Liguria: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
The coastal region of Liguria in northwestern Italy offers a lot of variety for vacationers with its fine sandy beaches, picturesque coastal villages, sophisticated cultural cities, and hiking trails through the mountain landscapes of the Maritime Alps. Highlights of the region include the colorful villages of the Cinque Terre, the Ligurian high-altitude trail, and the upscale seaside community of Portofino, where the international high society meets.
Table of contents
Liguria - The most beautiful cities
Genoa
Genoa's history and cityscape are shaped by the sea. The densely populated coastal strip forms a strong contrast to the quiet hinterland. In the city center, there are numerous testimonies of the glorious past of "La Superba," the remains of the kilometer-long former city wall, up to the Porta Soprana and Via di San Lorenzo. Stroll over the Piazza De Ferrari with the Palazzo Ducale and visit the art museums Palazzo Bianco and Palazzo Rosso in Via Garibaldi. In the west of the city rises the Lanterna, the lighthouse of Genoa. It was built in the 16th century and can be reached via a walking path.
Savona
Visit the Priamar Fortress in Savona and enjoy a magnificent view of the sea. The imposing building towers over the center. Today, numerous events take place here. In the heart of the city is the Cathedral of Savona, known for its elaborate frescoes. Art enthusiasts will be delighted by a visit to the Pinacoteca, where works by Pablo Picasso, among others, can be seen. Savona is famous for its towers: of the 50 towers that were once visible in the city, five remain. The Torre di Leon Pancaldo is one of them.
Portofino
The Piazzetta forms the heart of Portofino. The square is lined with houses with pastel-colored facades and serves as a meeting point for guests and locals. Here you can enjoy a drink and let your gaze wander over the sparkling sea. From the Piazzetta, you can reach Castello Brown. The fortress was built in the 14th century and houses the municipal museum. From here, a path leads to Punta del Capo. The short walk goes through shady pine forests, which repeatedly offer views of the sea. At the end of the rocky headland is the lighthouse of Portofino.
Sanremo
Sanremo is best known for its rose cultivation and the annual music festival. A highlight is the so-called Kasbah, which is an almost oriental-looking part of the old town with winding, narrow alleys. Stroll through the palm-lined streets and admire the many magnificent villas. Worth seeing is the Villa Nobel, the former residence of the Swedish founder of the Nobel Prize, Alfred Nobel. Not far from the villa is the Villa Ormond, surrounded by an extensive park. End the evening at Piazza Bresca and admire the sunset at Porto Vecchio.
La Spezia
Above the old town of La Spezia towers the mighty Castello San Gregorio from the 14th century with its extensive archaeological collection. Among the churches, Santa Maria Assunta stands out with its artistic sculptures and paintings. From modern times comes the striking bishop's seat Cattedrale di Cristo Re at Piazza Europa. One of the most important painting collections on the Italian Riviera is housed in the Amedeo Lia Museum in a former monastery. Discover works by Titian, Bellini, and Tintoretto. Steam, electric, and diesel locomotives attract young and old to the Museo dei Transporti. Visit a concert of the renowned International Jazz Festival of La Spezia in July.
Santa Margherita Ligure
The harbor is the center of Santa Margherita Ligure. Here, fishing boats and yachts dock, and ships also depart for small cruises along the Ligurian coast. On the promenade near the harbor is the fortress built in the 16th century. In the town center, picturesque alleys with a wealth of shops attract visitors. A highlight of Santa Margherita is the magnificent Villa Durazzo from the 18th century. It is surrounded by gardens and mainly serves as a wedding venue. In the bay of Paraggi south of Santa Margherita Ligure stands the Castello Paraggi, from which there is a splendid view over the Punta Castello.
Rapallo
Rapallo is known for its impressive harbor castle. The Castello sul Mare was built in the 16th century to protect the city from pirate attacks. Today, the fortress is considered a landmark of Rapallo. It is located at the eastern end of Lungomare, the romantic waterfront promenade with a palm avenue and colorful Art Nouveau houses. At the western end of Lungomare are the Porta delle Saline, the only remaining of the former five city gates, as well as the monument in honor of Christopher Columbus. Also worth a visit is Villa Tigullio, which houses the Lace Museum, dedicated to the history and production of bobbin lace.
Alassio
The small town of Alassio nestles on the Mediterranean coast of the Liguria region. The mild climate and kilometers of beaches are ideal for sunbathing. Children play in the clear water and build castles in the sand. The Blue Flag seal stands for the clean beaches and excellent water quality. In the medieval old town of Alassio, which dates back to the 10th century, you can discover history and culture. A highlight is the "Budello," a narrow alley with numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants. The Church of San Ambrogio offers a fantastic view over the town and the Mediterranean coast.
Liguria - 5 most beautiful natural sights
Cinque Terre National Park
The Cinque Terre National Park in northwestern Italy is a discovery. The coastal strip stretches over 12 kilometers, where the Cinque Terre towns of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare cling with their tightly packed, red, orange, and yellow-painted houses. You can travel from village to village by train or boat. Alternatively, you can hike over stone steps and old mule tracks through a steep terraced landscape from one Cinque Terre town to the next and enjoy breathtaking views over the sea. Particularly charming is the hiking trail Via dell’Amore between Manarola and Riomaggiore. Vernazza, with its unique harbor bay and ancient castle ruins, is considered one of the most beautiful places in Italy.
Mount Beigua
Mount Beigua is located in the nature park of the same name, known as a hiking paradise. Around 500 kilometers of hiking trails lead through the natural paradise. The Pratorotondo hut invites you to recharge your energy. It offers a magnificent view of the sea and the mountain landscape. The hut is accessible by car. In summer, you can hike on Mount Beigua through cool oak and beech forests. Mountain bikers also get their money's worth. The Beigua Pinotrails, for example, offer various descents. Athletes can expect some jumps. After about 13.4 km, 700 meters of elevation are overcome. A 44 km long tour runs through the entire Beigua nature park.
Palmaria Island
If you were to view Palmaria from above, you could recognize the triangular shape. In the west, steep cliffs shape the coast. In between lie mystical caves like the Grotta Azzurra, which can only be reached by boat. In the Grotta del Columbi, graves around 5,000 years old were found. Be sure to plan an extensive hike on the island of Palmaria. You will encounter a unique plant world comprising around 500 species. Various types of pines alternate with downy oaks and rockroses. If you wish to swim in the sea, Spiaggia Punta Secco in the north is recommended.
Portofino Natural Park
A predominantly rugged rocky coast, which transitions into densely wooded hill ranges inland, characterizes the landscape of the Parco naturale regionale di Portofino. This nature park has existed since 1935 and serves to protect the flora and fauna and the historical heritage, such as several historical water mills. The hiking trail network through the nature park covers about 80 km with tours for every level of athletic ambition. Discover the diversity of species, which, in addition to the typical Mediterranean flora, also offers surprises like shady chestnut trees. A special experience is a boat tour, where you can admire the rugged coastline in all its splendor.
The Caves of Toirano
According to experts, the Grotte di Toirano in Italy were inhabited by humans around 25,000 years ago. In the front area of the cave, there are imprints of human feet, fingers, and knees. During the visit, you perceive strange noises coming from air shafts. They are the reason for the nickname Witch's Cave. During a visit, you enter the Grotte della dei Sura and the Grotte di Santa Lucia, known for their impressive stalactites. It is advisable to bring a sweater on the 1,300 m long tour. In the caves, the temperature is a cool 16 degrees Celsius all year round.
Liguria - Climate
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.