Boat Show Genoa - The Event
Genoa International Boat Show “Salone Nautico”
The "Salone Nautico Genova" is the largest boat show in the world.
Since 1962 every year in September / October everything is about yachts and sailing ships at the boat show in Genoa.
More than 1,000 boat exhibitors (mostly "Made in Italy", approx. 40% from abroad) are presenting more than 2,500 sailing boats, motor yachts, sailing yachts, ... in all sizes up to super yachts.
The exhibition center of the Salone Nautico Genova is located directly on the sea, which means that more than 150 ships can be visited in the water.
Boat show 2024: date, opening hours & address
64rd Salone Nautico - 19 to 24 September 2024 (10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.)
Address:
The main entrance of the Salone Nautico is located here:
Fiera di Genova
16129 Genoa, Piazzale John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1
Tickets
Tickets for the Salone Nautico are sold exclusively online on the official website:
https://salonenautico.com/en
The price for adults is 19 EUR (price status 2023). Children under 12 are free.
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Arrival by car and parking in Genoa
During the boat show in Genoa, there are enormous traffic jams in the area around the exhibition center due to the enormous number of visitors.
Parking spaces can be reserved online while purchasing the ticket.
However, the parking spaces usually are sold out quickly.
Alternatively, here you can reservate online car parks in Genoa.
Genoa car parks reservate online & save money !
Arrival by train
The nearest train station is “Genova Brignole”, which is located only 1.4 km from the exhibition. Once you get there, you can take the shuttle bus.
Shuttle Bus – Bus Navetta
With a valid ticket for the boat show you can use the AMT buses in Genoa for free.
On the days of the fair there is a shuttle bus with the number "10/ Brignole-Kennedy" that takes you from Brignole main station directly to the entrance of the exhibition at Piazza Kennedy.
The bus connection is active from around 9:30 a.m. It takes only 10 minutes to the fair.
The bus stop in front of Brignole station is marked with a sign and the logo from the boat show:
STOP BUS NAVETTA – SHUTTLE BUS
Opening with light show, music and fireworks
The official opening of the Salone Nautico usually takes place on the evening before the first day of the exhibition with a big spectacle.
In 2022, the opening ceremony was celebrated under the name "Onda su onda" (wave after wave) in the center of the city at Piazza de Ferrari.
After addressing the organizers of the fair and local politicians (mayor and president of the Liguria Region), some free tickets were raffled, that are in high demand.
The highlight was a light show where the palace of the Liguria Region was illuminated with moving images, accompanied by music and fireworks from the roof of the palace.
The show was spectacular, so I advise you to come to the next opening ceremony!
Trends
Italy is the global export leader in superyachts (over 24m). "Made in Italy" is in strong growth, many boat builders celebrate record sales.
In 2022, the main topic was "Boom Green Ships" with a focus on green technologies. Many petrol and diesel engines are now combined with electric motors.
The prices have increased a lot, especially in the sector of rigid Inflatable Boats, a significant increase in prices has been recorded.
Nevertheless, the interest in boats is very high. In 2022 the fair recorded over 103,000 visitors.
Awards ceremonies and flyboards
During the exhibition there are also some events such as the award ceremony for the sailing boat races "Millevele" and "Rounditaly". These regattas start in Genoa and go all the way to Trieste. These events take place on the terrace in the blue building "Padiglione blue".
The terrace offers a beautiful view on the exhibition. If you are lucky you can see the performance of flyboards that hover over the water several times a day and perform acrobatic flights in the harbor basin.
Boat test drive
Some exhibitors of the boat show offer a test drive, which is highly recommended.
I was allowed to ride on the boat TUCCOLI 250 with a SUZUKI outboard motor with 300 hp.
Once the boat leaves the port it accelerates to around 25 knots and rides above the waves, which already feels very fast, top speed for this boat would be 40 knots.
Especially if you sit at the front of the board, you will be shaken up properly. Watch out for your backpack and cap, which could quickly go overboard in the headwind...
Great experience, highly recommended!
VIP lounge
In the blue building "Padiglione blue" you can find the VIP lounge on the 1st floor, which offers from the terrace a spectacular view on the entire exhibition area.
The lounge is furnished with designer furniture and there is also a star chef who spoils guests with multi-course menus.
In 2022, Andrino Poletti (Cookinglabchef) served numerous delicacies, paired with the appropriate cocktails by the sommelier Pellegrini.
In the lounge you can meet well-known personalities such as the mayor of Genoa Marco Pucci, generals from the financial police “Guardia di Finanza”, the organizers of the fair, ...
Ocean Race Genoa
Genoa was the final destination of the Ocean Race in 2023. The sailing regatta ended for the first time in Italy - the "Gran Final" was extensively celebrated with numerous events in the seafaring city of Genoa:
Grand final of the sailing regatta in Genoa, Ocean Race
Further information
Here you can find many other information about the Boat Show: