The Salone Nautico di Genova, held every October at the Porto Antico, is one of the largest and most important boat shows in the world. Over 200,000 visitors attend the week-long event, which covers everything from superyachts to inflatable kayaks, from traditional Ligurian fishing boats to the latest racing designs. If you have any interest in boats and happen to be in Genoa in October, it is unmissable.
Even visitors with no interest in boats find the spectacle worthwhile — the waterfront fills with an extraordinary concentration of vessels, and the atmosphere throughout the old port area is unusually festive. Tickets are available online; the Saturday is the busiest day.