Among all the Italian regions, Liguria due to its strategic position and its limited but varied territory, offers its visitors a lot to see between coastal beauties and inland gems.
Visiting Liguria is therefore an experience that satisfies different types of travelers, from those looking for relaxation, to those who are more enthusiastic for outdoor adventures but also for lovers of art, history and culture.
Let’s see together everything that the beautiful Liguria has to offer discovering, between seas and mountains, all its attractions, from the most famous and iconic to the less known and most authentic ones.
Famous for the Italian song festival, Sanremo is much more than that.
If the coastal area is the most VIP and where there are also luxury pastimes and attractions, its historic center is definitely worth visiting to get a different perspective of the city as it once was.
An evening at the casino and an aperitif with a view, however, should not be missing to spend a few hours of relaxation in the Riviera dei Fiori style!
After Diano Marina we find Imperia and its two centers Oneglia and Porto Maurizio where life unfolds in a relaxed pace but full of events and activities perfectly combined to satisfy lovers of the sea and the mountains.
Imperia is certainly a good starting point to visit some other Ligurian cities nearby without giving up a stay made of tranquility.
Perched on the sea, this medieval village is a real Ligurian pearl that must be experienced.
The village of Cervo is a feast for the eyes with its baroque church, its sixteenth-century buildings, the many cafes where you can taste the typical cuisine of the place but also the craft shops.
Famous for its wall autographed by big names in culture and entertainment, Alassio is much loved for its beaches, for its food and wine culture but also for being the perfect place for relaxing holidays.
Varigotti, with its beautiful beaches such as the Baia dei Saraceni and the Malpasso Beach, is also nature and history with suggestive paths surrounded by olive trees that lead to the remains of the ancient tower and the church of San Lorenzo.
Genoa is the Ligurian city that has always attracted for its culture and its history linked to sacred music monsters such as De André and historical figures such as Christopher Columbus. It is certainly an interesting city for those wishing to visit the entire Ligurian Riviera and an ideal starting point from which to start a wider-ranging on the road itinerary.
Genoa is rich in history and offers an architectural heritage not to be missed with the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the magnificent Palazzo Ducale and the beautiful Palazzi dei Rolli, about a hundred buildings now used as museums, to host exhibitions and events and which every year, during the Rolli Days, they open their doors to the public to be able to appreciate all the treasures and their history.
The port of Genoa is the largest port in Italy and is the main hub for many tourist tours to explore the Ligurian coast and be able to admire it from the sea.
Nervi is one of the districts of Genoa and which best represents the various faces of the Ligurian city. In fact, in this area it is possible to spend a few relaxing hours in a quieter and less chaotic atmosphere of the city center. What characterizes Nervi is the presence of luxurious villas and parks ideal for a few hours of coolness during the hot summer season.
Just 23 km from Genoa stands the beautiful Camogli with its small but particular harbor surrounded by the typical colored houses symbol of the Riviera. Camogli is the ideal destination for a day on the beach and to discover its small town but also as a starting point to explore the surrounding mountains thanks to the paths until reaching other interesting destinations reachable only by sea and, precisely, via Earth.
The Abbey of San Fruttuoso is certainly one of the main attractions not to be missed. It is, in fact, a Romanesque monastery dating back to the year 1000, built close to the sea. There are only two ways to reach it: a walk on a nature trail or arriving by boat by sea. The latter option is certainly the most suggestive and ideal for those who travel with the family and do not feel like venturing on the trekking path.
Portofino is a place not to be missed to be able to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of luxury and luster thanks to the presence of numerous celebrities who flock to the small port of the village every year. Although very fascinating and worth seeing, Portofino is an ideal place for an aperitif or for a few hours of relaxation but not suitable for long stays.
Santa Margherita Ligure is located between Portofino and Camogli and represents the typical Ligurian seaside town. Its port is the nerve center of tourism on the Ligurian Riviera as its port, like that of Genoa, is also a docking place for cruise ships, while its dense vegetation made up of olive groves and pine trees frames numerous bathing establishments and hotels.
Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore make up the famous Cinque Terre Park, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy and now famous all over the world.
In order to visit the Cinque Terre the ideal solution is to use one of the nearby towns as a base for your stay and explore them gradually in an on the road itinerary of a few hours each. In fact, each of the Cinque Terre is perfect for short stays. It is possible to leave by train from a nearby city such as Levanto, and choose the destinations that interest you most but also, when the paths allow it, venture up the paths that connect the lands to do some movement while getting lost among its fantastic views.
The Way of Love
The via dell’Amore is a beautiful walk that connects Riomaggiore and Manarola. It is a very short (1 kilometer) and very easy route, really suitable for everyone! An alternative way to see two of the Cinque Terre without missing a single view!
Porto Venere is particularly close to Riomaggiore and so easy to reach that it should definitely be included in your itinerary. Porto Venere can be reached by ferry and, in addition to its sea and its landscapes, it is known for the Doria Castle and the Church of San Pietro. If you find yourself in Riomaggiore, a stop here is really a must!
