, at least once in a lifetime!

What are you waiting for?!

Genoa Boat Show: contacts

• Boat Show Address: Piazzale Kennedy, Genoa GE
• Registered office: Via S. Nazaro, 11, 16145 Genova GE
• Telephone: 010 576 9811
• Province: Metropolitan City of Genoa
• E-mail: info@isaloninautici.com

Photo credits

• Genoa Boat Show: Salone Nautico di Genova
• Blue Pavillion: Porto Antico di Genova
• Waterfront di Levante: Genovatoday
• Boat Exhibition: Liguria Business Journal
• Programme: Sailbiz
• Genoa Boat Show1973: Genova Città Digitale via Flickr
• History of the Boat Show: Facebook
• East Waterfront: Dils