White Palace (Palazzo Bianco)

This palace was built for the Grimaldi family between 1530 and 1540 and is now a haven for serious art lovers. The Palazzo Bianco boasts a vast collection of 15th to 18th century French, Spanish, Dutch, Flemish and Italian paintings with highlights including Rubens’ Venus and Mars, Van Dyck’s Vertumna e Pomona and, absolutely not to be missed, Caravaggio’s Ecce Homo. There are also works by Memling, Veronese, and Lippi as well as local Genoese artists like Cambiaso. On the higher floors is a small but fascinating collection of 19th and early 20th century clothing.There are lots of steps but ask the guides if you need to use the lift. Audio guides, at €4 from the ticket office, are excellent and recommended if you want to know more. A great opportunity to mix serious art watching with snooping around the Grimaldi’s gardens, courtyards and palace. From the rooftop garden pass straight into Palazzo Doria Tursi. The ticket includes entry into Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco and the city hall, Palazzo Doria Tursi.